By: Brandon

Former Gator Marreese Speights has been exploding in the NBA lately. I remember before he was drafted to the 76ers, there were rumors spreading around forums and other fan blogs that said Speights left too early and how he would stink it up and get thrown around in the NBA. Yeah I thought he left too early as a sophomore and didn’t think he would play at all in the NBA but I guess he proved us who thought that, wrong.

I was shocked when I heard the news on Monday on how well Speights preformed. Marreese saw 24 minutes of playing time, and what he does is go out and gives it all he has to show his coaches and teammates that he can compete and bang with other big men underneath. Speights blew up Monday with 24 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

A very interesting fact you might like to hear is that every single game that Speights was on the floor for 20 minutes or more, the 76ers have won. It looks like coach Tony DiLeo is gaining more and more confidence in Speights. Get Speights in there and let him see 30 to 35 minutes a game. He’s averaging around 8 points a contest and about three boards a game. Speights is also leading in the players efficiency for the 2008-2009 rookies. He is doing exactly what he did at UF his freshman year. Coming right of the bench and putting up ridiculous numbers in such little time.

Speights was a huge loss for the Gators this year. Yeah it would of been nice for him to stay and only be a junior but if I was offered $1.5 million I am sure I would take it. Florida is lacking a big man ever since the loss of the guys who contributed in the back to back National champions. And Speights was the only “true” big man his sophomore year, and Florida is struggling on the boards and in the post.

I am very excited to see how Speights contributes the rest of the season. I am sure he will earn more minutes and hopefully a starting spot as he continues to improve.

Marreese is one of the players who are proud to be a Florida Gator. I came across someone on a Gator forum, and one guy attended a game where the 76ers played the Rockets, and he said Speights walked past him and he gave Marreese a “Go Gators”, and Speights just turned around at him and smiled. It makes me feel good to hear that. And even though his years at Florida were short, they still were sweet.