Speights:
Man is he big and built- physically resembled D. Howard out there playing with lithely built players like Randolph, Wright and Smith. Speights looks bigger, taller, Longer, more explosive and much more imposing than Jason Smith. Certainly looks like with a few pounds can play center. Quick feet and runs well. Not a gazelle like Thad/Randolph/Wright, but still quick for his size. if those guys are sportscars, Speights was more of a Porshe Cayanne (high performance SUV.)
Quick feet and explosive on decisive drives to the hoop, but not necessarily a leaper- doesn't always finish with dunks when you think maybe he could. Nice touch and fluid body control. Good hands catching the ball, but lost the ball when he tried to make moves. Drew fouls by making quick, decisive moves to the hoop off of good ball fakes.
Performed in spurts where he dominated physically (against smaller competition), and then went stretches where he made little impact.
His low post moves, although powerfull and often able to draw fouls, where very raw. Stripped and stumbled a few times. A very long way from ever being called craftty or skilled on the low block (nothing like Brand) and somewhat mechanical and single-minded on his moves.
Just like the scouting reports- the pieces are all there, but a long way from being able to put it all together. On the plus side, he seems big and strong enough to play effective NBA minutes at PF (maybe C) right away. he will really benefit from going against Brand and Evans in practice. I cant believe a guy with his physical talent was not taken higher- despite how raw he is. But its impossible to say when he will be able to tap into his ability- but he definitely won't be a guy who is scoring off of his low moves anytime soon- even if the potential is there. If this game is any in dication, for this year, it will be more scoring off of dunks and put backs.
