Marreese Speights Has Been One of the NBA's Most Productive Rookies

Many rookies this season were thrust right into the starting lineup and have performed very well. O.J. Mayo has been a scoring machine for the Memphis Grizzlies, and Derrick Rose has been the top point guard for the Chicago Bulls. But for someone who, at the beginning of the season, was thought was going to have little to no impact, Marreese Speights has defied expectations in Philadelphia this season. After seeing limited minutes early on in the season, Speights has seen an increase in minutes under interim coach Tony DiLeo and because of the injury to Elton Brand. In his last five games, Speights has been on the court an average of 19.8 minutes per game and is scoring 10.8 points per game. Compared to the great power forwards that came out in this year's draft, Speights is right up there with the best. Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat is averaging 24 minutes per game and is scoring 13 points a game. Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves is averaging 22 minutes per game and 7.6 points per ... (link)