Many believe the Warriors can’t contend in the Western Conference without Andrew Bogut and there is definitely some truth to that notion. Bogut can defend the paint and gives the perimeter players confidence to press the opposition knowing they have the big Aussie protecting them.
The Warriors need Bogut in the post-season and in the mean time they’ve been finding different ways to win. Marreese Speights is a big reason why the Warriors haven’t missed a beat in Bogut’s absence and yesterday was the perfect example.
Speights finished with 26 points, eight rebounds in 25 minutes of action. Speights deserves a lot of credit for the Warriors’ success. According to Jordan Ramirez, Steve Kerr believes Speights should be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year:
Kerr on Mo: “He’s gotta be a sixth man of the year candidate, right?”
— Jordan Ramirez (@JRAM_91) January 3, 2015
Speights has been a pleasant surprise this year after a disappointing campaign last season. Speights vowed to return better than ever and he’s come through on that promise. He dramatically improves the second unit and has done a good job starting as well.
His ability to knock down the open jumper has made this offense very dangerous. He is able to spread the floor and give Kerr that stretch four he wanted when he first arrived in Golden State. The Warriors are loaded and Speights is yet another weapon who can step up and win the Warriors some games. If he’s able to stay consistent, Speights should be a leading candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Speights has been amazing and he has filled in for the two absent centers so much that it is a shame that he cannot grow about three more inches, and permanently take Boguts job. He already is more reliable than Festus, who cannot seemingly walk to the bathroom without spraining his ankle.