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2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Marreese Speights

ByPhilip Rossman-Reich|
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 30: Marreese Speights #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a three point shot against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 30: Marreese Speights #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a three point shot against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Marreese Speights, Orlando Magic, C.J. Williams, LA Clippers
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 13: Marreese Speights #5 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against C.J. Williams #9 of the LA Clippers on December 13, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Good and the Bad

Per Game Table
G MP FG% 3P% eFG% FT% ORB DRB TRB AST BLK PTS
52 13.0 .395 .369 .519 .727 0.4 2.2 2.6 0.8 0.4 7.7

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/2/2018.

Marreese Speights’ nickname of Mo’ Buckets is fairly accurate.

Ever since the 2016 season, Speights realized 3-point shooting was the best way for him to evolve and stay in the game and in the rotation. Especially in an environment like the Golden State Warriors, that enabled him to try to become that stretch-5. It likely extended his career.

Speights always had more of an aptitude for offense than defense. That had been his whole focus throughout his career. Despite his rugged body, he just was not an able defender. He lacks much athleticism — or lift, like any at all — and is not particularly quick in anything he does. He is not about to get many stops on the perimeter and more mobile players are going to be able to work around him.

The Magic playing Marreese Speights largely at power forward for long stretches of the season thanks to Jonathan Isaac‘s injury, exposed a lot of their defense.

But that was not anything the Magic counted on or expected him to do when they signed him. They signed him to do one thing.

Make buckets.

In a long stretch, Speights did that. He was an effective and solid 3-point shooter. One of the best on the team throughout the season. Orlando could rely on him to keep the floor spaced and defenses honest. The Magic won a few games thanks to the spark Speights provided.

That is about all you could hope for.

His final numbers do not share the profile of a knock-down shooter. The Magic likely relied on him a bit too much in the end. But that is not Speights’ fault.

He was good when the Magic needed him to be good for the most part. And in the areas they needed him to be good at.

More than any other player, Speights was the guy the Magic knew exactly what they were getting. And that is exactly what Speights delivered.

He made 3-pointers, spaced the floor and took a few charges. He just had to do that enough to overcome his flaws. And for the most part, he did.