Speights Believes Staying Healthy & Humble Will Be The Key

The Warriors had hoped Festus Ezeli would emerge as a solid back-up for Andrew Bogut this season, but Marreese Speights had other plans. The 6-foot-10 big man is in his seventh year in the league and he’s emerged as a productive back-up center, which came as quite a surprise. The Warriors now have depth at the center position, something they struggled with last season.

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After his first three years with the Philadelphia 76ers, Speights has not been able to find his place in the NBA. However, the Florida Gator is off to a great start this season and is relishing every moment. With 71 games remaining, the Warriors must remain focus at the task at hand. When asked about the team’s biggest concern moving forward, Speights responded (via: Diamond Leung):

“Always staying healthy and always staying humble, make sure we keep doing this every night we get a chance to go on the court. That’s the biggest thing.”

Staying healthy will arguably be the most important factor as the season continues. The Warriors entered the 2014-15 season banged up, they are still waiting on David Lee to return from a hamstring injury that has only allowed him to play seven minutes this season. If the Warriors can avoid injuries to any of their core group of players, they will be in great shape when they enter the post-season.

While staying healthy is a no brainer, Speights would also include “staying humble” as a key moving forward. The big man wants the Warriors to stay consistent and not get complacent after a good start to the season. The Warriors must approach every game with the same ferocity they’ve already displayed this year

Speights has been the perfect example of a players who has made the most of his time on the floor. He is averaging 10.2 points per game, which is well above his career average of 7.6. Every single time Speights steps on the court, he plays with great emotion and you can tell he is not taking his opportunity for granted.