The Golden State Warriors completely obliterated the Philadelphia 76ers 126-86 last night at Oracle Arena. After the Sixers went up 6-0 to start the game, the Warriors turned it up a notch and never looked back. Quite frankly, the Sixers did not belong on the same floor as the Dubs.
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The Warriors needed the win to maintain a half game lead over the Portland Trail Blazers in the West. For one particular player, this match-up against the Sixers was personal. According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, Marreese Speights is motivated to beat the Sixers because of his former coach Doug Collins:
Mo Speights said he doesn’t have anything against the 76ers — just Doug Collins. That’s enough motivation for him to beat his ex-team.
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) December 31, 2014
Speights spent the first three years of his career with the 76ers. The Sixers hired Doug Collins to replace Eddie Jordan in his third year with the team and the two didn’t get along. Speights’ numbers dipped under Collins and he was traded early on in his fourth season in the league to the Memphis Grizzlies.
A new start and a new head coach was exactly what Speights needed, he flourished under Lionel Hollins and increased his offensive production. He averaged 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds with Memphis and those numbers helped him secure a new two-year contract.
While a member of the Grizzlies, Speights had some comments about Doug Collins. According to Jabari Young of CSN Philly, Speights believed Collins gave up on his players too quick:
“I’m not going to really sit and bad mouth people like that,” he told CSNPhilly.com, “but, I feel like, sometimes he gives up on people a little too quick. He’s an alright coach. Would I say he was one of my best coaches I had? No. My worst? No. He’s an alright coach.”
You can definitely tell that Speights did not enjoy his time under Collins. When he was given the opportunity in Memphis, Speights blossomed, but he feels he didn’t grow as a player under Collins, which is why he has ill feelings against him.
While Collins has not been the coach of the Sixers since the 2012-13 season, Speights has not forgotten the tough times he spent with the organization, which directly involves Collins. He might not be roaming the sidelines, but for Speights, Collins is enough motivation to put up big numbers against his former team.
Last night was no different, Speights put up 23 points in 23 minutes and also grabbed four rebounds, four assists and four blocks. The Warriors won by 40 points and Speights was a happy man.