Is Mo Buckets Back?

Marreese Speights was an important part of the Warriors’ championship bench last year. He’s struggled thus far, but is he starting to right the ship?

When he’s on, there are few players on the planet more fun than Marreese Speights. But when he’s off, boy, is it hard to watch.

More often than not, he’s been off this season. Mo Buckets has been No Buckets. The Warriors’ reliable scoring punch off the bench has been nowhere to be seen. After averaging double digit scoring last season, Speights’ production has dropped and he’s looked unplayable for stretches.

The big man scored a season-high 16 points last night in Golden State’s victory over the Utah Jazz. In fifteen minutes of game time, he was +16. With all the Derek Carr and Colin Kaepernick talk in the Bay Area, Speights seemed to want to prove that he has the best arm in the Bay Area and fired a full court pass to a streaking Draymond Green that hit the All-Star in stride. As he exited the game, Oracle Arena gave him a well-deserved standing ovation.

So the question is: is Mo Buckets back?

He could be. Steve Kerr gives him plenty of opportunities. Aside from perhaps Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Speights has the biggest green light on the team. He fires at will from anywhere on the floor, extending his range to the three-point line where he’s shooting 39% from.

Last night was one of his best nights of the whole season as he showcased his whole skill set. Speights is a scorer first and foremost and he put points on the board. While not a great defender, he was able to get set in front of the offense and draw a charge. And, of course, his laser pass. He hit a three-pointer and the excitement that followed was quintessential Speights.

His February +/- was the best it’s been all season, excluding the three first games of the season in October. After averaging under 5 points per game in November and December, Speights has brought up his scoring total and efficiency. His true shooting percentage is at a season-high 59 percent in March. His offensive rating is, by far, his highest of the season at a great 124. In five games, Speights has turned over the ball just twice, a problem that has plagued him all season.

This year’s postseason could be a completely different demon than last season’s. They could face the Houston Rockets in the first round, their opponent in last year’s Western Conference Finals, or Damian Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers. They could get any combination of the Los Angeles Clippers/Oklahoma City Thunder/San Antonio Spurs as they advance on their quest for a repeat. If there’s one thing Golden State can takeaway from last season’s run is that everyone will get their chance.

Speights got an opportunity and came up big for the Warriors last season in Game 3 vs the New Orleans Pelicans. After playing a terrible game early on, Kerr stuck with him and put him in for the Warriors’ last chance at tying the game. Curry missed what would have been a long two, but Speights secured a crucial offensive rebound and found the MVP in the corner and he hit a remarkable rainbow three over Anthony Davis to complete their monumental comeback.

David Lee got a shot in the Finals to provide for the team. Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston‘s efforts were integral to winning the title. Speights will surely be called upon at some point in a situation where the Warriors need to grab a big rebound or they require a spark off the bench.

If Mo Speights continues to improve and make smart decisions with the ball in his hand, then he’ll be the Mo Buckets that makes us all smile in no time.