Golden State Warriors: Player Comparisons to the San Francisco Giants

Marreese Speights – Angel Pagan

Nov 28, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Golden State Warriors forward center Marreese Speights (5) celebrates after his teammate, guard Klay Thompson (11) (not pictured) scores in the closing seconds of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Warriors win 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

This comparison might not have made much sense last season, but given Speights’ ascension into relevance this season, the comparison seems to work. Speights and Pagan are the sparkplugs. They bring energy, passion, and determination to their teams, similar to what Green and Pence contribute.

Not only do they bring positive energy, they also seem to influence how their teammates play too. Their energy is infectious, and if one of them makes a big play, their teammates start to follow their example and step up as well. They’re fun to watch, and they also add a special element to their teams.

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Angel Pagan (16) salutes after hitting a double in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Pagan, as the leadoff hitter, and Speights, as the sixth man, can change the momentum in a game or the outcome of a game in what seems like an instant. They are game changers, which also makes them invaluable to their teams.

It also seems as if both players have truly found their home or their niche with their current team. Pagan came alive when the Giants acquired him. He has played his best baseball since he came to San Francisco, because he was able to play his own style but also feed off his teammates and the atmosphere of AT&T Park. Speights is the same. He feeds off of Oracle Arena and the crowd’s energy, and he is flourishing in the role of sixth man for the Warriors.