Speights has been impressive for Sixers in preseason

One of the 76ers' most impressive players in the preseason has been second-year forward/center Marreese Speights. Much work has gone into his improvement, in which he has become a scoring threat both inside and out. He has consistently been hitting the 10- to 15-foot jumper and has now added some sharp low-post moves, like the baby lefthanded hook he made against the Wizards on Tuesday night.

"I see a relentless, tenacious will to get things done - score in the post, play good defense, get scoring opportunities on the perimeter," coach Eddie Jordan said of Speights. "I see a will and determination to run the offense. He just has a tenacious sort of approach right now, and for his big body, that's good. He's being a little bit more physical at both ends, and we need that presence. Every top-tier team in the league needs that presence. He's shown more than I expected."

Speights is second on the team in scoring this preseason, with an average of 13.7 points per game. He also is grabbing 8.4 boards. Strong numbers, indeed. Even better when you consider he is averaging less than 22 minutes a game.

"He's a great kid; they all are," general manager Ed Stefanski said. "Mo's been told by me numerous times that it's all up to him. He's got a good work ethic. He's got a big upside. We have to give him some guidance, which is there. Will he take it? So far, he's really done well. In the trip to Phoenix [and Mexico] his numbers were just excellent. And [Tuesday] the same thing. If you do his stats per minute, he's got to be one of the top guys in the league.

"It's the preseason, so you have to temper your feelings, but the kid's played really well."

During the recent trip out West, in which the Sixers split two games with the Suns, Speights was monstrous, collecting 32 points and 12 rebounds in a 115-113 loss, then coming back 2 days later to get 14 points and 10 rebounds (in less than 18 minutes of play) in a 116-94 win.

Speights, who turned 22 in August, devoted a lot of time in the summer to make himself a better player, including a lot of pumping iron. He has gained noticeable size in his upper body.

"I'm a year older and I understand the game more," said Speights, who turned pro after two seasons at Florida. "It's a combination of confidence and knowing the league better.

"Last year, I felt at times it was hard playing in a league with grown men. I always thought I could score, and I'm coming into this season trying to be a better defender and rebound more. Get better every game."

And bigger.

"I really just concentrated on getting bigger and strong this summer, that's it," said the 6-10, 245-pounder. "I was in the weight room a lot. I never lifted until I got to Florida, then I sort of got into it. I never liked it. But I like it more now, because I've learned how to work certain body parts. I'll keep lifting all during the season."

And, the organization hopes, keep improving.

No doubt yesterday was a tough one for Dionte Christmas, who, along with Brandon Bowman, was released.

It also was difficult for Jordan and Stefanski to let go of the Temple and Samuel Fels High product.

"Dionte, I can't say enough about the kid," Stefanski said. "We brought him in the summer league, that's why we brought him here. He has to get seasoning, he has to get experience. Is he an NBA player? I think eventually he will be an NBA player. But it takes time to get that."

Added Jordan: "If we have a situation where we need to call somebody up, he would be first in our minds, no doubt about it."

There was a theory circulating that, if the Sixers were going to carry a 14th man, Christmas might fit the bill. The theory suggested that a 14th guy should have a special skill, and Christmas is a good shooter.

But if Christmas was crushed by the news, agent Andre Buck said he has not shown it.

"I told his father that Dionte's the best I've ever seen at handling a situation like this, in terms of the process," Buck said. "It's tough, because it's not a friendly process; there are always guys out there that teams are looking at. And there are guys who were in the NBA last season that are looking around.

"We're not sure yet about what we're going to do. The [Development] League is an option, and if the right offer were to come from Europe, that would be an option, too. We plan to be patient, to take a few days.

"All the feedback I've gotten says Dionte is more than good enough, but more teams are carrying fewer players, and teams don't always want to carry an [extra] rookie who might not contribute right away. All of those factors come into play.

"But as I said, he's really handling this well. In that respect, he makes my job easy."

The roster now stands at 13, with all of the players under contract . . . Swingman Rodney Carney (hamstring) was a full participant at practice yesterday, the first time he has done that in more than 2 weeks.

Daily News sports writer Phil Jasner contributed to this report.