Phoenix Suns: Can Sonny Weems Be The Next Gerald Green?
Three-Point Shooting
In the wake of the 2011 NBA lockout, Weems signed with Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania, but his contract was voided the following March after a season-ending ankle injury. Weems averaged 15.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 15 Euroleague appearances for Zalgiris Kaunas.
In July 2012, Weems signed a three-year deal with CSKA Moscow, helping lead the team to three straight Euroleague semifinals. They were eliminated at that stage all three times, but won third place twice, with Weems eventually becoming the highest paid player in Europe.
For context: Weems was the highest paid player in Europe. Left around 3 mil/ a year on the table w/ CSKA Moscow. Was on contract through '17
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) July 8, 2015
Now, the size of a player’s contract obviously shouldn’t be the sole determinant of his value. A quick look at Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson in 2015 could tell you that. But for Weems to leave a two-year, $6 million offer in Barcelona on the table to sign with the Suns is a pretty big vote of confidence in himself.
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Given the areas of his game — three-point shooting in particular — that he’s worked so hard to improve overseas, it’s no surprise he’s taking a chance on himself to return to the NBA.
Over the last four years in Euroleague play, Weems has converted 36.8 percent of his three-point attempts — a substantial improvement from the 24.1 percent he shot from downtown as an NBA player. Weems was efficient from all over the floor, shooting just a shade under 50 percent from the field overseas.
Last season, in Euroleague and Russian league play, Weems was a 40.1 percent three-point shooter on four attempts per game. Compare that to the extremely limited number of threes he was attempting during his early years in the NBA and it’s obvious this is an area of his game that Weems has worked hard to upgrade.
Like the Sonny Weems signing for PHX. Per 40 pace #s for CSKA last year (57 games, VTB/Euroleague): 20 PTS, 5.4 REB, 5.7 AST, 46 2P%, 40 3P%
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) July 8, 2015
Weems may never be the instant heat check off the bench that Gerald Green was, mostly because he’ll probably be a little more careful with his shot selection. But the Suns were the worst three-point shooting team in the league after the All-Star break last season, so as long as he’s able to spread the floor, most fans won’t mind that his triples come in more methodical fashion.
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