Phoenix Suns: Can Sonny Weems Be The Next Gerald Green?

Nov 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Gerald Green (14) reacts after dunking the ball after rebounding the ball off the backboard to himself in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Gerald Green (14) reacts after dunking the ball after rebounding the ball off the backboard to himself in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Phoenix Suns
Apr 14, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Gerald Green reacts in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at US Airways Center. The Clippers beat the Suns 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

One Added Caveat

Weems has worked hard to improve his perimeter shooting and he’s always been a superb dunker, but he’s also developed a bit of a reputation as a two-way player from his time with CSKA Moscow — something that would definitely set him apart from Gerald Green.

Thanks to his 6’10” wingspan, Weems is a disruptive presence on the perimeter. As quite possibly the first guard off the Suns’ bench, he should be able to hold his own against other team’s reserves. For a guy making his return to the NBA after four years, bringing the energy on the defensive end is what will really help him stand out as more of a veteran presence among a group of young reserves.

Look, it’s not rocket science that it’s a little bit harder to get excited about a player on a two-year contract whose name isn’t LeBron James. But even if Warren, Goodwin and Booker all have higher ceilings and longer futures in Phoenix, Sonny Weems has an opportunity to fill a more immediate void on a team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010 — fan favorite.

There’s no one in the NBA capable of replacing Gerald Green; the guy’s persona is just too special, too uncontrollable and too undeniably infectious to replicate. He’s pure wildfire on the court, capable of igniting his team in a way that can torch his opponents and burn down his own team’s offensive game plan all at once.

But as a player who can knock down threes and throw down some crowd-pleasing dunks in transition (not to mention the added caveat that he actually tries on defense) Sonny Weems has a chance to replace Green as that lovable fan favorite coming off the bench.

Next: The Pros And Cons Of A Suns Twin Towers Lineup

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