Speaking of Weems, many fans may first think of his legendary journey with the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Although he may not be the strongest foreign player in history, he has played a very important role during his years with the Guangdong team.
You should know that his joining was really well-timed; without him, the history of the Guangdong team might have been written differently.
Let's start with when Weems joined the Guangdong team.
In 2018, the Guangdong team faced a foreign player vacancy and urgently needed to strengthen their lineup.
Coincidentally, Weems had just been cut by the Zhejiang team at that time, becoming the "firefighting foreign aid" for the Guangdong team.
Back then, Weems still held some prejudice against the CBA, thinking it wasn't a high-level league.
After joining the Guangdong team, his perspective began to change.
The atmosphere of the Guangdong team, the support of his teammates, and the operation of the club gradually made him regard this place as his "second home."
He signed a four-year contract, which can be said to be the official beginning of the bond between the Guangdong team and Weems.
At that time, Weems, along with Marshan and Beasley, formed the trio of foreign players.
This combination was almost invincible on the CBA court, defeating almost all opponents.
Especially the frontline partnership between Weems and Marshan, their chemistry was unparalleled.
Marshan played aggressively while Weems was flexible and versatile. Their cooperation put great pressure on the opponents, even leading to changes in the league's foreign player rules, from the original two foreign players to one.
It can be said that this trio of foreign players changed the landscape of the league.
When it comes to Weems' crucial moments, we must mention the 2018 finals.
That classic moment of the "eight-second offensive transition" became a part of the Guangdong team's history.
At that moment, Weems' precise passing and quick decision-making helped the Guangdong team quickly widen the score in the most critical moment, ultimately winning the championship.
This was not only a victory in a game, but also reflected Weems' calmness in key moments, which left a deep impression on the fans.
As time went on, Weems' physical condition gradually deteriorated, after all, time waits for no man.
The decision-makers of the Guangdong team had to make a difficult decision - to give up on him at the end of the season.
Although Weems' performance remained strong, a contradiction arose between the team's future and Weems' physical state.
In subsequent transfers, Weems was signed by the Shanxi team, but even so, his affection for the Guangdong team did not diminish due to leaving, but rather grew deeper.
Some netizens once said on the forum: "After Weems left Guangdong, he would still come back to sit on the sidelines and watch the team play, truly showing his deep affection for this team." Indeed, even though Weems is no longer a member of the Guangdong team, he often appears at the Guangdong team's home games to cheer for his former teammates.
Especially in interactions with players like Zhao Rui, he often shows his dependence and love for the team, and fans can see that deep emotion in his eyes.
Weems' contributions to the Guangdong team are not just reflected on the court.
His experience, wisdom, and full support for the team have greatly benefited the Guangdong team.
During the critical moments of the 2023 season, the Guangdong team was facing difficulties, and the game situation was gradually turning against them.
Weems, with his accumulated experience and calm judgment over the years, helped the team reverse the situation in just a few minutes, ultimately leading the team to victory.
Without Weems' "veteran style," the Guangdong team might have missed their 12th championship in team history.
Weems' influence on the team is truly a dual manifestation in both spirit and ability.
Some netizens commented: "Although Weems is older, his significance to the team is irreplaceable. In those critical moments, his calmness and big heart are a lifesaver." Indeed, Weems' role in the team is not just about scoring and rebounding statistics, but more importantly, his calmness and boldness in key moments, which greatly helps the stability of the team.
To put it another way, although Weems is already 39 years old, he still demonstrates extraordinary strength in other arenas.
After joining the NBL Shijiazhuang team, he quickly adapted to the environment and became a core force of the team.
And when he returned to the CBA arena and made a comeback with the Shenzhen team, he still maintained an extremely high competitive state.
In that game, he played for 41 minutes, contributing a super triple-double of 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
It can be said that Weems' comprehensive abilities, court wisdom, and indomitable spirit still make him full of vitality in the game and an important member of the team.
Although Weems is not the most dominant foreign player in the history of the Guangdong team, he is undoubtedly the most suitable foreign player for the Guangdong team.
Weems' performance on the court is undoubtedly outstanding, but more importantly, it is his love for the team, his dedication, and the emotional bond with the team that far exceeds pure basketball skills.
His joining brought not only victories to the Guangdong team, but also a sense of responsibility and cohesion.
It is precisely because of this that Weems has truly become an indispensable part of the Guangdong team.