"This is my chance," Weems said. "I'm going to take full advantage of my chance. I've got to show it here."

His challenge is to show coaches he can be a defensive force and a more detail-oriented professional.

"Sonny is an athletic player that's got to learn how to play Basketball," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "At times it looks like he's taking that step, and then at times it doesn't look like he's taking that step. He has 10 days here at summer league. He's going to have to figure out his niche. He's got the talent to play in the league. The question will be: Does he have the mind to play in the league?

"I think, in general, this summer and September and October will be very important to him."

Weems has gotten off to a lukewarm start in the Nuggets' first two games. His jump shot is a bit rusty, and he hasn't always finished at the rim, though he gets there effortlessly.

If he's to stay around the Nuggets' organization next season, he knows he'll have to do so as a defensive-oriented player. And to help him get there, Weems has worked closely with player development coach Stacey Augmon, who was one of the NBA's best defenders during his career.

"He's been telling me some good things; what I need to do and what he's looking for from me," Weems said. "It's a big summer. They need defensive stoppers. That's what I'm trying to show in the summer league."

Weems led the Nuggets with 17 points and 11 rebounds in their second game Wednesday night. The team had Thursday night off, but will play three consecutive days starting tonight.

He's averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds but is shooting a very frigid 25.8 percent from the field and has committed 4.5 turnovers per game.

"What Coach wants to see from him is a defensive presence and getting the ball to the rim," Nuggets summer-league coach John Welch said. "Sonny's worked hard. He knows this is a big summer for him."

A groin injury caused Weems to miss all of last year's training camp and preseason. After that, he bounced from the Nuggets to the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League. He averaged 1.6 points in 4.6 minutes per game in 12 appearances with the Nuggets , and 20.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 21 games in the D-League.

"I thought I played all the catch-up I could last year, being sent to the D-League three times," Weems said. "It set me back a good number. I sat out the preseason and training camp. That really bothered me. I'm just trying to get back in it."

Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com