Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic Suspended 10 Games for Positive Steroid Test
by Evan Dunlap on Aug 6, 2009 4:24 PM EDT
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PrintOrlando Magic All-Star forward Rashard Lewis has tested positive for the steroid known as DHEA, and will thus face a 10-game suspension to start the 2009/10 season, reports Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
More from Bianchi:
According to league sources, Lewis was taking nutritional supplements at the end of last season that unknowing to him contained a substance commonly known as DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) – a chemical compound made naturally in the body but also found in numerous over-the-counter supplements at nutritional stores. The substance is banned by most sports leagues, including the NBA.
One source said he believed Lewis’s positive test was "an honest mistake."
"There are more than 100 banned substances on the league’s list and athletes have to watch everything they take from common cold medications to vitamins to supplements," the source said.
I'm inclined to believe Bianchi's source when he or she says Lewis made an honest mistake.
Lewis recently issued a statement, which contains an apology:
"First and foremost I take full responsibility for the situation and accept the corresponding penalty.
Toward the end of the season I took an over-the-counter supplement which at the time I did not realize included a substance banned by the NBA.
I apologize to Magic fans, my teammates and this organization for not doing the research that should come with good judgment.
I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character.
I hope every athlete can learn from my mistake that supplements, no matter how innocent they seem, should only be taken after consulting an expert in the field."
Lewis will be eligible to return for the contest against the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday, November 16th. Among the games he'll miss is the first of four rematches of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a nationally televised affair on Wednesday, November 11th.
It's hard to say what the Magic will do to replace Lewis' production. They could go conventional and start free-agent signee Brandon Bass, a veritable wrecking ball, at power forward. They could also attempt to maintain the status quo by starting Matt Barnes, who is similar to Lewis in style and build. Ryan Anderson, obtained in the trade which brought Vince Carter to Orlando, could also start in Lewis' stead, given his skill-set.
Overall, the news is surprising and disappointing. The Magic and their fans will have to hope coach Stan Van Gundy can shepherd his team through the first 10 games without their starting, floor-stretching, All-Star power forward.
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Wikipedia's take on DHEA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DHEA wikipedia article on DHEA.
Interesting quote: “DHEA supplements are sometimes used as muscle-building or performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. However, a randomized placebo-controlled trial found that DHEA supplementation had no (statistically significant) effect on lean body mass, strength, or testosterone levels.”
I think its probably a mistake on his part and the 10 games is to send a message to the rest of the league. Looks like we will see a traditional lineup for 10 games.
Well, the thing was that it was an over-the-counter substance so ..
.. I can see where the confusion sets in. Oh well, Rashard just has to be more aware.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
10 games is the standard for any first-time steroid violation
25 games for the second, lifetime ban for the third “with the possibility of reinstatement after two years under exceptional circumstances.”
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
Helps to have depth in the frontcourt, doesn't it?
I told everyone anything can happen and be prepared for it. This is a perfect example of what I meant.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Yeah, you certainly did, but to be honest, we rarely pay attention to you
:oP
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
disappointing, but shouldn't really impact the team
dwight and jameer are the only 2 guys whose absence i think has a dramatic impact on our likelihood of winning games. dwight b/c he’s one of the best players in the league, and jameer b/c the dropoff at his position is huge. even without lew, i still expect us to go 9-1 or 8-2 (7-3, at worst) over our first 10 (relatively easy) games. bass, anderson and the hammer should see some extra early-season run. at least lew should be fresher for the playoffs after only a 72-game season!
Yeah, I think given the team's depth in the frontcourt and the easy start to the schedule ..
.. Lewis being out for 10 games shouldn’t be too big of a deal. I do think Rashard is an important piece to the puzzle, but the Orlando Magic are fortunate enough to have the personnel to soften the blow.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
SOFTEN,but not nullify
Remember,this season it’s more important then ever to have the very very good in the East
Well, if nothing else...
…this should give us more data on which to base our decisions about our PF rotation.
He's currently two-thirds man, one-third amazing. Which, let's face it, is still a pretty good ratio.
Yup. Bass and Anderson will presumably see more burn at PF, which isn't a bad thing at all.
I was hoping Ryan would see minutes, but I knew given the circumstances, he probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance. Now, considering Lewis is out, Anderson will be given an opportunity to play more.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I think Anderson would've played anyway
He has the same type of game as Rashard Lewis so when he goes out the spacing wouldn’t change. Bass, for all his strengths, is being brought on to play defense, not to score. I think the Magic will go to Anderson instead of Bass every time they need an offensive injection.
It's not a dunk unless your hand makes contact with the rim. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, "Superman..."
Anderson would have played, but he wouldn't have seen a lot of minutes.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Sucks for Lewis and the Magic
But I laughed quite a bit at this line:
They could also attempt to maintain the status quo by starting Matt Barnes, who is similar to Lewis in style and build.
Never forget: I am a complete idiot
yeah not quite
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Was this really a steroid test he failed? Is DHEA considered a steroid? or just banned substance?
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
Might be nice to get the other bigs some minutes like mentioned above.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
Nevermind ... just read that Wiki link.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
If he was a track and field athlete, he would be banned for 2 years now. Can't say I'm surprised, neither by the fact it happened in the NBA nor that it was Lewis.
I think it’s the next scandal waiting to happen. I already stated my opinion on this back in May when we discussed PEDs on Blazer’s Edge. Maybe I’m drawing some heat for this and I could be wrong, but I had Lewis on my list of the most suspect players partly due to some images from media day 2008 where he has very strange skin reactions. I could be totally wrong. Being a former track and field athlete myself, I have seen too many excuses.
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/5/22/883324/performance-enhancing-drugs-and#16032886
This is just a preview. It was much more pronounced in the full resolution.
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1368/83057129.jpg
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1453/83166748.jpg
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Your guess is as good as anyone else's.
I’m not an expert on PED’s.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I believe him when he says it was an honest mistake.
Magic will be okay though. I’m pretty high on Ryan so I think it’ll be cool to see him get a lot of PT. Sucks though, this probably ends Shard’s 2009-2010 All-Star campaign, which weighs so heavily on hot starts.
"It's difficult to win when you're outscored in every quarter." -Bill Walton
Now since he's suspended without pay, I assume the Magic get to keep that approx. 2.2 million?
Which leads me to believe this was a ploy to save money by the Magic front office! Once the schedule came out and they saw how light the opening stretch for Orlando was, the called Rashard in and told him the plan. Add a few drops to his urine test, and voila! A free Vet’s minimum player!
"It's difficult to win when you're outscored in every quarter." -Bill Walton
Otis is sly enough to pull it off
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Suspended Players lose their game checks
from what I recall after the “malice at the palace” incident the NBA keeps the salary and donates it to one of their charities.
Same thing with the fines they take from Coaches/Owners (Mark Cuban!) for criticizing the refs/league.
He probably started taking them at the end of the regular season when he worn down
Maybe this will teach SVG its not a good idea to play a SF at PF for the entire year
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
That's not going to teach SVG not to play Rashard at PF.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
New Line-up
Jameer
VC
Barnes
Anderson
D12
or
Jameer
VC
Pietrus
Bass
D12
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
I think bass will be getting the start for those 10 games
Hopefully he performs really well and we start Lewis at the 3 when he gets back
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
It is debatable
because Anderson allows us to play a similar style.
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Bass is just the better player right now
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not always about starting the best five players.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Lakers,
Are a good example- Lamar is a better player then Bynum.
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Fine whatever I'll rephrase it Bass should get the majority of the minutes at PF
I don’t care who starts
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
What's he better at?
He's currently two-thirds man, one-third amazing. Which, let's face it, is still a pretty good ratio.
Defense and rebounding
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Then why did Anderson outrebound him last year?
Why did he get only 15.4% of the rebounds that were to be had when he was on the floor? And why did he post the same mediocre rebounding stats in 2007-08?
He's currently two-thirds man, one-third amazing. Which, let's face it, is still a pretty good ratio.
Because he was playing at C?
Because he wasn’t getting box out help? Because he was being asked to get back on offense instead of crashing the boards? Because Dirk was grabbing them all? Because Dirk was getting in his way and the opposition was grabbing them all?
I didn’t watch Dallas play so I can’t actually tell you, but sometimes there’s more to basketball than stats, y’know?
by eltharion_doa on Aug 7, 2009 4:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I feel like when a number stays steady for two entire years, there’s probably more to that number than situations. I hope Bass proves me wrong, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
He's currently two-thirds man, one-third amazing. Which, let's face it, is still a pretty good ratio.
Never know.
A new situation could change things for Brandon.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Really Rashard? . . . Really?
What advantage could he have possible been hoping to gain? Strength? Size? Or possibly some help with nagging injuries?
Anyhow as much as this sucks, it really couldn’t have come at a better time schedule-wise. Over the first 10 games the only team we might have trouble beating without him is Cleveland which sucks but I won’t cry if we go 9-1 without him.
AND, like everyone else has mentioned, it’ll give us a few games to test our our depth 2 PF.
Also, does anyone know if he’s banned from playing in the preseason games as well?
Sigh . . . Now I need new AVATAR!
Not sure, with your last question.
He’s suspended for 10 regular season games, so he may be able to still participate in the pre-season.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I'm guessing, obviously
But I suspect his nagging knee injury last season may have had something to do with it.
by eltharion_doa on Aug 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
That's what I was suspecting after thinking about it, for a bit.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Although I like conspiracy theories and all,I don't think so.
It was start of the ‘offs and they should be especially careful then.
But,of course,then there is a contra-argument,so….
I guess this one’s open.
The bad thig about the suspension is Lewis is going to be rusty far longer than the 1st 10 games
Bass and Anderson are gonna need to log alot of minutes at PF in practice which means less for Lewis. Hopefully he can come back to the team and not miss a beat
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
Why should he be rusty for far longer?
It’s not like he’s injured and won’t be able to practice or workout. And the 10 games is only slightly over 3 weeks so I think at worst he’ll have to work on his rhythm and timing. He’ll be fine. In fact, having analyzed the schedule, it’s entirely possible that the team is still undefeated when he returns!
Sigh . . . Now I need new AVATAR!
Everything will be okay.
10 games isn’t that long of a break. Both Rashard and the team will be fine.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
LOL,literally
What I just love about you is this: you are always the first person who points to dangers or possibilities of bad things,and when that happens you are the first to tell everything is going to be OK.
For me,that’s the description of the FAN.
Practice and game speed are alot different
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
true
but he will be fine after a game or so..
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Damn...
and I thought he was drinking milk the whole time.
BTW, Otis is looking like a genius for matching Marcin’s’ contract
So what happens to the money he would've made those games?
Does the team get to keep it? Or do they still have to pay him and the NBA takes it?
10 games of salary for Rashard is A LOT of CAKE! Probably enough to sign CJ Watson! – HA!
Sigh . . . Now I need new AVATAR!
The NBA takes it.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
That sucks . . .
But I can see why they wouldn’t want to inadvertently “reward” the team for his actions.
Sigh . . . Now I need new AVATAR!
Right.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Damn, you'd think with all that money he could afford some top of the line detox or something:)
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Most of the "detox" drugs which work
Are also illegal.
by eltharion_doa on Aug 6, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...this unexpectedly dissapointing :/
I do buy Rashard’s side of the story that it was over the counter and it had a strain of substance banned but unknown. It happens, anyone in pharmaceuticals knows the deal. This reminds me of when Lindsey Hunter was suspended 10 games for taking his wife’s diet pills that contained a banned substance unknown to him. Embarrassing but I guess explainable. I guess we’re gonna have to deal with some idiots on the internet who think Shard is juiced but whatever….
"My features are that of a god, its not a facade these rappers wanna be NaS"- Nasir Jones QB's Finest
Kristin Kreuk is teh love.
Still miss em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvgVn0gg1E
Lewis? Really?
But I guess Lindsey Hunter got busted for almost the same thing. Lewis was the LAST (maybe Turk) player on the team I thought that would be taking any type of PED. He’s listed at 230 but I think he’s closer to 215.
I remember reading Brewhoop and they were saying Skip was noticeably more “lean and cut” than when he was with them. They said something about his exaggerated “V” shape on his shoulder. I guess they were accusing the wrong Magic player…
I least he’s not on a list with names that keeps popping up tho!
"Dwight Howard couldn't score 40 points in a game if he was going against Yi Jianlian's chair." Bill Simmons chat 5/20
"I don't feel this team can beat us four times," Mo Williams 5/21
It wasn't Brew Hoop that brought it up.
It was a Bucks blog on MVN.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I'm surprised
that DHEA is a banned substance in the NBA. You can buy it cheap OTC and it can be found in most dietary supplements. It is legal. I hate that most on here and other blogs act like he was using blackmarket anabolic steriods and treating him like a cheat, Honest mistake on his part.
I haven't seen anybody here slamming him or being excessively harsh.
Personally, I agree with you based on what I know about DHEA. The fact remains that it is illegal in the NBA, and Lewis surely knew that. With all the steroid scandals in other major sports in recent years, you would think pro athletes would take a closer look at what they’re putting in their bodies.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Opposing fans are going to take the news and run with it faster than Bo Jackson on a football field.
The fact that Rashard was quick to address the news shows me he’s sincere about the issue.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I don't believe he took the stuff knowingly either.
He just should have been a lot smarter about it because of similar stories with other athletes.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
I agree.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I don't think he's necessarily a cheat
But he is really dumb. In most other sports he’d be looking at a very substantial ban for this, even though it’s a legal substance.
You want to play in a private (and lucrative) sporting competition, you play by it’s rules.
by eltharion_doa on Aug 6, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah any pill that you put into you body you should know if its banned or not
Pretty stupid of him but maybe he felt like he had to get healthy fast
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It is a banned substance in about any athletic sport and under WADA rules
Cycling, track and field, … The fact that the US has lax OTC policies so it can be found in too many products doesn’t change that. The efficacy is debatable, since DHEA can build as much estrogen as testosterone, but so far it’s a banned substance. And athletes are responsible for what is found in their blood and urine. Those are the rules. If it truly was a dietary supplement, time for Lewis and other players to hire some good/new doctors, cooks and nutritionists to advise them.
There are databases too look that up, e.g. provided by the US Anti Doping Agency
(Dwight Howard was tested by them once in 2007 and once in 2008 when he was on Team USA.)
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
You use any type of steriod, it is known as cheating.
No matter what, even if it effects your body just a tad.
Lewis knew he shouldn’t have taken the steriods, but he did…
Pathetic really. Now I know why this guy wasn’t scared at taking clutch shots in the Playoffs.
What does him testing positive for DHEA have anything to do with being "clutch".
There’s no discernible connection there. I didn’t know DHEA was used to be “less scared”.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Lol, yeah that's what booze is for.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Well didn't you realize E
that the game winning three pointer against Cleveland in Game 1 would have been three feet short if Lewis wasn’t taking roids to bulk up.
by Lee for three on Aug 6, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL .. of course.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
By that logic, LeBron's huevos should look like California raisins by now. :)
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Hah.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
If Bron Bron never has kids
We’ll know why.
Say what you like about Wilt Chamberlain, there’s no way that guy was juicing.
by eltharion_doa on Aug 7, 2009 4:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Nah, Wilt was too busy doing "other things".
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
About 1,000 of them, if the stories are true.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
More than 1,000. Multiply that number by 20.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
It sounds like a bad joke doesn't it?
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Here's Brian Windhorst, who covers the Cavs for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, on Lewis' suspension:
Yes Cavs fans, R. Lewis still makes the 3 in Game 4 without drugs. And LBJ doesn’t run thru D. Howard screen defending on that play either.
Link.
There is really no connection here.
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
I think using the term steroid is out of context in this situation.
A banned substance or a PED doesn’t make it a “steroid”, so quit throwing around that term out of context and lumping Shard in with users of steroids. He tested positive for DHEA.
Let's observe a moment of silence for CLee, Skip to my Lou, Batman, and The Michael Jordan of Turkey...
Welcome Back Polish Hammer and Welcome Vinsanity, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass, and Matt Barnes!!
Does this suspension also cost Lewis the chance to play in the preseason games?
This situation is tough right now but look on the bright side, someone will step up and contribute theres no doubt about it. Hopefully Ryan will come into his own after playing the Rashard game for 10days.
"Blue and white...ignite...* BOOOOOM * !!!!! - Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic playoff jumbotron message)
Ben said it best on Twitter.
If the Magic can deal with Jameer Nelson being out for 40+ games, the team can deal with Rashard Lewis being out for 10 games. It’s not a big deal.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Rashard Lewis should play his natural position "small forward" period............
Stan Van Gundy should bring back Rashard Lewis to his natural position as small forward and mix the power forward position between Gortat,Bass and Anderson.
by roger40 on Aug 6, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Aug 6, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
No, he shouldn't.
I find it laughable that fans are using this suspension as an excuse to put him back at SF. I like to see everyone here say that to Stan Van Gundy’s face, and then wait for his reaction on the question.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Aug 6, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Apples and oranges. What does PED's have to do with roster spots?
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Seriously.
Apparently, Lewis testing positive somehow affects how he was able to perform in the clutch and whether or not he’ll be swiftly moved back to SF once he returns from suspension. Amazing.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Aug 6, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Question . . .
Why the heck did it take so long to identify this indiscretion?
Shouldn’t we have found out about this like months ago?
Sigh . . . Now I need new AVATAR!
I don't know.
I’m not sure how the NBA’s drug-testing policy works, in accordance to revealing positive results.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
At least they have to wait for a B sample to be analyzed (taken on the same day/occasion, but stored separately and usually also analyzed in a different lab). That can take some time. Then the athlete is typically heard before making it public.
Last year it took a similar time before Darius Miles suspension for taking a weight loss drug was announced (also 10 games).
"I'm addicted to polo y'all...respect my fresh" - Travis25Outlaw
Makes sense, to make sure the original sample was indeed positive.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Unless it leaks
There’s no reason to find out about it until the NBA publishes the penalty.
If it was one of the really true superstars someone at NBA House would’ve leaked it, but Lewis is a borderline All-Star on a small market team, obviously nobody felt it was worth it.
by eltharion_doa on Aug 7, 2009 4:13 AM EDT up reply actions
From Ball Don't Lie:
“In fact, as far as I can ascertain there have only been five players officially suspended for PED use in the NBA: Matt Geiger, Don McLean, Soumalia Samake (who I’ve actually never hear of) , Darius Miles and Lindsey Hunter.” That’s actually about 4 more than I ever remember hearing about.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
I remember Geiger and Miles, that's it.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I think I remember McLean...
…but I also remember that McLean was either out of the league, or basically permanently injured, when it happened.
He's currently two-thirds man, one-third amazing. Which, let's face it, is still a pretty good ratio.
Does anybody feel this will affect his reputation from Orlando fans in a negative way?
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
*with Orlando fans I meant.
"Fun fact: Larry Hughes, who couldn’t stay healthy if all his human parts were replaced with bionic implants, is out for the next four weeks with a bruised leg. Do you think that Willis Reed ever reads about all these players missing time with bruises and sprained fingers and throws up in his mouth a little?"
Nah, but it'll be more fodder for fans that always harp on Rashard for being overpaid and such.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Yes,it will
There are all kind of ppl out there,and of course this will bother some of them.
We obviously don’t need them (as a fanbase),but it is bad,money-wise.
Come Together...
I know all of you are pulling this together, like we all should… but still, this is NOT the high note we had in mind to start the 2009-10 season. It deflates, if only in small part, the big tide of emotional clout we had built in the off-season.
Everyone has to watch it now on this issue…
With so much depth, Otis looks more and more like a Genius!
Eh, it's a bump on the road. Nothing more.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I step away from the internet for a few hours and all hell breaks loose
God, Rashard. What the fuck.
Still a girl.
Yeah, it's a shame and Rashard did deserve his penalty.
.. at least he was quick to address the issue and respond, accordingly.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Not so bad
While it’s unfortunate what Rashard did, because this is a black mark, no matter how innocent, this will actually benefit Orlando. This prevents any problems Bass and Andersen and Barnes might have had getting early PT and a feel for the offense in a real game situation, rather than practice and training camp. This will give them the exp they’ll need when they begin to play with the various bench lineups mixed with starters.
Sometimes injury riddled teams play better because of the constant lineup shuffling. It forces you away from your trusted favorites into the uknown. Can this new guy hit the shot? Let’s find out, because Rashard’s no where to be found.
"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)
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