Orlando Magic Plan Video Tribute to Rashard Lewis for Tonight's Game Against Washington Wizards

Orlando Magic spokesman Joel Glass recently informed Orlando Pinstriped Post the team indeed plans to air a tribute of some kind to acknowledge the return of former Magic forward Rashard Lewis, whom the team traded to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas in December, to Amway Center this evening. Orlando hosts Washington for the final meeting between the two clubs this season, and though Lewis won't play due to injury, he will attend the game.

"We are working on one," Glass said of a tribute to Lewis, when reached via telephone.

Lewis appeared in 257 regular-season games for Orlando over three-plus seasons, averaging 16.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.6 three-pointers per game. In my opinion, his best moments came during the playoffs, including a 34-point, 11-rebound, 7-assist outburst in Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals.

Lewis told Michael Lee of the Washington Post he still thinks fondly of the Magic organization and is rooting for his former teammates to win a championship, saying, "If the Washington Wizards can't win it this year, we'll let them have the trophy."

I've touched on this subject before, but it bears repeating: Magic fans really ought to embrace Lewis. It's impossible to omit him in considering Orlando's NBA history. He played a huge role in helping the Magic develop from a middling playoff team to NBA title contender.