Rashard Lewis
Encyclopedia
Rashard Quovon Lewis (born August 8, 1979 in Pineville, Louisiana
) is an American professional basketball
player, currently with the NBA
's Washington Wizards
as a small forward
and a power forward
.
and opted for the 1998 NBA Draft
, wherein he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
with the third pick of the second round (32nd overall). At the time of his selection, he was the last player remaining in the "green room", where 15 of the top draft prospects sit until their selection. His hometown team, the Houston Rockets
, declined to select Lewis with any of their three first-round picks, much to the disappointment of Lewis and a large majority of Rockets fans.
He has since had a solid career as a forward including two All-Star berths, in the 2004-2005 season
and in the 2008-2009 season. In 2001, Lewis was selected to play for the USA in the Goodwill Games
, in which they won the gold medal. On October 31, 2003, Lewis scored 50 points to pass Clyde Drexler
(41 points) for the most points scored in a single game while playing in Japan. Lewis holds the SuperSonics' record for most 3-pointers made, having passed Dale Ellis
for second place on November 22, 2005, and Gary Payton
for first place on March 13, 2007, when Lewis made his 918th 3-pointer in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons
.
, Lewis joined the Orlando Magic
, having agreed to a six-year sign-and-trade deal worth $118 million on July 11, 2007. On May 25, he had opted out of the last two years of the seven-year, $60 million deal he signed before the 2003-04 season
. The final two years of his contract were worth a guaranteed $21 million.
In his first season with the Orlando Magic
, Lewis was moved from his usual small forward
position to power forward
. That year, he made 53 more 3-pointers than he had ever scored in his career. During the playoffs, the Magic reached the second round, with Lewis contributing a 33-point performance against the Detroit Pistons
in Orlando's only win of the series. Lewis was the Magic’s top scorer in the playoffs and set personal records in points, rebounds, and assists.
Lewis started the 2008-2009 season as the team's second leading scorer, earning an appearance in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
. In the 2009 NBA Playoffs
, Lewis hit a game-winning shot in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers
, what he called the biggest shot of his career. The Magic won the series and advanced to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers
in five games.
Over his 10-year career, Lewis holds an average of 16.8 points per game, with his career high of 22.4 points per game coming in 2006-07
.
On August 6, 2009, Lewis was suspended without pay for the first 10 games of the 2009–10 season
after testing positive for a banned substance.
for Gilbert Arenas
.
| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | Seattle
| 20 || 7 || 7.3 || .365 || .167 || .571 || 1.3 || .2 || .4 || .1 || 2.4
|-
| align="left" | 1999–00
| align="left" | Seattle
| 82 || 8 || 19.2 || .486 || .333 || .683 || 4.1 || .9 || .8 || .4 || 8.2
|-
| align="left" | 2000–01
| align="left" | Seattle
| 78 || 78 || 34.9 || .480 || .432 || .826 || 6.9 || 1.6 || 1.2 || .6 || 14.8
|-
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | Seattle
| 71 || 70 || 36.4 || .468 || .389 || .810 || 7.0 || 1.7 || 1.5 || .6 || 16.8
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Seattle
| 77 || 77 || 39.5 || .452 || .346 || .820 || 6.5 || 1.7 || 1.3 || .4 || 18.1
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Seattle
| 80 || 80 || 36.6 || .435 || .376 || .763 || 6.5 || 2.2 || 1.2 || .7 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Seattle
| 71 || 71 || 38.0 || .462 || .400 || .777 || 5.5 || 1.3 || 1.1 || .9 || 20.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Seattle
| 78 || 77 || 36.9 || .467 || .384 || .818 || 5.0 || 2.3 || 1.3 || .6 || 20.1
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Seattle
| 60 || 60 || 39.1 || .461 || .390 || .841 || 6.6 || 2.4 || 1.1 || .6 || 22.4
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Orlando
| 81 || 81 || 38.0 || .455 || .409 || .838 || 5.4 || 2.4 || 1.2 || .5 || 18.2
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Orlando
| 79 || 79 || 36.2 || .439 || .397 || .836 || 5.7 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .6 || 17.7
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Orlando
| 72 || 72 || 32.9 || .435 || .397 || .806 || 4.4 || 1.5 || 1.1 || .4 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Orlando
| 25 || 25 || 32.4 || .419 || .367 || .756 || 4.2 || 1.2 || .9 || .4 || 12.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Washington
| 32 || 27 || 31.7 || .446 || .347 || .843 || 5.8 || 2.0 || .9 || .6 || 11.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 906 || 812 || 34.3 || .455 || .390 || .807 || 5.6 || 1.8 || 1.1 || .6 || 16.3
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 2 || 0 || 17.5 || .308 || .167 || .500 || 5.0 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 5.0
| align="left" | 2000
| align="left" | Seattle
| 5 || 5 || 31.4 || .441 || .474 || .800 || 6.2 || .6 || 1.0 || .6 || 15.4
|-
| align="left" | 2002
| align="left" | Seattle
| 3 || 2 || 26.3 || .375 || .167 || 1.000 || 3.7 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 12.7
|-
| align="left" | 2005
| align="left" | Seattle
| 8 || 8 || 39.0 || .406 || .200 || .880 || 5.4 || 1.6 || .4 || .4 || 16.9
|-
| align="left" | 2008
| align="left" | Orlando
| 10 || 10 || 41.7 || .436 || .309 || .821 || 7.2 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .5 || 19.5
|-
| align="left" | 2009
| align="left" | Orlando
| 24 || 24 || 41.1 || .448 || .394 || .784 || 6.4 || 2.9 || 1.0 || .5 || 19.0
|-
| align="left" | 2010
| align="left" | Orlando
| 14 || 14 || 36.6 || .462 || .373 || .800 || 5.6 || 2.3 || 1.1 || .7 || 12.9
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 64 || 63 || 38.5 || .439 || .357 || .821 || 6.1 || 2.4 || .9 || .5 || 16.9
Pineville, Louisiana
Pineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census....
) is an American professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, currently with the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
as a small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
and a power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
.
Seattle SuperSonics
Despite being recruited by Florida State, Kansas, and the University of Houston, Lewis bypassed collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
and opted for the 1998 NBA Draft
1998 NBA Draft
The 1998 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1998 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around three struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors....
, wherein he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
with the third pick of the second round (32nd overall). At the time of his selection, he was the last player remaining in the "green room", where 15 of the top draft prospects sit until their selection. His hometown team, the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
, declined to select Lewis with any of their three first-round picks, much to the disappointment of Lewis and a large majority of Rockets fans.
He has since had a solid career as a forward including two All-Star berths, in the 2004-2005 season
2004-05 NBA season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association . It began on November 2, 2004 and ended June 23, 2005. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs defeating defending champion Detroit Pistons 4–3 in the NBA Finals....
and in the 2008-2009 season. In 2001, Lewis was selected to play for the USA in the Goodwill Games
Goodwill Games
The Goodwill Games was an international sports competition, created by Ted Turner in reaction to the political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s...
, in which they won the gold medal. On October 31, 2003, Lewis scored 50 points to pass Clyde Drexler
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin "Clyde The Glide" Drexler is a former National Basketball Association shooting guard and small forward. A ten-time All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA named him one of basketball's fifty greatest players as of 1996. Drexler won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and...
(41 points) for the most points scored in a single game while playing in Japan. Lewis holds the SuperSonics' record for most 3-pointers made, having passed Dale Ellis
Dale Ellis
Dale Ellis is a retired American professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association....
for second place on November 22, 2005, and Gary Payton
Gary Payton
Gary Dwayne Payton is a former American professional basketball point guard. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds Seattle franchise records in points, assists, and steals...
for first place on March 13, 2007, when Lewis made his 918th 3-pointer in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
.
Orlando Magic
After playing his first nine seasons for the Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, Lewis joined the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, having agreed to a six-year sign-and-trade deal worth $118 million on July 11, 2007. On May 25, he had opted out of the last two years of the seven-year, $60 million deal he signed before the 2003-04 season
2003-04 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves*Rookie of the Year: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers*Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers...
. The final two years of his contract were worth a guaranteed $21 million.
In his first season with the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, Lewis was moved from his usual small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
position to power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
. That year, he made 53 more 3-pointers than he had ever scored in his career. During the playoffs, the Magic reached the second round, with Lewis contributing a 33-point performance against the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
in Orlando's only win of the series. Lewis was the Magic’s top scorer in the playoffs and set personal records in points, rebounds, and assists.
Lewis started the 2008-2009 season as the team's second leading scorer, earning an appearance in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
2009 NBA All-Star Game
The 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on February 15, 2009 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The game was the 58th edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 2008–09 NBA season...
. In the 2009 NBA Playoffs
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
, Lewis hit a game-winning shot in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, what he called the biggest shot of his career. The Magic won the series and advanced to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in five games.
Over his 10-year career, Lewis holds an average of 16.8 points per game, with his career high of 22.4 points per game coming in 2006-07
2006-07 NBA season
The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 31, 2006 and ran through April 18, 2007. The league fielded 30 teams, each playing an 82 game regular season schedule. The top eight seeds from each conference reached the NBA...
.
On August 6, 2009, Lewis was suspended without pay for the first 10 games of the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
after testing positive for a banned substance.
Washington Wizards
On December 18, 2010, Lewis was traded to the Washington WizardsWashington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
for Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Jay Arenas, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . He plays as a point guard and shooting guard....
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | Seattle
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
| 20 || 7 || 7.3 || .365 || .167 || .571 || 1.3 || .2 || .4 || .1 || 2.4
|-
| align="left" | 1999–00
| align="left" | Seattle
| 82 || 8 || 19.2 || .486 || .333 || .683 || 4.1 || .9 || .8 || .4 || 8.2
|-
| align="left" | 2000–01
| align="left" | Seattle
| 78 || 78 || 34.9 || .480 || .432 || .826 || 6.9 || 1.6 || 1.2 || .6 || 14.8
|-
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | Seattle
| 71 || 70 || 36.4 || .468 || .389 || .810 || 7.0 || 1.7 || 1.5 || .6 || 16.8
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Seattle
| 77 || 77 || 39.5 || .452 || .346 || .820 || 6.5 || 1.7 || 1.3 || .4 || 18.1
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Seattle
| 80 || 80 || 36.6 || .435 || .376 || .763 || 6.5 || 2.2 || 1.2 || .7 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Seattle
| 71 || 71 || 38.0 || .462 || .400 || .777 || 5.5 || 1.3 || 1.1 || .9 || 20.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Seattle
| 78 || 77 || 36.9 || .467 || .384 || .818 || 5.0 || 2.3 || 1.3 || .6 || 20.1
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Seattle
| 60 || 60 || 39.1 || .461 || .390 || .841 || 6.6 || 2.4 || 1.1 || .6 || 22.4
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 81 || 81 || 38.0 || .455 || .409 || .838 || 5.4 || 2.4 || 1.2 || .5 || 18.2
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Orlando
| 79 || 79 || 36.2 || .439 || .397 || .836 || 5.7 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .6 || 17.7
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Orlando
| 72 || 72 || 32.9 || .435 || .397 || .806 || 4.4 || 1.5 || 1.1 || .4 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Orlando
| 25 || 25 || 32.4 || .419 || .367 || .756 || 4.2 || 1.2 || .9 || .4 || 12.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Washington
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
| 32 || 27 || 31.7 || .446 || .347 || .843 || 5.8 || 2.0 || .9 || .6 || 11.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 906 || 812 || 34.3 || .455 || .390 || .807 || 5.6 || 1.8 || 1.1 || .6 || 16.3
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 2 || 0 || 17.5 || .308 || .167 || .500 || 5.0 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 5.0
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2000
2000 NBA Playoffs
The 2000 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers win their first championship in twelve years by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers...
| align="left" | Seattle
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
| 5 || 5 || 31.4 || .441 || .474 || .800 || 6.2 || .6 || 1.0 || .6 || 15.4
|-
| align="left" | 2002
2002 NBA Playoffs
The 2002 NBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2001–02 season. This would be the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; next year's postseason would see those series expanded to a best-of-7 format...
| align="left" | Seattle
| 3 || 2 || 26.3 || .375 || .167 || 1.000 || 3.7 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 12.7
|-
| align="left" | 2005
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Seattle
| 8 || 8 || 39.0 || .406 || .200 || .880 || 5.4 || 1.6 || .4 || .4 || 16.9
|-
| align="left" | 2008
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 10 || 10 || 41.7 || .436 || .309 || .821 || 7.2 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .5 || 19.5
|-
| align="left" | 2009
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Orlando
| 24 || 24 || 41.1 || .448 || .394 || .784 || 6.4 || 2.9 || 1.0 || .5 || 19.0
|-
| align="left" | 2010
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Orlando
| 14 || 14 || 36.6 || .462 || .373 || .800 || 5.6 || 2.3 || 1.1 || .7 || 12.9
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 64 || 63 || 38.5 || .439 || .357 || .821 || 6.1 || 2.4 || .9 || .5 || 16.9