It feels like it has been ages since Rashard Lewis’ All-Star days. As a member of the Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic Lewis was one of the top stretch power forwards and small forwards in the NBA. Lewis had a short stop in Washington with a Wizards, and is currently resurrecting himself in his second season with the Miami Heat.
Lewis’ first season as a member of the Heat didn’t have many highlights as he found a tough time cracking the rotation due to health issues as well as having a tough time beating out Mike Miller and Shane Battier for playing time.
Lewis had a decent impact this season as the 9th or 10th man, but he has found some recent success in his past few games as a starter. Erik Spoelstra decided to put Lewis in the lineup to utilize his size and shooting. Standing at 6’10 Lewis can use his length to bother defenders and he can bring his man out to defend him at the three point line so that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade can drive the lane with ease.
In games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals Lewis averaged a shade over 15 ppg. Lewis may not be a full-time starter, but when called upon he answers the bell. The Heat have a unique team and it seems like a random player emerges each series. We know what James, Wade, and Bosh will bring to the table, and it will be able up to the others to answer the bell.
The rebirth of Rashard Lewis has been unexpected, but that’s the nature of the Miami Heat. Lewis will look to continue his rebirth in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, and hope to duplicate his impact from the Eastern Conference Finals.
