Believe Lewis
Either you believe him or you don’t. Either Rashard Lewis knew what he was doing or was a hopeless naïf.
You look at the body, and at the body of work, and you think that if Lewis did know what he was doing, then he didn’t do a very good job of doing it. He almost is the anti-Steroid poster boy at 6-10, 230 pounds (or so it’s listed) so, while an obvious candidate for bulking up, it never came to that. And his game logs from the playoffs reveal the good (34 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists in Game 2 of the NBA Finals) and the not-so-good (6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists in Game 4 of the NBA Finals) only four days apart.
There were times in the conference semifinals against the Celtics when I wondered if Lewis was even aware there was a series going on. Then there were times when he was an absolute beast, a matchup nightmare for which Doc Rivers never did have an answer.
Frankly, I think it’s hard to make a case for Lewis as a deliberate evil-doer here. Maybe I’m the hopeless naïf – always possible – but if you had to identify a steroids miscreant on the Magic, Lewis wouldn’t even be under consideration. That’s what was so shocking about the revelation: it was the skinny Lewis who got nabbed, “one of the best people in the league,’’ according to Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.
Lewis has owned up to the transgression and he did so in an honest, thoughtful manner. I haven’t had a lot of face time with Lewis over the years, but when I did speak with him, he always was respectful and accommodating. While in Seattle, he was mentored by Ray Allen, as classy an individual as there is in the NBA.
His next NBA season will be cut short by at least 10 games, but this is really the first time that Lewis has been in any kind of hot water with the league. He can’t be blamed for agreeing to the ridiculous contract that Orlando offered him a couple years ago, but you could argue that he might have felt overwhelmed by the deal and the attention that he felt he had to do everything he could to live up to it. (That was A-Rod’s excuse in Texas.)
But Lewis said the banned substance was taken at the end of last season, which would explain the timing of the announcement. He said it came from an over-the-counter purchase of a powdered nutritional supplement and that he wasn’t aware it was in there. As he told the Orlando Sentinel, “I would never, knowingly, put any sort of substance or steroid into my body that is against the rules.”
At least he didn’t say he was blindsided.
And he also knows he’s subject to four random tests a year, all of which, presumably, he had passed in the past.
The NBA isn’t immune to these types of things; far from it. It tackled the drug problem head-on in the 1980s, but PEDs were not part of the dialogue back then. They are now and the NBA’s policy is quite clear: 10-game suspension for a first violation, 25 games for a second, one year for a third and ban for a fourth. The policy also stipulates that if a player comes forward voluntarily and admits to using a PED, there is no penalty.
Lewis may be the most prominent name, but there are others. Darius Miles was suspended for 10 games last season and, like Lewis, said he was unaware he had done anything wrong. Chris Andersen was kicked out of the league for two years, got his life back together, was allowed to return, and played so well he now has a new contract.
Lewis won’t be the last one and, for all we know, he’s not the only one. He just got caught. He made a mistake. He admitted he made a mistake. He apologized for it. He accepted the punishment. He has vowed to be more careful in the future over what he puts into his body. His organization has been supportive while also recognizing it has, as they say, a “teachable moment” before it.
In an utterly informal and unscientific poll, the Orlando Sentinel asked visitors to its web site to decide: was Lewis an innocent dupe or a cheater? Of the first 273 responses, 268 decided he was a dupe. So the fans are on his side. At least those fans.
We’ll have to wait for the memoirs to see what really happened. Did he actually feel any different? Better? Would he have continued using it if he hadn’t got caught? And no matter what he does the rest of his career, there will always be a line referencing the suspension, probably near the top, of any Rashard Lewis biographical web entry.
But, on the whole, Rashard Lewis has been, as Van Gundy said, one of the league’s top citizens over the last decade. In the court of public opinion, that should count for something. A whole career of staying out trouble should trump this one transgression.
In other words, I believe him.
pj Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
well written-couldn’t agree more
Earl Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
I believe it was a honest mistake because steroids for some players would be a huge risk in the basketball world unless you really knew what you were doing. Rashard Lewis game would be hurt by steroids but i do know there are some that would help with lean muscle mass but it would be took much of a risk though.
Doctor P Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
First off its not a steroid so I wish the media would stop making it look like he was on the real stuff. DHEA is a supplement that as a doctor I recommend regularly for my 30 year old an older male patients. It helps you because as men age our natural production of testosterone decreases. You can buy this in any grocery store in the country. Please stop making it more than it is.
Porky Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
Steriods: Welcome to the NBA
Steve Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
Don’t know if I believe, its possible, but not rational. I have trouble viewing Mr. Lewis as anything but an intelligent young man.
So unless he’s been living in a box with no TV, radio, or internet, he should have known about the stories of “supplements” that seem to more successful than others. Sure DHEA isn’t regulated in the US, and its possible some unscrupulous company (whose products he should never even look at) could have added it to their “supplement” without including it on the label or maybe Mr. Lewis doesn’t read, or maybe he just misread the label, maybe. But Mr. Lewis, as a pro athlete, has a duty to himself, his teammates, and the league - not to mention the fans, to know what is in the supplements he takes and if he doesn’t know (for sure) to find out first.
And, Mr. Lewis isn’t a teenager, a rookie, or some unsuspecting dolt. He’s been around athletics his whole life. Issues surrounding supplements have been around for years, their only purpose to to create an advantage over those who don’t use them. If an athlete truly wants to protect themselves from the repercussions of what might be in a “supplement”, they would avoid anything not approved by their team doctors - or better yet, avoid supplements altogether.
I doubt this incident will hurt Mr. Lewis reputation after December, he is, after all, a very likable athlete. Frankly, I am amazed he got caught. Kudos to the NBA!
A very well written, positive article that I am sure reflects the opinion we all want to have of athletes like Mr. Lewis - may he never do this again!
Larry Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
It isn’t a steroids issue but a CBA issue. The drug is illegal and while he may not have been taking it for theraputical steroid enhancement the league has made certain drugs illegal because they are steroid like or increase testosterone. What this drug did was increase the hormonal production in the adrenal glands which the human body innately produces to defcrease swelling and inflammation in order to decrease the pain and swelling caused by his tendonitis. In esence it is a pain killing performance enhancer.
Lewis could not play during the last 3 regular season games due to tendonitis and Van Gundy issued a statement that he didn’t know if he could play in the opening series. He would up playing well and averaging over 40 minutes a game for the entire playoffs, basically a miracle recovery. The drug is illegal because it has elements that elevate testosterone. The CBA says it is illegal and if Lewis starting taking this “supplement” on his own or with the advice of an uninformed trainer is irrelevent. If the CBA is to be enforced then he should have been suspended when a split sample of the test came back to the league, during the playoffs, not now. While unfortunate, the league can’t have Stern and Adam Silver decide how and when to administer penalties of illegal drugs. What if Lewis hits the game winning shot in game 7 of the finals and this come out now. What a scandal that would create.
While I really don’t think Lewis used the DHEA to benefit in getting stronger from the steroid like effects, but I do think he was told the drug could help his tendonitis adding extra adrenal hormones which takes down swelling and inflammation. Who ever gave him the information apparently didn’t check that the drug was illegal due to the fact that it elevated testosterone. If the league wants to allow this drug as legal in the Next CBA, that’s fine but if a player breaks a rule as to drug use he must be suspended as close to the bad test as possible. Tis waiting 3-4 months and announcing it by the league is another attempt to keep down bad publicity, even though Lewis was probably unaware the substance was on the banned substance list.
Cameron Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
I believe Lewis 100% here. No doubt in my mind this was a simple oversight and nothing intentionally done to gain any sort of edge. This will blow over, and rightfully so.
Karewa Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
well..it must really be the worst steroid drug ever taken …just look at rashard…nuff said.
Rob Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
Larry, DHEA is not illegal. I’m not even sure you you have to be an adult to buy it. Didn’t read the rest of your post because it was obvious after the first few words you were trying to exaggerate what happened.
mike Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
im so sick of the media and fans that are so uneducated on steroids..the supplement he took is not a steroid..you can buy it in almost any market,ive taken it b4,it doesnt really do anything..maybe will help aid a steroid,but in reality it doesnt do anything,making a big deal out of this is stupid..why this supplement is even considered a steroid is beyond me,but seriously everyone needs to grow up and be educated on things they “try” to talk about it
go to your local market and look for this..its at walmart target you name it
Melvin Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
I wouldn’t really mind if he would get suspended for the first 10 games (the Magic is a strong team anyway). But with regards to whether he is saying the truth or not, I think he has pretty much convinced most of the people that he is an innocent dupe (including the NBA). I would really like to believe that is the case though.
lebron Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
steriods? far from that it’s only DHEA which is one of the common ingredients you can get from common over the counter drugs at GNC.
frank B Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
There are several levels to this discussion about Rashard in particular and steroid use in general.
Firstly, Rashard’s story is plausible but not likely. He is highly intelligent, makes tens of millions of dollars, gets drug tested four times a year, and really really wants to win like a lot of guys out there.
I didn’t know, I was just taking something over the counter, I didn’t know that a performance enhancing mixture over the counter might contain banned substances, I just got off the banana boat, give me a break.
He got caught using a banned substance which actually enhances his ability to play. Back in the day, it was blow. Can anyone say Len Bias?
Secondly, let’s not lump steroid use into all illegal drug use. Some drugs might help playing basketball, others definitely won’t. Smoking a joint or shooting up heroin makes one a worse player. Adding additional punishments to the already strict societal punishments doesn’t do anyone any good. Opposing players want their opposition to be stoned to death before they play, don’t they?
On Eddie Johnson’s Blog, Michael Bennett asks why Chris Anderson would get a suspension measured in years and Rashard Lewis a suspension measured in games. That is a good question. One assumption made is that Anderson was smoking Marijuana; my guess is that another substance is involved, meth, coke or something else, but maybe the NBA announced the reason for Anderson’s suspension and I missed it. Regardless, what set of values is illuminated by suspending one guy so much longer than another?
Thirdly, the central theme of Mr. May’s article is moralistic; Rashard is such a nice guy, the nicest guy in the League, so no way could he be so bad.
Is it bad to try to win? I’ll let the other philosophers on hoopshype address that one, but the my guess is that most guys try to push the envelope on virtually every aspect of the game to get an edge on their opponent.
The bottom line is, for better or for worse, steroids and other substances can and do enhance athletic performance. I remember the East German women coming into the Olympics and destroying everyone with cutting edge chemicals.
I am a free thinker and believe in personal liberty. However, when one is making millions of dollars, part of the reason they are doing so is the belief by the public that the playing field is fair and what they are watching is being created in front of them magically. We spend our lifetimes in this country following these athletes and we wan’t to have a fair playing ground by which to evaluate whether Dr. J would slam on Lebron James because the intrinsic nature of both men make us fascinated to watch them. We play, but we can’t play like them.
When some persons are enhanced in the short term by taking certain substances, the playing field is not level, our fascination with the players humanity is usurped by our disdain of their “cheating”, and the illusion of fairness is shattered. We wonder if it was the drugs or the man.
Arthur Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 7:53 pm
First of all DHEA has NO EFFECT in terms of recovery, muscularity or anything else. Unbeknownst to most people…testosterone levels and the acceptable ranges of them are completely arbitrary. I am a long time steroid user and I am proud of it. Rashard didn’t take anything worth taking.
That said…if you dupes honestly believe that basketball is free of anabolic steroids you are stupid. Its not 50-90% like it is in the NFL, NHL or MLB but its there. Yes…I said it, to this day 50-90% of athletes in the aforementioned sports take steroids or growth hormone. If you want to pretend they don’t…more power to you. Hell…there are high schools around my area that at least half of the football team was using steroids. And they are not even big time HS’s. Get your head out of the sand.
There is NO cheating in sports. Steroids should be 100% allowed and if you don’t use them…its your fault.
timmy D Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
I actually dont care that he took this stuff but Im sick of people believing these athletes. I am just a normal dude and I take vitamins and used to take some work out supplements in college and I knew everything I was taking. Yet Im supposed to believe this high level athletes that make millions put stuff in their bodies and have no idea what it is?? Not very likely. Just fess up and say you were worried about not getting hurt and wanted to live up to your contract and taking stuff like this is a way to increase your heal time and workouts.
But Im not buying that they dont know and if they really just take stuff and dont know what it is then they are idiots anyway and I wouldnt want them on my team to begin with.
Rick Chao Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
Do I believe he’s innocent? Yes
Do I believe a punishment should still be carried? Yes
But do I think 10 games is too much? Yes
First, You might think, “Mehh, it’s only 10 games”
But that’s a HUGE chunk out of the 82 game regular season. But seeing how important he is to the Magic’s game, it could even make a difference of being 40-40 as compared to 50-30, which is the difference between high-seed contender and barely making playoffs.
I’d say.. . 5 games seems fair. (btw, i’m not a Magic fan, though I do like their franchise)
Paul Said,
August 7, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
Believe Him ? Lol..um non , he took banned supplements. Only people who are going to be in denial are magic fans, who are going to believe him. I sure dont, I was hoping for a season bann on him.
Stephen Janetzki Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 3:54 am
I believe that we need to give Rashard Lewis the benefit of the doubt in this instance. Just take a look at the guy and you can tell that he’s not the type of beast that would be abusing steroids.
New England Sports 24/7 :: Today’s Celtics Links 8/8 Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 9:37 am
[...] makes the Boston Celtics the most hateable (and entertaining) team in the league Hoopshype Believe Lewis CSNE The Friday Monologue The National Marbury is in love … with himself [...]
Arthur Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
A season ban for something that does nothing? Absurd. Anabolic steroids would have dubious benefits for a basketball player, that is why it is not common. If steroids actually benefited basketball players it would commonplace like it is in the other major sports.
Lovisto Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Playing HS sports, college sports, and being in the military, I have seen many people use. mis-use, and abuse steroids.Many of them were nice, trust worthy, law abiding citizens, and good friends. But, they all had one thing in common, they would never reveal to anyone that they used roids. They would always make excuses for their usage if they were discovered
So, Why should I believe Rashard Lewis? The greatest man on Earth wouldn’t admit that he knew he was taking a banned substance if he was caught(assuming the greatest man on Earth were to take steroids). He(and anyone else who is caught) is going to say what needs to be said in order to protect his image, his spot in the league, and his money.
LaAllDay Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
Steriods in the nba? If theres any sport that doesn’t need it, it’s the NBA. What is he gonna do now, spot up and shoot 3’s from halfcourt? He’s not a beast in the post, his game hasn’t changed, I believe Rashard 100%. It’s an over the counter drug, it isn’t like those lames who play baseball or football who meet up with an actual drug dealer. I haven’t ever heard of steriods giving you a deadly jumpshot.
LaAllDay Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
@arthur, I just now read your last post. Very true!
ED Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
If he took it and says he didn’t know about it, I believe him for all the reasons previously stated…and one more. Just the other day I read something on line. I wish I could remember where. But anyway, I was looking for a dieuretic. I have heart problems and fear I am dangerously absorbing fluids. What I read was that cranberry juice and lemon make a dieuretic, and it also hides some steroids.
If Lewis was smart enought (or dumb enough) to knowingly take steroids, he would have had advise from friends…who also would have advised him on techniques to hide its use.
Rake Said,
August 8, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
harhar anybody believing the nba is less drug-infected than other us-leagues is an idiot.
look at player like howard or james and tell me their pumped up bodies are all a result of none-doped training.
just because basketball involes quite some finesse, it doesnt mean pumpin your body to the max wont help - especially with the athletics-first aka circus-show style the nba is promoting as “basketball”.
most drugs will just make it easier to train more, play more and recorver faster well who in the world would ever think a nba-pro might profit from that….
Larry Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
The drug is proven to raise the body’s testestosterone level and that’s why all the mjor sports ban it. As Shaq said, you should know everything you put in your body and if you don’t ask the trainer. The CBA says this drug is a banned substance. The players signed off on that. If you don’t want to play by the rules, go be a tall janitor.
As to to guy taking steroids, is your doctor giving you a script for them for a need? If not you are breaking the law, regardless of whether you believe that they should be legal. Last I checked we are a coontry of laws
Kane Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
First, I am a Magic fan,
This is one of the lowest effecting drugs on the illiegal list set by the nba and Rashard Lewis made an unintentional STUPID mistake by taking any medication with out running it by team doctors.
He as the rules state should be suspended for 10 games (even though the drug of use is barely a drug at that, its not a steriod! its a chemical which is used in making steriods(wiki it))
So in conclusion,
Lewis is guilty of Stupidity, not being a drug cheat.
His suspension is warranted.
His reputation is not tanished.
Oh and guys go and read who else has been suspended for the same drug in years previous, L. Hunter.. and he is good guy of the nba too!
one more note. Chris Anderson’s suspension is in a whole different league. He was using coke! That is illegal in law and is ten times worse the what lewis took, which is legal
Arthur Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 2:03 am
And I bet you guys buy David Ortiz saying “I took a supplement”. Ha, Ha. Steroids are not common in the NBA, I suspect a few here and there but its an irrelevant issue in the NBA.
If anyone actually believes that these leagues test more than 10% of the samples they take…you live in a naive world. It is not in the league’s best interest to bust people so they chose carefully who’s sample they test. That is, of course, after they notify the players in advance that a drug test is coming.
No one wants to see drug free sports. End of story. Here is my article on anabolic steroids..perhaps people should know something about commenting.
http://www.arthurshall.com/x_2009_steroids.shtml
Arthur Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 2:04 am
**** “know something before commenting” *******
Poul Hansen Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 2:45 am
Naturally anabolic agents can be used to make through the season and recover from injuries.
Rahard probabably with the help of team doctors, used banned substances to be able to play in the playoffs. I suspect many players do.
100games a year? You bet there is some testosterone,HGH, and maybe nandrolone derivate drug use just to keep healthy.
Why would anderson get 2 years? They don’t want players dying in games, going insane, killing themselves with crystal meth or the like. Narcotics just post way bigger dangers for the image of the league and make the players way more uncontrollable.
@CalvinLotz Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 4:31 am
Um… yeah. Anyway, getting back to the article, I couldn’t agree more.
Johnathon Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 6:53 am
I completely disagree. When someone is worth more than $100,000,000 they do not shop for their own supplements, they do not buy their own groceries, they most likely do not even shop for their own clothes unless the clothes com to them. Rashard Lewis knew what ingredients were on the banned substance list and he could have very easily instructed his purchaser to make sure none of the things he was bought contained those ingredients. If Rashard Lewis were Jawad Williams it would be a different story. But Rashard Lewis has the means to ensure that he doesn’t break any rules and he did not employ them. It’s just like the pro-athlete DUI scenario, where they can most obviously afford a cab or a driver or a limo to get home from the bar and intentionally decide to drive thinking that they can get away with it this time.
Rashard Lewis may not be using steroids to “bulk up.” Contrary to the typical sports steroid scandal, most steroids and banned substances on the market aren’t use for “bulking up.” They are used for recovery time, to control inflammation, to extend endurance, etc.
In baseball, a pitcher bulking up hurts them. Oftentimes it takes MPH off their fastball (see Jerry Spradlin). But half the steroid users are pitchers.
www.celticstown.com Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Isn’t it a little unlikely that Rashard had no idea he was taking an illegal supplement? These guys are professional athletes, not your average, run-of-the-mill pickup-game players. They know what they’re putting into their bodies, and they know the effects it will have.
Rashard says he had no idea he was taking the drug. I don’t believe it, despite what everyone else thinks. It’s more likely, in my eyes, that Rashard took DHEA knowing full well the effects and knowing full well that if he got caught he could blame it on any average over-the-counter pill. DHEA may or may not be a steroid, that’s actually in dispute according to several scientific websites, but what it does is get easily converted into testosterone, raising a person’s testosterone levels.
I’m of the mind that Rashard knew exactly what he was taking, knew it wasn’t as potent as other PEDs but that he could pretend it never happened if and when he got suspended. I’m also of the mind Lewis isn’t the only one taking PEDs. Time will tell, I suppose.
justin Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 11:05 am
It wasn’t a steroid - It was a cover up for a steroid
Nate Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
I am a Seattle Native and watched Lewis play here for years prior to Oklahoma City RIPPING our team away. Lewis was smart to bolt for Orlando and get overpaid like most athletes are. He started in Seattle as a skinny spot up shooter and developed into a great scorer in this league. Not sure if he took the drug knowing or not but I can tell you he does not have the best track record. He did get a DUI here a few years ago and that hurt his rep amongst our fans.
Arthur Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Jonathon Said
“Rashard Lewis may not be using steroids to “bulk up.” Contrary to the typical sports steroid scandal, most steroids and banned substances on the market aren’t use for “bulking up.” They are used for recovery time, to control inflammation, to extend endurance, etc.”
You are making a common mistake amongst people who don’t know anything about the endocrine system. You are confusing corticosteroids with anabolic steroids. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like cortisone, prednisone, asthma meds, etc have no anabolic (muscle building) effect. In fact, they depress muscle mass.
Also…anabolic steroids have no positive impact on the cardiovascular system. You are thinking about a drug like EPO (ProCrit) that endurance athletes use. Not a steroid. Remember folks…not all PEDs are anabolic steroids but all anabolic steroids are PEDs. I’d be happy to answer any questions.