Rashard Lewis = X factor

Smash3 · Post #1 » by **Smash3** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 5:55 pm

What are your predictions for Lewis? 33 year old, and a lot of mileage. I still think he could be an important x factor in repeating as champs, if he gets his stroke back and stays in shape we will be that much more lethal and versatile.

Pimpwerx · Post #2 » by **Pimpwerx** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 6:13 pm

I have confidence he'll have a bounce-back season this year. I want to believe his time in Washington was down to lack of motivation and injury. PEACE.

Mars · Post #3 » by **Mars** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 6:30 pm

...To hear coach Erik Spoelstra put it, they signed a player who can do much more than he did in Orlando, where he was asked to mostly roam the perimeter while playing with Dwight Howard. Even more promising, Lewis appears finally ready to put an injury-riddled past behind him and play pain-free under the supervision of the Heat's top notch training staff.

"He's been working out on the court for about six weeks and about the last two and a half weeks he's been playing and scrimmaging upstairs," said Spoelstra during the 2012 Media Day annual event at the AmericanAirlines Arena. "Immediately you start to see his skill set that hurt us so much when he was with Orlando. (He's) a multi-skilled player. He's not simply a three-point stretch shooter (though) he does that very well."

As far as being just a one-dimensional player, Spoelstra sees more potential in the 6'10", 230 lb. player who was moved from the small forward position he played with the Seattle Supersonics to power forward with the Magic after signing a gargantuan six-year $118 million contract. Five years later, almost exactly to the day, he signed a much smaller contract with the Heat but with the goal to revive his career at the age of 33.

"He's longer than you remember," Spoelstra observed of his newest reserve. "He has an ability to post up. What we like is he can defend multiple positions."

"We've had to really preach patience with him and he's been an incredible, obedient participant with us because he's been so eager. He is really excited to get out there and play. He wanted to start playing a month ago, even though he was doing some running and shooting. We tempered that, everything was on a specific plan. Even up to a week ago, we were only allowing him to play 45 minutes of five-on-five. He amped that up this week. He's probably one of the few 32, 33 year old veterans that is salivating at the idea of a training camp."

Link

420 · Post #4 » by **420** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:08 pm

I'm looking forward to Rashard Lewis. Like Spo mentioned, it's not just his 3pt shooting that can help. Definitely an X-Factor.

RexBoyWonder · Post #5 » by **RexBoyWonder** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:19 pm

Agreed. could turn out to be a BIG upgrade. the guy was an allstar at 2009. he had a couple of injury filled seasons and now is starting to feel good again and regain his old form. very excited.

ReturnofMVP3 · Post #6 » by **ReturnofMVP3** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:56 pm

13 ppg on 45% shooting, 4 rebounds and 1 assist a game is what I see him being for us. Not bad because we also got the big 3 doing most of the heavy scoring but if he, Miller, Battier and to some extent Cole/Chalmers can shoot around 8-15 a night we should be prime for another deep playoff run.

OtW · Post #7 » by **OtW** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:10 pm

I think Rashard is going to have a bounce back year. Around 12/13 ppg, 4 boards, and good enough system help defense. I think he will be starting at the 4 for us with Bosh at the 5.

FlashFlare · Post #8 » by **FlashFlare** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:18 pm

Have a great feeling about Rashard Lewis. He's gonna have a ton of open looks. He's lickin his chops.

DWadeno3 · Post #9 » by **DWadeno3** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:50 pm

I actually liked Lewis a lot when he was with the SuperSonics and am excited about the talent he brings to our team. He's one of those guys everybody has written off because you barely heard anything about him in the past year or so and thus everybody believes he's done. In reality I'm sure his body is probably in the best condition it's been in a while. He was finally able to take some time off and heal all those nagging injuries he's accumulated over the past couple of years. Us being careful with his workout/practice schedule is a great sign of our organization handling players the right way. The fact that he's on the court now is very promising news because it'll help him to get rid of the rust and be in playing shape by the time the season begins.

ReturnofMVP3 · Post #10 » by **ReturnofMVP3** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 9:37 pm

DWadeno3 wrote:I actually liked Lewis a lot when he was with the SuperSonics and am excited about the talent he brings to our team. He's one of those guys everybody has written off because you barely heard anything about him in the past year or so and thus everybody believes he's done. In reality I'm sure his body is probably in the best condition it's been in a while. He was finally able to take some time off and heal all those nagging injuries he's accumulated over the past couple of years. Us being careful with his workout/practice schedule is a great sign of our organization handling players the right way. The fact that he's on the court now is very promising news because it'll help him to get rid of the rust and be in playing shape by the time the season begins.

Keep in mind his decline with the magic happened after they lost the finals and he was suspended shortly after for using a sports enhancing drug. When he came back off the stuff he declined quiet a bit for them and hasn't been the same since. It's not the fact that he was traded and upset (which is still a horrible reason to not play well) but because he began to suck being the second option without a little boost. Now no one is asking him to be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and maybe even 4th or 5th important player on the team so what he can bring still seems okay.

Also didn't he refuse to play for the Wizards at one point last year... The guy can be a diva so hopefully the Big 3 and Spo can keep him in check.

EscapoTHB · Post #11 » by **EscapoTHB** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:00 am

OtW wrote:I think Rashard is going to have a bounce back year. Around 12/13 ppg, 4 boards, and good enough system help defense. I think he will be starting at the 4 for us with Bosh at the 5.

I don't think there is 12 to 13 ppg to find on the team after Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Ray, and Rio get theirs. I think he'll be in that 7 to 9 ppg range with some good shooting.

This IsMy House · Post #12 » by **This IsMy House** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:27 am

I hope he has a bounce back year, if he does Miami will have the ability to stretch the floor like no other for LeBron/Bosh/Wade. He really just needs to move around a little, hit the open 3 and grab a couple of boards. I think he'll be able to do that on this team.

SweetTouch · Post #13 » by **SweetTouch** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:46 am

8 ppg at best

hopefully he's motivated

shooting ability doesn't leave

BIRDMAN BIRDMAN · Post #14 » by **BIRDMAN BIRDMAN** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:22 am

7ppg, 3 rebs

FlashFlare · Post #15 » by **FlashFlare** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:59 am

LeBron 26 7 7
Wade 24 5 4
Bosh 17 8
Allen 12
Lewis 7 4
Chalmers 10 4

That's only for 6 players. How about the rest? Ideally, with the kind of fire power we have and the fast pace we want to play, we should definitely be one of the highest scoring teams in the league. Couple that with our great defense, very scary

...but reality, probably not because it's the regular season and some games we're gonna look like we're coasting and not giving a sh*t. Nonetheless, super excited for the season to start. Red and white scrimmage on Wed. Oct 3!

twix2500 · Post #16 » by **twix2500** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:09 pm

The question for me is how will he be used? With Chris Bosh as center, talent wise I think Lewis is a better option as a starter at PF, than having Battier start at SF. His offense is better than Battier, he able to defend PF just as good as Lebron and maybe a little better, and most importantly allows Lebron to defend SF. I think Lewis can be 12 and 7 rebounds player in our system as a starting PF.

gp123 · Post #17 » by **gp123** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:36 pm

twix2500 wrote:The question for me is how will he be used? With Chris Bosh as center, talent wise I think Lewis is a better option as a starter at PF, than having Battier start at SF. His offense is better than Battier, he able to defend PF just as good as Lebron and maybe a little better, and most importantly allows Lebron to defend SF. I think Lewis can be 12 and 7 rebounds player in our system as a starting PF.

Im an Orlando fan and although It's going to be hard to watch him in a heat uniform I'm rooting for shard to have good season, one of my favorite players in the game and did a lot for Orlando community.

The problem with shard IMO is that his shot looks like it's suffered from not having his legs. Unless he's worked out very hard, he's also going to be victimized on defense by the quick 3's and strong 4's. He is a phenomenal team/system defender though, atleast in Orlando. He had a lot of game that we never utilized and if you can tap into what's left you guys could be pleasantly surprised

Post #18 » by **GameTime_3** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:32 pm

X-Factor is Riley. We still need a BIG. Joel, DEX and Jorts as our only Centers is bad! Last year we talked about it all year long. Were a Bosh injury away from big trouble!

MartyCONLONNN · Post #19 » by **MartyCONLONNN** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:48 pm

GameTime_3 wrote:X-Factor is Riley. We still need a BIG. Joel, DEX and Jorts as our only Centers is bad! Last year we talked about it all year long. Were a Bosh injury away from big trouble!

Last year's series against the Pacers anyone? That was also before we hijacked Lewis and Allen to make our team even deeper. I hope you're not suggesting that someone the likes of Darko (only kinda "legitimate" big we could afford) would be able to save us if Bosh goes down? As a mod that would just be irresponsible preachings :wink:

Post #20 » by **GameTime_3** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:12 pm

MartyCONLONNN wrote:
GameTime_3 wrote:X-Factor is Riley. We still need a BIG. Joel, DEX and Jorts as our only Centers is bad! Last year we talked about it all year long. Were a Bosh injury away from big trouble!

Last year's series against the Pacers anyone? That was also before we hijacked Lewis and Allen to make our team even deeper. I hope you're not suggesting that someone the likes of Darko (only kinda "legitimate" big we could afford) would be able to save us if Bosh goes down? As a mod that would just be irresponsible preachings

Boston took us to 7 games because of the lack of size. Indy took us to 6 due to size. Lakers have size and will be the team out west to beat. I'm not saying Darko but the X-Factor is if we can find that player. Am I scared? No we have LeBron, Wade and Bosh but I also see the X-Factor that could destroy us as the big man.