Idea: Rashard Lewis Coming Off Bench

[Def Swami]

According to an interview with Coach Van Gundy on AM 750 WFLA, when asked if it's possible that Rashard Lewis come off of the bench, he responded by saying "It's reasonable."

Also, when asked about it today, Rashard agreed with the statement and said, "Starting in the next game you're going to see a totally different Rashard Lewis."

I'll look for a link to support this, but I heard the interview today. Also, in reference to the comments, I saw this coming at the end of the last game. Our 4 best players are Jameer, JJ, Bass, and Howard and all 4 should be starting. They bring the most energy and play with the most toughness and heart. I'd bet Vince is moved to the 3 and JJ starts at the 2. And hopefully Rashard can live up to his words. Thoughts?

[MickaelPietrus]

Just have both Vince and Rashard off the bench. I'd have QRich starting.

Nelson
Redick
QRich
Bass
Howard

Williams
Carter
Pietrus
Lewis
Gortat

[magicman123]

Starting in the next game you're going to see a totally different Rashard Lewis." lolol

[VCMagic15]

According to an interview with Coach Van Gundy on AM 750 WFLA, when asked if it's possible that Rashard Lewis come off of the bench, he responded by saying "It's reasonable."

Also, when asked about it today, Rashard agreed with the statement and said, "Starting in the next game you're going to see a totally different Rashard Lewis."

I'll look for a link to support this, but I heard the interview today. Also, in reference to the comments, I saw this coming at the end of the last game. Our 4 best players are Jameer, JJ, Bass, and Howard and all 4 should be starting. They bring the most energy and play with the most toughness and heart. I'd bet Vince is moved to the 3 and JJ starts at the 2. And hopefully Rashard can live up to his words. Thoughts?

[laVal03]

What's he getting a haircut?

[SmiteaDwight]

O man this could be really good, He's sucking in the starting unit, maybe a move to the bench could revitalize his offensive game especially if He's played at the 3. Maybe Ryno could finally get some time if he plays at the 3 in the second unit.

[gino_giode]

I think Shard is purposely sucking so that his stock is so low nobody would take him in a trade. That way he can outlast Vince and he'll once again be 3rd fiddle

[94_MagicFan]

I hope this is legit

[G-Heel]

By different he means sucking worse than ever before.

[Velociraptor]

The starting lineup shouldn't be changed up, but Van Gundy's sub pattern should.

Carter and Bass should start the game and be taken out together like at the 6:00-4:00 minute mark with Redick and either Pietrus or Anderson checking in.

Start the game:
Nelson
Carter
Lewis
Bass
Howard

From 6:00 to 4:00 of 1st to end of 1st:
Nelson
Redick
Lewis or Pietrus
Anderson or Lewis
Howard

Then either to start the 2nd quarter or early in the 2nd quarter Bass, Gortat, Carter, J-Will should check back in with Nelson, Howard, Lewis, and Redick check'n out.


Start of 2nd quarter or early 2nd quarter:

J-Will
Carter
PIetrus(or you can keep Redick in at SG and move Carter to SF)
Bass
Gortat

Then at about the mid way point of the 2nd you bring the starting lineup back in.

[Hilltop]

What's he getting a haircut?

LOL

[JF5]

Rashard has really been terrible. They need to bench him so bad.

Hopefully if he does up his play, he will be implemented back in the line-up. But I'm not really sure that he'll ever be good again.

[AgEnT50]

It takes us losing like this Shard' to say "Oh your going to see a new Rashard?"

Obviously you knew you were slackin

....he pisses me off so much

SVG should have benched this guy a long time ago

[Hilltop]

As a punishment, it sounds like a good idea. Let him come off the bench until he decides to play harder or perform better.

Then again, is it the best solution? Rashard can't create for himself and I don't see how playing with inferior players helps his situation at all. It's one of Nelson or Carter IMO who should be playing with the 2nd unit.

[ADRajX]

I want to see Rashard put up 24/4/2 off the bench on 3/6 3pt shooting, and 8/13 fg shooting, and 5/6 ft shooting... let's go Shard, bounce back, be our 6th man... post-up, drive, cut, take mid-range shots, move off the ball/use screens, set screens, hit spot up 3s, and play defense

let's try VC at SF, and start Redick at SG... if not, start Q at SF, and have Vince start at SG

Although... I'm not going to lie... I think having Rashard AND Vince come off the bench, and playing 2-3 offense against the other team's 2nd unit might help them get going offensively, and get the most out of them on this team

Just have both Vince and Rashard off the bench. I'd have QRich starting.

Nelson
Redick
QRich
Bass
Howard

Williams
Carter
Pietrus
Lewis
Gortat

Seems to be the most optimal option, Rashard needs Vince, and Vince needs Rashard in the 2nd unit... they'd both thrive against the other team's 2nd string

[Mad Balla 15]

As a punishment, it sounds like a good idea. Let him come off the bench until he decides to play harder or perform better.

Then again, is it the best solution? Rashard can't create for himself and I don't see how playing with inferior players helps his situation at all. It's one of Nelson or Carter IMO who should be playing with the 2nd unit.

Agreed. If anything (since Stan won't change his substitution patterns) Vince should come off the bench. I guess the only benefit of this is Rashard will get most of the plays called for him during the "bench unit" time.

[firstblud]

send shard to the D-league

[magicfan4life05]

FWIW, in BS's article about this he says SVG won't make a change:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/o ... 920.column

Much to my surprise, Van Gundy didn't reject out of hand the notion of Lewis as a sixth man.

"It's reasonable," Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy even indicated he has toyed with rearranging all the furniture in the lineup — except at center, of course.

But Stan says he has no plans to change Lewis' role, adding that the defense already has lost its identity during this skid.

Here's what Lewis thinks about it:

"I don't know if it would necessarily be better," Lewis said. "But I understand what you're saying. Like [Dallas guard] Jason Terry. He comes off the bench, but plays starter's minutes."

Instead, Lewis told me that, beginning Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers, people will see a new Rashard Lewis. Which, he hopes, looks like the old Rashard Lewis — aggressive from opening tip.

"I don't blame anybody. You got to look in the mirror sometimes," he said. "I have to get back to being my old self that got me in this position, got me this contract."

He is averaging 12.2 points and shooting 41.9 percent — down from career averages of 16.7 and 45.6 percent.

"This season I've been deferring to Vince, Jameer and Dwight," he continued. "I've been kind of sitting around, watching these guys play and then try to get myself going.

"It's not working, me deferring."

[Hilltop]

As a punishment, it sounds like a good idea. Let him come off the bench until he decides to play harder or perform better.

Then again, is it the best solution? Rashard can't create for himself and I don't see how playing with inferior players helps his situation at all. It's one of Nelson or Carter IMO who should be playing with the 2nd unit.

Agreed. If anything (since Stan won't change his substitution patterns) Vince should come off the bench. I guess the only benefit of this is Rashard will get most of the plays called for him during the "bench unit" time.

The only benefit of doing that is to 'punish' him for poor performance really. Bringing him off the bench does nothing else. Pretty much all you can do with Rashard is post him up if he isn't waiting for the open 3-pointer. He is going to have an even harder time getting going when he's playing off guys like Pietrus and Duhon/Williams.

[JF5]

Here's what Lewis thinks about it:

"I don't know if it would necessarily be better," Lewis said. "But I understand what you're saying. Like [Dallas guard] Jason Terry. He comes off the bench, but plays starter's minutes."

Instead, Lewis told me that, beginning Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers, people will see a new Rashard Lewis. Which, he hopes, looks like the old Rashard Lewis — aggressive from opening tip.

"I don't blame anybody. You got to look in the mirror sometimes," he said. "I have to get back to being my old self that got me in this position, got me this contract."

He is averaging 12.2 points and shooting 41.9 percent — down from career averages of 16.7 and 45.6 percent.

"This season I've been deferring to Vince, Jameer and Dwight," he continued. "I've been kind of sitting around, watching these guys play and then try to get myself going.

"It's not working, me deferring."

Rashard has a **** excuse for every single stretch or game he's played terrible in.

I mean come on man...... You have to own up man... You were paid Superstar Money with 118 million over 6 years to be the First or Second option. You are freaking 4th, 5th option on this team for goodness sakes man. Hell on other nights your not even an option. You are not deferring man, you're playing terrible!

See I already didn't like him because of the contract the Magic gave him for what he does, but it was unwarranted because I don't know him. But now when he's making excuses it's really pissing me off. With that type of money he is being paid. There should be no excuses at all.