duncan228
01-15-2010, 02:20 PM
Rashard Lewis Wants More Shots (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=tsn-rashardlewiswantsmor&prov=tsn&type=lgns)
SportingNews
When the Magic acquired Vince Carter this offseason, they announced that they were not content with last year’s Finals appearance. The squad needed a wing scorer who could create off the dribble, and VC filled that gap.
Unfortunately for Orlando, things haven’t worked out quite as planned. They’re still 26-13, but they’ve struggled of late and seem to be missing a spark. And Rashard Lewis, for one, isn’t thrilled about his role (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-orlando-magic-rashard-lewis-mia-0115-20100114,0,4321728.story). He spoke to the Orlando Sentinel:
"We’re not jelling. We’re playing OK, but we’re not elite. … where we need to be. It feels like we’re one of last-place teams." […]
"You look at the stat sheet, it kind of speaks for itself every night. I think in order for me to have a good game I have to make every shot, every last one of them. Because I’m not getting very many of them," said Lewis, an edge to his voice. "Guys coming off the bench are getting more shots. There’s nothing I can do about it. …
"I don’t think were just playing with a good rhythm on the offensive end as a team."
It’s no surprise Lewis would want more shots—he’s a two-time All-Star and was a huge part of the run to the Finals last season. But Vince Carter is very different from Hedo Turkoglu and Courtney Lee, the men he replaced, and Lewis was bound to see fewer shots this year.
These comments almost make it seem as if Lewis (and perhaps the Magic as a whole) expected Vince to be able to come in, play Hedo’s previous role as scorer and facilitator, and give the Magic a boost through sheer force of talent. But he’s not that kind of player, and the entire team should have been more prepared for these kinds of growing pains.
As we all know, a team isn’t just the sum of its parts. They’re delicate ecosystems that require care and attention, and what appears good on paper doesn’t always work out. The bright side is that the Magic still have until April to figure things out.
SportingNews
When the Magic acquired Vince Carter this offseason, they announced that they were not content with last year’s Finals appearance. The squad needed a wing scorer who could create off the dribble, and VC filled that gap.
Unfortunately for Orlando, things haven’t worked out quite as planned. They’re still 26-13, but they’ve struggled of late and seem to be missing a spark. And Rashard Lewis, for one, isn’t thrilled about his role (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-orlando-magic-rashard-lewis-mia-0115-20100114,0,4321728.story). He spoke to the Orlando Sentinel:
"We’re not jelling. We’re playing OK, but we’re not elite. … where we need to be. It feels like we’re one of last-place teams." […]
"You look at the stat sheet, it kind of speaks for itself every night. I think in order for me to have a good game I have to make every shot, every last one of them. Because I’m not getting very many of them," said Lewis, an edge to his voice. "Guys coming off the bench are getting more shots. There’s nothing I can do about it. …
"I don’t think were just playing with a good rhythm on the offensive end as a team."
It’s no surprise Lewis would want more shots—he’s a two-time All-Star and was a huge part of the run to the Finals last season. But Vince Carter is very different from Hedo Turkoglu and Courtney Lee, the men he replaced, and Lewis was bound to see fewer shots this year.
These comments almost make it seem as if Lewis (and perhaps the Magic as a whole) expected Vince to be able to come in, play Hedo’s previous role as scorer and facilitator, and give the Magic a boost through sheer force of talent. But he’s not that kind of player, and the entire team should have been more prepared for these kinds of growing pains.
As we all know, a team isn’t just the sum of its parts. They’re delicate ecosystems that require care and attention, and what appears good on paper doesn’t always work out. The bright side is that the Magic still have until April to figure things out.