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Denton: Lewis Preparing For Possible Position Change
By John Denton
September 30, 2010
ORLANDO – Over the past three seasons with Rashard Lewis manning the power forward position, the Orlando Magic have compiled a dazzling 170-76 regular-season record while capturing the franchise’s first playoff series victory in 12 years (2008), reaching the NBA Finals (2009) and getting back to the Eastern Conference Finals (2010).
What is missing from that resume, of course, is the championship that the Magic and Lewis covet so dearly. So even in the face of almost unprecedented success for the franchise, the Magic are seriously contemplating a position change for Lewis from power forward to small forward.
Small forward is familiar territory for Lewis, who spent the first nine years of his career in Seattle playing on the wing. But in Orlando, head coach Stan Van Gundy to some degree revolutionized the ``stretch four’’ position, using a front line player to predominantly shoot 3-pointers and leave the middle of the floor open for Dwight Howard.
But Van Gundy’s biggest regret following last spring’s defeat to Boston was that the Magic hadn’t worked enough in practices and games on switching Lewis to small forward in order to get more size on the floor. Doing just that has become the top priority of this preseason to better prepare Orlando for future playoff battles against the big frontlines of the Lakers, Celtics and Spurs.
``It depends on the matchup that night. If we’re playing a big team it’s probably best for me to play (small forward) and against a small team that runs up and down, I’ll probably move to (power forward),’’ Lewis said. ``If I had a choice, it’s about how we’ll win ballgames and if that’s me playing (power forward) then I’ll play (power forward). Individually, it would help me playing (small forward). But we have a lot of talent on this team. Brandon (Bass) is a strong player and Ryan (Anderson) has been working hard this summer. Being able to do both is the key.’’
Bass worked on film study and closely with assistant coach Patrick Ewing to become a better defender at power forward, and Anderson re-shaped his body in an attempt to be quicker and stronger. Either could start at power forward and center Marcin Gortat could also see time there because of his defensive and rebounding prowess.
But Van Gundy admitted on Thursday that he’s still somewhat leery about changing a formula (i.e. Lewis at power forward) that’s brought so much success to the Magic. The likelihood is that Lewis will start at power forward with newcomer Quentin Richardson getting the nod at small forward. While Van Gundy said he wants no part of a revolving starting lineup, he does want to the flexibility to change styles during games and against particular foes.
``I’m not sure where we’ll play (Lewis) the most, but I want to be ready to play him at either spot. I’m not, by any means, saying that he’s moving to (small forward),’’ Van Gundy said. ``If I had to guess right now I’d say he’s going to start at (power forward). But we want to be prepared to play him in other spots and last year we weren’t prepared to do that. I’m not going to make that mistake again.’’
Lewis, who signed a six-year, $118 million free-agent contract with the Magic in 2007, made the transition from small forward to power forward look easily. He’s made 614 3-pointers the past three seasons – easily the most in the NBA – burning teams that dared to leave him to double-team Howard inside.
Defensively, is where the major adjustment came. He’s has the height of a power forward (6-10), but hardly the bulk (230 pounds). He’s had to bang inside against Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Zach Randolph, and held his own defensively for the most part.
``It was an adjustment being a skinny guy banging down low,’’ Lewis said with a chuckle. ``Playing nine years at the three, I was comfortable and great at it. But coming to Orlando, I thought I did a good job adjusting to it. We had success, but three is my natural position.’’
Similarly, the switch back to the small forward will be a breeze on the offensive end of the floor for Lewis, who worked this summer on becoming more agile and a better ball-handler. It’s having to chase the likes of LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony and Danny Granger around screens and over the countless number of pick-and-roll plays that gives Lewis the greatest pause.
``I don’t want to say I can do it,’’ Lewis said. ``It’s going to be a work in progress. It’s going to take some time. Nothing happens overnight. And that’s why it’s good to be in camp and try it during the preseason and see how it works out.’’
Added Van Gundy: ``The concern with him playing (small forward) is never at the offensive end. But it’s whether he can guard the threes on the move in this league. It’s a different set of expectations.’’
Lewis and Van Gundy said the driving force behind the potential position switch is the nagging feeling of what might have been last spring against Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics used Garnett, a defensive ace, to constantly smother Lewis and effectively take him out of the series. What little success Lewis did have was when he played small forward and he was able to score over Pierce in the post.
Lewis said he can’t help but wonder what might have happened had he played small forward full time in that series. And he’s willing to make the switch now if it will put the Magic in position to win the championship he so dearly wants.
``We probably would have done better if I did play the three, but we didn’t do it because coach didn’t want to experiment in the middle of the playoffs,’’ Lewis said of the Celtics series. ``That’s why this year we’re going to get experience with both. The key is being able to do both.’’
John Denton writes for OrlandoMagic.com. E-mail him at
jd41898@aol.com.