Suspended Rashard Lewis Starts Magic Season at Home

ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic will raise their Eastern Conference title banner Wednesday night at Amway Arena, then begin the most anticipated season in franchise history. And Rashard Lewis will be at home watching on television, riding a stationary bicycle.

Just the thought makes him cringe.

"I knew this day was coming but I'm still upset every time I think about it,'' Lewis said Tuesday after a Magic practice. "I was part of winning that banner, and I won't be there to see it go up. But you do the crime, you pay the fine.''

Lewis will be home serving the first game of a 10-game suspension he incurred last spring for violating the NBA's substance abuse policy. A routine drug test revealed an elevated testosterone level, stemming from a banned substance (DHEA) found in an over-the-counter supplement he was taking.

It will cost him an estimated $1.6 million from his $18 million salary.

Even without Lewis for the first 10 games, the Magic still are expected to battle the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers again for the top spot in the East. All three teams added proven All-Star veterans to last season's roster.

"I won't enjoy this (being at home) at all. I'm sure we'll do well, but if we lose a game, I'll be blaming myself for not being there,'' he said. "There's nothing good about it.''

Lewis still can practice with the team during his suspension, but he must be out of the arena at least two hours before game time. He still will travel with the Magic on early road trips, but will return to the team hotel to watch it on television. For the first five games, the Magic will only be allowed to have an active roster of 11 -- one fewer than everyone else -- but they will be allowed to add a 12th player beginning with their sixth game.

Lewis practiced Tuesday, but he didn't play in the final two preseason games so the Magic could work on their playing rotation without him.

Starting in his spot Wednesday will be second-year forward Ryan Anderson, obtained this summer from New Jersey in the trade that also brought Vince Carter. Anderson is much like Lewis as a power forward whose best weapon is a three-point shot.

Lewis said he likely will start the game on his stationary bike in front of the television, and watch most of the game by himself, studying it like a coach.

"I'll be focused on the game and won't really have time to react with family or friends. I'll be critiquing everything, paying attention to little things we do,'' he said. "I just want to make sure I'm up to speed when I come back.''

Lewis has been working closely with the team's strength and conditioning coach, moving into a different phase of his workout when the rest of the team finishes.

"He's been stepping aside a little bit, making sure our other guys, the new guys, are getting the repetitions they need,'' said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "Rashard has been great. He's focused on staying in shape to make sure he's ready when he does come back.''