Wow, can you believe that Rashard Lewis was selected in Round 3, pick 4 last year? A lot has changed since then - Brittney Spears is divorced, Paris Hilton was in jail, Rosie O’Donnell quit “The View,” and eventually replaced by Whoopi Goldberg. Jeez, I need to put down those gossip magazines!  (ED: No doubt, woman!)

In the fantasy basketball world, prior to the Kevin Garnett trade, one of the major headlines this offseason was the free agent signing of Rashard Lewis by the Orlando Magic. The Magic was looking for a 3-point presence to help prevent defenses from collapsing in on the man-child, Dwight Howard. In Rashard Lewis they have that 3-point presence and a lot more!

Round 2, Pick 5: Rashard Lewis, SF, Orlando Magic

Check out Rashard’s numbers in his last two seasons with Seattle.
’05-‘06 GP 78– 20.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.6 bpg, 1.8 threes, 1.8 topg, 46.1 FG%, 80.1 FT%, 38.4 3PT%
’06-’07 GP 60 – 22.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.7 bpg, 2.5 threes, 2.0 topg, 46.1 FG%, 84.1 FT%, 39.0 3PT%

Last year, Lewis had a career year in scoring despite a broken right hand which knocked him out for 2 months in the middle of the season. Rashard showed enough promise that Orlando came knocking in the off-season with a max contract of $127.2 million, six-year contract. No taxes in Orlando? Umm, yeah, easy sell. After signing the contract, Rashard was spotted doing his best T-Pain and Yung Joc imitation and buying young ladies many “drank"s at the clubs.

There is a lot to be excited about Lewis in the upcoming season. Last year, Rashard was able to knock down 2.5 threes with the intimidating post presence of Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison patrolling the paint in Seattle – PFFFT, yeah right! Now teamed up with D-Howard, who is a beast in the paint, defenses will not be able to cheat on Rashard at the perimeter or Howard down low in the box. Rashard should have more open looks from beyond the arc, so don’t be surprised if Lewis drains close to 3 treys a game and pushes his scoring average close to 25 points a game with solid percentages.

In the hustle stats, with defenses focusing on keeping Howard off the glass, Rashard will have his share of weak-side rebounds to the clip of 6-7 rebs/game. Rashard is not a hustle stat stud, however, he can still swipe the rock and reject a shot per game. I chose to team up Rashard Lewis with Amare Stoudemire because I loved the fantasy potential of Lewis in Orlando. With Lewis dropping treys from the 3 spot it could alleviate the shortcomings of players such as Richard Hamilton or Andre Miller who are not as proficient at shooting the long ball at the 1 or 2 guard spots. 

Lewis will lead all SFs and be near the top of the league in three points made next year and will provide fantasy owners scoring with solid percentages and decent rebounding from the 3 spot. Pick Rashard Lewis early because he should be gone by the 3rd round of your draft! Oh my god, Nicole Richie is pregnant, I have to put these magazines away!

Previous Picks
NOTE: Fantasy basketball mock draft teammate in bold.

1.1. Lebron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
1.2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
1.3. Shawn Marion, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
1.4. Kevin Garnett, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves  
1.5. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks
1.6. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Washington Wizards
1.7. Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
1.8. Amare Stoudemire, PF/C, Phoenix Suns
1.9. Dwyane Wade, PG/SG, Miami Heat
1.10. Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors
1.11. Elton Brand, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
1.12. Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets

Previous Picks this Round

2.1. Pau Gasol, PF/C, Memphis Grizzles
2.2. Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
2.3. Jason Kidd, PG, New Jersey Nets
2.4. Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers