(photo via ESPN)After reading the comments left by all of you on my headline after the Rashard Lewis news came out, I feel the need to explain why I thought it was "terrible news".
For one, I would like to change the word "terrible" to "unfortunate". As a Cavs fan, I view this as complete and utter bullshit (sorry for the bad language, Mom). It has nothing to do with Lewis' strength down low. Lewis came out to play during that Cavs series like he had never done before. But don't you think that over a grueling 6 game series, that his legs would have gotten a little tired? That his body would have gotten a little fatigued? I'm not saying that this is the only reason why the Cavs lost the series. If Dwight Howard, Michael Pietrus, Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston, and Courtney Lee were all caught doing something illegal in the NBA then I'd make that statement. But Lewis hit a game winner in one game, and a shot that ultimately sent the crucial game 4 into overtime. These two shots came at times when some players legs are tired (especially after 82 games, and 2 playoff series). It's more just something to think about for the purposes of the Cavs series. Not to mention they beat the Celtics in 7 games. If the PED made any difference at all in either series, it's really too bad for the NBA.
The main point I want to make is that this is really the first time that a significant player has been caught doing a PED in basketball during the "steroid era" of baseball. It could raise a lot of questions about other players such as LeBron, Dwight Howard, and other unmanly muscular players in the NBA. For now it is only potentially devastating to the NBA. If other players were to test positive for any PED, the league could wind up where it was just a few years ago: in the toilet bowl of US Sports behind Baseball, Football, and arguably Golf.
Some people argue that steroids wouldn't help in basketball, and that they would only hurt a person's jumpshot, but look at some of the best players in the game. Shaq, LeBron, Dwight, and Kendrick Perkins. These guys are muscle, body-you-up players. The only one that needs a jumpshot is LeBron, and I know that you all probably consider his outside game laughable (I don't, but the popular perception is that he can't shoot). If one of these people (or someone with an outstanding physical presence on the court) were caught doing steroids, it would be undeniable that they had been made a better player by the PEDs.
Rashard Lewis testing positive for a banned substance brings up questions that could hurt the image of the NBA, albeit momentarily or undeservedly. Overall, it can only mean bad things for the league if it becomes a trend.
For one, I would like to change the word "terrible" to "unfortunate". As a Cavs fan, I view this as complete and utter bullshit (sorry for the bad language, Mom). It has nothing to do with Lewis' strength down low. Lewis came out to play during that Cavs series like he had never done before. But don't you think that over a grueling 6 game series, that his legs would have gotten a little tired? That his body would have gotten a little fatigued? I'm not saying that this is the only reason why the Cavs lost the series. If Dwight Howard, Michael Pietrus, Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston, and Courtney Lee were all caught doing something illegal in the NBA then I'd make that statement. But Lewis hit a game winner in one game, and a shot that ultimately sent the crucial game 4 into overtime. These two shots came at times when some players legs are tired (especially after 82 games, and 2 playoff series). It's more just something to think about for the purposes of the Cavs series. Not to mention they beat the Celtics in 7 games. If the PED made any difference at all in either series, it's really too bad for the NBA.
The main point I want to make is that this is really the first time that a significant player has been caught doing a PED in basketball during the "steroid era" of baseball. It could raise a lot of questions about other players such as LeBron, Dwight Howard, and other unmanly muscular players in the NBA. For now it is only potentially devastating to the NBA. If other players were to test positive for any PED, the league could wind up where it was just a few years ago: in the toilet bowl of US Sports behind Baseball, Football, and arguably Golf.
Some people argue that steroids wouldn't help in basketball, and that they would only hurt a person's jumpshot, but look at some of the best players in the game. Shaq, LeBron, Dwight, and Kendrick Perkins. These guys are muscle, body-you-up players. The only one that needs a jumpshot is LeBron, and I know that you all probably consider his outside game laughable (I don't, but the popular perception is that he can't shoot). If one of these people (or someone with an outstanding physical presence on the court) were caught doing steroids, it would be undeniable that they had been made a better player by the PEDs.
Rashard Lewis testing positive for a banned substance brings up questions that could hurt the image of the NBA, albeit momentarily or undeservedly. Overall, it can only mean bad things for the league if it becomes a trend.
Worst case scenario: Lewis took this drug and it made him a better version of himself which helped him to lead the Magic to the NBA Finals where they lost. Had the Celtics or Cavs made it they would have given the Lakers a much more enticing battle. Additionally, the PED case does not rest solely with Lewis, other big name players such as Kobe, LeBron, Dwight, DWade all test positive and the NBA bounces from the realm of relevancy.
Best case scenario: Lewis only took the PED to be able to grow his unbelievable facial hair he had in the playoffs, and if anything it made his basketball game worse.
A quote regarding Darius Miles when he tested positive to leave you with. You can make your own judgments of the NBA, and other professional sports leagues. I'm not ready to trust NBA players any more than any other athletes:
If you ask me if I think performance-enhancing drug use is rampant in the NBA I will say that I don't think so, but I'm not certain. If you ask me whether I trust the NBA to be vigilant against PED's or to take care of the problem if it already has one, I will say no. If you ask me if the NBA could be more invested in protecting players rather than revealing them, I'd say there's considerable incentive for them to do so.
It's not so much that my suspicion is overwhelming, it's that my trust is thin.
Good analysis. It is potentially "unfortunate" news for the NBA (and certainly unfortunate for Lewis), but not terrible.
ReplyDeleteReaders of Zeus would sure like to know your reaction to LeBron's proclamation that he won't sign an extension this summer because he wants to "keep his options open." Given that he likely could sign his most lucrative extension now (if he waits until next year to sign the crashing salary cap reduces how much he can get paid in the out years of his next contract--whether with Cleveland or not), what is his incentive to wait other than his desire to relocate to another team?
ReplyDeleteThe incentive is pretty obvious. Other than the very small chance that he goes elsewhere, i would say that he wants to make sure that Danny Ferry & Co. continue to work to make the team better. No one wants to get stuck in a long conract on a team that isn't looking to win every where. The Cavs certainly appear to be doing that, but he doesn't want to let Ferry take a nap for the next year and not continue to add good to great players to this improved team. Additionally, with the bird rights on LeBron, the Cavs can go over the cap to give LeBron as much money as they want to... it would affect other free agent signings, but with the signing of Varejao this summer they won't be able to sign anyone significant next summer anyway. Cavs fans don't fret, NYK fans don't get your hopes up.
ReplyDeleteI'll write an article later.