Rashard Lewis Working to Expand His Game

As a small forward with the Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis acted primarily as a spot-up shooter, and a good one, too. But since a trade brought him to the Washington Wizards—and a little before then—he’s fallen off some, and it’s become evident that he’ll need to expand his skillset to survive in the NBA. Lewis told HOOPSWORLD that he plans to do just that: “Lewis is completely healthy and competing in Impact Basketball’s Competitive Training Series in Las Vegas. He’s suiting up alongside teammates John Wall, JaVale McGee, Jordan Crawford, Shelvin Mack and Larry Owens, and feeling great. Now, as Lewis prepares for this upcoming season, he’s making several alterations to his game. While he became known as a spot-up shooter during his time in Orlando, he wants to ditch that label in Washington. ‘I’m trying to get away from being just a spot-up shooter,’ Lewis told HOOPSWORLD. ‘My whole goal is to get back to attacking the basket, posting up and being a small forward like I was in Seattle. I’m not complaining about being a spot-up shooter in Orlando because it was great and I’ll do anything for the team to help win games. That’s how we won ball games, by spreading the floor and having Dwight [Howard] inside. Now, for me, I have to get back to being aggressive and attacking the basket as well as shooting the three.’ In two of the three full years that Lewis was with the Magic, he attempted more than 500 three-point shots. He led the NBA in three-point shots made and attempted during the 2008-2009 season. That won’t be the case in Washington, where he’ll play a very different role under Flip Saunders.”