Denton: Magic-Pistons Notes

By John Denton
November 6, 2009

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

ORLANDO – Rashard Lewis passed a milestone of sorts on Friday when the Orlando Magic played their sixth game of the season, meaning the standout forward is officially beyond the halfway point of his 10-game suspension.

Just knowing that he is in the final stretch of his NBA-mandated banishment for taking an over-the-counter banned substance last spring has helped Lewis deal with the frustration of being out.

Lewis, one of the Magic’s cornerstone players, said stomaching the suspension has been even harder than he thought it would be. He’s practiced with the team, attended shootarounds and gone to road games, but he’s not allowed in the arena on game nights. That was especially hurtful, he said, on opening night when the Magic unveiled the Eastern Conference championship banner and he had to watch on TV.

``It’s just tough not being there with your team,’’ Lewis said Friday morning. ``I was just telling Dwight (Howard) and MP (Mickael Pietrus), `Good luck tonight,’ but then it’s frustrating because I won’t be there for the game.’’

Lewis, who usually gets in an hour of shooting drills and conditioning work after practice, said he usually tries to get in a workout on his stationary bike before each Magic tipoff. Then, he sits down and closely watches the game, looking for what plays are being called and how the Magic are rotating defensively.

HOWARD’S RECORD: As if Dwight Howard’s stuffing of Detroit guard Ben Gordon in the first quarter wasn’t impressive enough Friday night, the block also proved historic for the Magic center.

The blocked shot was the 825th of Howard’s career, the most in Magic franchise history. He eclipsed Shaquille O’Neal’s 824 blocks set from 1992-96. O’Neal set the record in 295 games (2.79 average), while Howard needed 413 games (2.0 average).

In the past two seasons, Howard has blossomed into the game’s premier defender. He’s led the NBA in rebounding each of the past two seasons and last year he became just the fifth player ever to lead the league in rebounding and blocked shots in the same season. Howard, 23, also became the youngest player in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

J-WILL SUPPORTER: Stan Van Gundy coached Jason Williams previously in Miami, but he thinks the veteran point guard is playing some of his best basketball now with the Magic.

Williams, who is just two weeks shy of his 34th birthday, has showed no signs of rust after retiring from the NBA last season. There’s been no dropoff when he’s come into games in place of starter Jameer Nelson, and in fact Williams has even picked up the pace of the Magic’s fastbreak somewhat.

Williams came into Friday’s game averaging 6.6 points while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the 3-point line. More impressively, he has 26 assists compared to just five turnovers.

Van Gundy said the questions about Williams have always surround his defensive abilities, but he’s pleased with how Williams has guarded opposing point guards so far.

``I like the tempo that we have when he’s come into the games,’’ Van Gundy said. ``He gets the ball to open guys and he’s really competed at the defensive end of the floor. He’s certainly taken more responsibility at the defensive end than maybe he has in the past.’’

ETC: Magic power forward Ryan Anderson, who has started in place of Lewis and played well, limped off the court in the third quarter Friday night with a sprained right ankle. Anderson had 11 points versus the Pistons, hitting two more 3-pointers. The Magic’s second-leading scorer (15 ppg.) has made 17 of 39 3-pointers (43.5 percent) so far this season. … Star Magic guard Vince Carter missed his second game of the season Friday because of a sprained left ankle originally suffered a week ago when he stepped on an opposing player’s foot. Carter missed last Sunday’s win in Toronto, but tweaked his ankle again on Tuesday in Detroit. He worked on agility and strengthening drills Friday morning and could play Sunday in Oklahoma City. … Magic veteran point guard Anthony Johnson left the team Friday after his father-in-law died. He won’t practice with the team on Saturday, but will re-join the Magic in Oklahoma City on Sunday.

John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.