Rashard Lewis Suspended Ten Games by NBA

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis has been suspended ten games by the National Basketball Association for testing positive, for elevated testosterone levels. The suspension will take place immediately after the upcoming season begins. Lewis will be suspended without pay for the first ten regular-season games and is going to lose about $1.6 million of his $18 million salary for the 2009 season. League sources have said that Lewis tested positive for steroids precursor dehydroepiandrosterone, better known as DHEA. Lewis confirmed that he had taken an over-the-counter supplement last season, but didn't know the supplement was illegal or banned by the NBA. Lewis did not identify the specific substance and said that he should of researched the products contained in them and their effects.

The 29-year-old Lewis made a statement after learning of the news: "First and foremost I take full responsibility for the situation and accept the corresponding penalty. I apologize to Magic fans, my teammates and this organization for not doing the research that should come with good judgment. I hope every athlete can learn from my mistake that supplements, no matter how innocent they seem, should only be taken after consulting an expert in the field."

According to the reports, Lewis is only the sixth player to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs since the league began testing in 1999. This number is still very low, if you compare it to other sports, like baseball and football. Since Lewis is a first-time offender, he will get the minimum punishment, a 10-game suspension.

Lewis made his NBA debut with the Seattle Supersonics, where he played nine seasons with them, before signing a six-year deal with the Orlando Magic. During his time in Seattle, Lewis groomed from a bench player to an All-Star. In his last season with the Supersonics, Lewis averaged his best numbers, more than 22 PPG. Lewis, who is now an 11-year veteran in the NBA, was an instrumental part in helping the Magic reach the NBA Finals last year. Lewis missed the last three games of the regular season, due to knee tendinitis, but returned in the playoffs to average 19 PPG. He helped lead the Magic to wins over the Philadelphia 76'ers, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers in the postseason, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Lewis was the best player on the Magic throughout the playoffs, and was voted as an All-Star last season, for the second time in his career.

Lewis will miss the season-opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that the Magic eliminated and upset in the Eastern Conference Finals. Lewis may return to his team after the suspension is over, on November 16, against the Charlotte Bobcats.