Free agent Lewis leaning toward rejoining Sonics By LAURENCE M. CRUZ Associated Press Writer July 5, 2000 SEATTLE (AP) -- Free agent forward Rashard Lewis says he's leaning toward staying with the Seattle SuperSonics, though he isn't giving many details. ``It's a good feeling that they're showing an interest in me,'' Lewis said at the Sonics' practice facility Wednesday, before a news conference for their draft picks, Desmond Mason and Olumide Oyedeji. Signing Lewis, who became a restricted free agent July 1, is a top priority for the Sonics. General manager Wally Walker said recently the team can offer the 6-foot-10, 215-pound small forward between $3.5 million and $4 million for next season. Lewis, 20, said money will not be the main factor in his decision. He said he wants to be with a team that works together like a family -- a potential he began to see in the Sonics last season. There was a little too much individualism on the team, he said, ``but it jelled a bit at the end of the season. We need to do that for the whole season.'' Lewis averaged 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in the Sonics' five-game, first-round playoff loss to the Utah Jazz. With increased minutes in the second half of the season, he began fulfilling the promise the Sonics saw when they drafted him in the second round out of his Houston high school in 1998. The 6-foot-5 Mason was a small forward at Oklahoma State. With the Sonics, he will be given a chance to play shooting guard, where Brent Barry is the starter. The Sonics got Mason with the 17th overall pick. Oyedeji, a second-round pick, played in Russia and Germany before coming to Seattle. A soccer player in his native Nigeria, Oyedeji will be given an opportunity to make the roster as a power forward. He said his dreams of playing in the NBA began when he saw his first pro game -- Seattle vs. Chicago. ``I saw Shawn Kemp doing all sorts of crazy dunks,'' he said. Oyedeji said he was depressed over slipping in the draft, but coach Paul Westphal noted that Lewis had come in as a second-draft pick and was now a burgeoning star. ``If you're drafted in the second round and you work, you can make it,'' Westphal said. All three players are on the Sonics' summer league roster. ``I like to work out during the summer. That's what makes my game better,'' said Lewis, adding he wants to focus on improving his ball handling skills. updated at Wed Jul 5 15:26:24 2000 PT ------------------ Having a Rockets jersey, $40.00 Having a Rockets t-shirt, $15.00 Having CLUTCHCITY.NET, PRICELESS!
Boy, am I Glad we didnt draft R. Lewis. Why? We would have had to trade him... To get Franchise the Grizz definatly would have wanted him. And with so much of his potential not showing till this year. We would have shipped him out. To us he would have been a fan favorite, but a guy who we picked up at 16-18 who would have fell to the second round if we didnt pick him(hey, that what happened). We would have shipped him and he would have no desire to play for houston anymore. How do i know we would have shipped him even if he had show glimps of potential, easy: Sam Cassell. I'm not knockin anyone. I'm saying the way things worked out could be best for the Rockets. Even thogh they flooked and didnt draft him.... ------------------ We need to do whatever we can to keep Cat and Coop playing ball in Houston...
Although, as nice as it would be to have Lewis, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to still have Harrington or Dickerson around. ------------------
