1998 draft leaves Rashard Lewis in tears

by CsQuArEd99 on May 25, 2009 6:53 PM CDT

[Note: This is a particularly interesting FanPost for me, because my middle school basketball coach, Ron Dickey, coached Rashard when he was at Alief Elsik. I actually talked to Coach Dickey about it the other day at a reunion, and he remembers Rashard being "long, tall, and unwilling to drive to the basket." But he also noted that "he could really stroke it from three" and that "he was one of the nicest kids I've ever coached." Though I have no personal ties to Rashard myself, I'll be rooting for him. That said, do I still want the Cavaliers to win? Yes.

--Tom]

"I still think about that day all of the time," Rashard admits. "I don't know why. I'm happy what I'm doing now and where I'm at. I'm happy being in Seattle, but it just something about that draft day."

"You know I was just a kid. I was just 18 years old, excited about being drafted to the NBA. I felt like all of Houston was watching me. My high school was watching me. I think they had a draft party at my coach's house. I'll never forget that day, being in the green room with my family and my agent."

"As my name was getting passed, I couldn't even take it no more and I had to leave and go to the restroom because I didn't want nobody to see how hurt I was. So I started crying in the restroom while nobody was around."

I can't believe the Houston passed him not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!! Well I've been watching the Cavs Magic series thinking this Rashard Lewis can ball! But just recently I was amazed to find out he was from Houston. I was amazed to find out he went to Elisk High School where I go to school, and more amazed to think he couldve been a Rocket! I understand Michael Dickerson and Bryce Drew becuase they did show potential but Mirsad Turkcan?!?!?!??! Seriously?

I know, I know the Rockets wouldn't have been the team they are today blah blah blah. But still.....

"Veron Maxwell, Sam Casell, Hakeem Olajuwan, Robert Horry ... I could go down the list," said Lewis. "I was a big fan of the Houston Rockets. I'm still a fan of basketball and the Rockets are still one the of the teams I'm a fan of regardless of the situation that happened. There's no bad blood held. I was upset at first, but I've been in the league for 9 years."

For someone who started their NBA career crying in a bathroom stall it looks like he has a pretty bright future ahead of him. Good luck Rashard! You're 2 games away from winning it all!

No cursing in title. No pirated material, such as links to online game streams. Do not cut/paste entire sections of content from other websites. Thanks.

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Comments

Yeah, he should've been a rocket.

What’s really sad about the whole thing (besides Rashard Lewis crying in the green room at the draft) was that the three guys the Rockets took ahead of him never really did anything. Turkcan was traded for a first-round pick (I don’t remember what that turned into, probably a part of the Francis deal). Dickerson was part of the Steve Francis trade. Bryce Drew sucked. At least Mobley was pretty good.

Your friendly neighborhood Dreamshake mod.

by Only_A_Lad on May 25, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions

Dickerson was very good

But got injured and couldn’t live up to a huge amount of promise.

There was absolutely not excuse for drafting the other two guys though NONE

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on May 26, 2009 6:47 AM CDT up reply actions

sure, give him a 7 year 137 mil contract and he will be a rocket

by o_oholycrap on May 26, 2009 12:31 AM CDT reply actions

He is ridiculously overpaid right now

But it’s hard not to root for the guy

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on May 26, 2009 6:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Pride of Houston in the NBA

I’m proud of this dude. Forget the what-ifs, I’m glad he’s doing well. I’ve only heard good things about him off the court too, which is more than I can say about some other Houston area products.

Go Magic (kind of)!

by flipasta on May 26, 2009 12:59 AM CDT reply actions

an ugly contract.

but still a very likeable guy. he’s not a douche like some players lakers varejao

I'll snap yo neck like a twig if you sass me again. . .

by Duhoh on May 26, 2009 2:11 AM CDT reply actions

damn that Lakers Varejao

he’s the player we all love to hate.

Your friendly neighborhood Dreamshake mod.

by Only_A_Lad on May 26, 2009 2:15 AM CDT up reply actions

huh?

“You’re 2 games away from winning it all”

6 by my count… but… okay.

by grungedave on May 26, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions

i mean the series if they win ya know

????

by CsQuArEd99 on May 26, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Really.....

disappointed in how they did not select him in the draft, one of those guys that would have played his heart out for his home team. would have been real nice to see what he would have done in a rockets jersey. and was probably a big factor in him not signing with us when he had another chance before going to orlando..was kinda hoping he would have signed with us, but i understand.

by kg_2005 on May 26, 2009 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

That would have been awesome

But in all honesty, our deal was nowhere close to what the Magic were offering him. Call him overpaid (which he probably is), but hes a huge reason they are where they are right now. And I’d go so far as to say hes the main reason they’re on the brink of winning this series.

by flipasta on May 27, 2009 5:00 AM CDT up reply actions

BLAME RUDY T

Rudy T made to choice to pass up Lewis because Rudy didn’t like the idea of high schoolers to jump straight into the league.

Oh well. What could have been.

by Reeko_Htown on May 27, 2009 9:31 AM CDT reply actions

I remember that

I was so sad for the guy. I started crying myself.
Rudy was a great coach though.
This dude is a clutch closer.
Dangit someone bring him home plzzzzzzzzz

by miss_eve on May 28, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions