The Seattle SuperSonics drafted Rashard Lewis with the 32nd overall pick of the 1998 NBA Draft and he was with the team for nine seasons before moving on to the Orlando Magic in a sign-and-trade deal. During his time with Seattle, he became a fan favorite and teamed up with Ray Allen in the 2004-2005 season and the duo led the Sonics to 52 wins and a Pacific Division Title under head coach Nate McMillan. Lewis and Allen went to the All-Star game that year and Sonics fever was alive and well.
Now... you know the rest of the story, more or less, and I'm not going to rehash that here. However, it's interesting to note that Lewis and Allen have reunited in Miami to play with Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James for the Heat's 2012-2013 title defense. After the Heat dispatched the former Sonics in the NBA Finals a few months back, Miami won some fans here in Seattle because they couldn't stand to see Clay Bennett and company win a title. With former Sonic favorites Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis down in South Beach, it now appears Seattle fans of that persuasion now have even more of a reason to root for the Heat next year.
After the jump, check out an interview with Lewis transcribed by SportsRadioInterviews, where he talks about how he ended up in Miami, how it will be to reunite with Ray Allen, and more.
How did you become a member of the Miami Heat?:
"Obviously I was analyzing teams and pretty much knew coming up this summer I would be a free agent after being traded to the New Orleans Hornets. You always analyze what teams you feel like you would fit in perfect with in trying to win a championship. I'm at a point in my career where I've accomplished a lot of things and the next goal is obviously to win a championship. ... The thing that they're trying to build in Miami and with this organization is something that they want to leave a mark in the history of the NBA. It's going to be, I think, legendary, and I want to be part of something they have brewing here."
Did the signing of Ray Allen in Miami play into it?:
"Oh yeah, most definitely played into it - a lot into it, actually. Playing back with Ray in Seattle, I learned a lot from Ray. That was actually when I made my first All-Star Game, playing with Ray Allen. He taught me a lot of things off the court as well as on the court. ... We had some good years together, played well together. We played well with each other and I think we can bring that back."
What's it been like bouncing around a bit the last couple years?:
"It's not always greener on the other side. But coming from Orlando, going to the Washington Wizards, most definitely [there were hopes for me] trying to win a championship in the city of Orlando and going back to play for a team that's trying to get in the playoffs ... I had the quad tendinitis at the top of my right knee and that prevented me from playing when I was traded ... as well as this year with the short season. ... I have pretty much been rehabbing all season long ... to get back to 100 percent. I've been back on the court working out and hopefully I can get back to where I was playing when I was in Orlando and when I was in Seattle. I'm not coming out here looking to be a scorer."
To read the rest of the interview, click here.