Magic GM Not Shocked By Rashard Lewis Steroid Suspension

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said Thursday that he was not shocked when a league official notified him this week that Rashard Lewis was being suspended for the first 10 games of next season for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug program.

Lewis tested positive for the testosterone-producing steroid commonly referred to as DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), which was part of a supplement he started taking late in the season. The chemical is banned by most sports leagues, including the NBA, but it is contained in several over-the-counter supplements.

The positive test stemmed from a urine sample provided by Lewis during the playoffs before they reached the NBA Finals.

More: Lewis Suspended 10 Games | Supplement Legal in MLB

"I live in the real world. Very few things shock me. I was a little taken aback, but I'm not going to go nuts over it,'' Smith told FanHouse after the league announced the suspension. "I've been around the league for 25-plus years, and I still don't know everything there is to know about all the banned substances.''

NBA players are randomly tested four times each season under the league's Anti-Drug Agreement. The first positive test for steroids or any performance enhancing drug, results in a 10-game suspension. The second positive test is a 25-game suspension and the third positive test would be a one-year suspension.

Smith talked to Lewis both late Wednesday and early Thursday before the league made the announcement.

"I do not think he was taking it as a performance enhancer, trying to get bigger, stronger, faster, or anything like that,'' Smith said. "We spend a lot of time trying to educate our guys on this stuff, but we have to do more. I still think the team, the players' union, the league, has to do more to let these guys know what they can and can't take.''

The loss of Lewis for the first 10 games will be costly to the Magic, who are coming off their finest season in franchise history. They were hoping to secure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this year, something they didn't get last season.

Lewis was a key player in their run through the playoffs, being named to the All-Star team for just the second time in his career. Without him, the Magic won't be as good for 10 games. Lewis was expected to start at either power forward or small forward. Without him, it's likely that newly-acquired Brandon Bass will be the starter at small forward and Mickael Pietrus or Matt Barnes at small forward.

"Ten games is a lot, but we can adjust. Let's not get too carried away. This isn't a football season we're talking about,'' Smith said. "We'll still have 72 left when he comes back. We'll get a better look now at guys early that we probably wouldn't have seen in this situation.''