"Rashard Lewis needed this test. Could he still chase a dangerous wing around the court? Could he maneuver around screens? Could he fight through pick-and-rolls? He passed his exam Friday night. Three years removed from playing small forward regularly, Lewis started at his natural position and helped stifle Danny Granger, one of the better scorers in the Eastern Conference. Lewis' play on defense, though not perfect, was one of the bright spots in the Orlando Magic's 93-86 preseason win over the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. "What I wanted to see out of him tonight was taking the challenge of playing the three defensively," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I thought he did a very, very good job." Lewis guarded Granger for long stretches of the game and rarely found himself out of position, especially in the second half. Granger scored only 12 points on a horrid 4-of-14 shooting night. Van Gundy entered this preseason wanting to experiment with Lewis at small forward, and the coach has said Lewis could begin the regular season as the starter at that position. Now, Van Gundy believes that the team has played better so far this preseason with Lewis at the three than at the four. "I'm fine with whatever he wants to do," Lewis said. Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson, the team's other power forwards, made big statements Friday." Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...ic-pacers-early-1009-20101008,0,2087768.story
