Rashard Lewis Suspended 10 Games by NBA

The off-season for the Orlando Magic has been fairly successful to say the least.

They acquired one of the best scorers in the NBA in Vince Carter, a former first-rounder with great promise in Ryan Anderson, and versatile forwards in Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes that can score and rebound.

What they didn't expect is one of their own to be caught with an illegal substance in his system.

Rashard Lewis has been suspended for the first 10 games of the season for violating the steroid policy. Lewis tested positive for DHEA, which many media outlets and sources report is a pre-cursor for a steroid. It is used to combat fatigue.

Sources reported Lewis asking for a re-test after he tested positive, and the medical staff for the Orlando Magic isolated the substance and found out it came from an over-the-counter medication that anyone can get from a local vitamin store or pharmacy.

Lewis explained he didn't know that substance was in that powder until one of the medical staff members pointed it out to him. He has expressed remorse and vows to be more careful when putting anything into his body.

Fan reactions are mostly in support of Lewis, but there are also the arrogant fan who criticizes the athlete for being that stupid to not know what he puts in his body.

While I do agree Lewis should have been more careful, I do believe Lewis made an innocent mistake.

Fans are quick to judge Lewis and say that he has tainted his reputation and that he isn't a good role model for the kids.

News Flash: Parents are supposed to be the role models period. Do not blame an athlete for whatever happens with your kids. The athlete isn't raising your child, you are.

Another thing is that some columnists have the audacity to compare what Lewis did in the NBA and how it would have fared in the MLB.

News Flash: DHEA is banned in the NBA, not in the MLB. If he were in the MLB and tested for this, this wouldn't be a story because it isn't illegal in baseball. You can't compare what an NBA player did (which by the way, only 6 players have tested positive for any type of banned substance by the NBA) to what MLB players have done for the last 20 years.

Doctor's diagnosis is to look at the situation closely before you judge a model citizen who made a simple mistake. Don't you believe any good person is entitled to a mistake? I do.