Sweet Lew must be sweeter

Bobby Abreu won the home run derby in 2005. He blasted home runs out of Comerica Park like he was using a corked bat and on steroids -- OK, maybe the wrong simile. But the home runs were flying out like he was barely swinging.

Then the second half of the season started and he could not hit the ball out of the infield. It was largely believed that he had to change his swing to win the home run derby and it was difficult to switch from exhibition to daily grind.

With the way Rashard Lewis has played the last few games, I am beginning to believe the same is happening here. Lewis is the type of player that it should not happend, but so was Abreu.

Lewis is one of the best shooters in the NBA. But his shot was not suited for the 3-point contest. And it may have changed his shot slightly enough to affect his play in the second half of the season.

But that is not what has made Lewis so important this season. He has done a fantastic job at not shooting the 3-pointer, but attacking the basket.

That has been the transformation of his game this season more than anything. He has become more comfortable in the offense and has been more aggressive off the 3-point line.

It was the aggression Orlando needed knowing full well that Hedo Turkoglu could not match the season he had last season.

The Magic fall into a rut when they sit at the 3-point line and shoot jumpers. Lewis is the first one to do that. But when he attacks Orlando is that much better.

That is what has really been lacking since the Jameer Nelson injury. Orlando has gotten the dominating play from Dwight Howard it needed to replace him.

Lewis has not upped his aggression and Turkoglu has been just as inconsistent. Lewis is the better player and he is having a fantastic year. It is now time for him to replace the Magic's point guard and become the player the team needs him to be.