"Does It Look Like I Take Steroids?"

Rashard Lewis is talking about this 10-game suspension for taking a banned performance-enhancing substance:

"I've taken over-the-counter supplements throughout my career," Lewis said. "It's a long season and I take stuff you get from health stores -- things to keep your immune system up, help your energy level, stuff like that. Early in my career, I was real thin and drank the shakes to try to put on weight."

"Look at me, I'm still skinny as hell. Does it look like I take steroids?," Lewis answered. "... I'm telling you it was an honest mistake. I would never knowingly put any sort of substance or steroid into my body that is against the rules."

While Lewis says he took a powdered nutritional supplement, he would not identify the exact name of the product. Why not? He could aid all his NBA colleagues by exposing this product as a danger to their reputation. It would also help to aid his "stupidity" defense. His secrecy only adds doubt to this already weak story.

How can a professional athlete put anything into their body without checking with team trainers and doctors and/or personal trainers? It's simple. You hand them the unopened container and say, "Can you check to make sure this won't get me suspended?"

Moving on, the Globe's Frank Dell'Apa updates (for lack of a better word) us on Marquis Daniels and Glen Davis:

There has been no change in the status of free agent guard Marquis Daniels, who has committed to the Celtics, and restricted free agent forward Glen Davis. Daniels would join the team on a biannual exception deal worth $1.9 million, unless a sign-and-trade can be devised. Daniels earned $7.35 million with Indiana last season. Davis, 23, who averaged 15.8 points per game in last spring’s playoffs, is awaiting an offer sheet.

Around the league, Pat Riley has reported reached out to Allen Iverson, and the Hawks are grossly overpaying for Marvin Williams.