He put on his best fly suit, got a haircut, and practiced that look of surprise for when D. Stern called, “With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select, Rah-shahd Lewis.†He rehearsed a smooth, confident stroll across the stage, getting the new hat and remembering to give the bill some curve while adjusting the size. And he imagined the fake soul-brother hug with Stern, in the face of more flashbulbs than he’d ever seen.
The only problem was that no one reminded the Rockets, who selected Michael Dickerson and then Bryce Drew. When the 18th pick arrived, Rashard sat up a little straighter, only to get jacked when the Rockets tabbed Mirsad Turkcan. The entire first round came and went, leaving Rashard sitting alone in the Green Room—ironic, since he knew he’d be seeing less and less green with each pick that went by. “It was probably the worst feeling in my life,†he remembers, “especially slipping into the second round.†Then, with the third pick in the second round, the Sonics snagged Rashard Lewis.