Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: Los Angeles Times
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 4.0

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Lewis eighteenth in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft. By all accounts he played spectacularly during rookie camp, outplaying Doug Collins, the No. 1 pick in the draft and a star for the 1972 U.S. Olympic team. However, after a contract dispute, the 76ers said Lewis walked out. According to Lewis in 1985, 76ers coach Gene Shue told him to sit out a year and mature. The following year Lewis said he left because the 76ers "tore up my original agreement and said, 'Now you have to make the team.' There were 12 guys on the team with guaranteed contracts. I said, 'Wait a minute.'

In his second professional year he tried to play for the ABA's Utah Stars but the 76ers threatened a lawsuit that kept him from playing. In 1975, he was invited back to Philadelphia one more time, for the third year of his three-year contract, but did not make the team.
Lewis battled alcoholism and depression for the later part of his life. He died in February 2001 of complications following amputation of an infected leg and a stroke.

 I've seen the documentary on Raymond Lewis. He could really play basketball. They said the things he did on the court was how the players played today. Raymond, I'm sure was before his time, and it seemed the NBA didn't want him.

 Raymond would run down the court with the ball doing back dribbles. He was just unstoppable. He made his shots. When he reached 30 years old, he was still that good and never played in the NBA. He must've had something that Magic Johnson and Dr. J and all the other great players didn't have. They must have feared him. They had to. How are you not going to want someone as good as Raymond Lewis?

 Some people just don't want to see people make it, and when things are not so good in their lives, they wonder why. Raymond Lewis still made history with his God-given talent. He may not have made history the way Dr. J and all those other players made it, but he made history.  Raymond Lewis was so good the NBA didn't want him. Like I said, they feared him. Because as good as he was, he should have been able to play in the NBA.

You’re listening to EPS. I’m your host, Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Raymond Lewis. A legend.