In baseball, when a player first tests positive for PED’s, he is automatically suspended for 50 games, or 31% of the season. In the NFL, a first positive PED test causes an automatic 4 game suspension, or 25% of the season. Meanwhile, in the NBA, a first positive PED test results in a 10 game suspension, or 12% of the season. When MLB first instituted drug testing with penalties, a positive test resulted in a 10 game suspension, or just 6% of the season.
One reason why the NBA doping suspension appears weak is the lack of history and offenders. Since the NBA implemented drug testing for PEDs ten years ago (before MLB had a testing program in place), this Lewis suspension is just the sixth suspension. There does not appear to be a league wide doping problem seen in other sports. Yet, the NBA should toughen their penalties to be more in line with other professional sport leagues. At the minimum, a player should sit out for 25% of the season.
Rashard Lewis admitted that he made a mistake. He took a supplement and did not get all the proper information to see what was in it. Other players and the NBA should learn from his mistake.
Sherron Shabazz, our NBA Examiner, can be found here.
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