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New faces on display as Magic and Bucks begin season

Oct 31, 2007 - 1:23 PM Milwaukee (0-0) at Orlando (0-0) 7:00 pm EDT

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - Rashard Lewis makes his debut for the Orlando Magic when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

Orlando landed Lewis in a sign-and trade deal with the Seattle SuperSoincs over the summeer as the 28-year-old forward inked a franchise-record six-year, $110 million contract.

Lewis spent his last nine seasons in Seattle, averaging 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. Last season, Lewis had his best season, averaging 22.4 points and 6.6 rebounds despite playing in only 60 games.

Lewis isn't the only new arrival as the Magic also named Stan Van Gundy as coach.

Van Gundy coached the Miami Heat in 2003 until he resigned in December of 2005 as Pat Riley stepped in. During his tenure with the Heat, Van Gundy posted a 112-73 record in the regular season and a 17-11 postseason mark. He guided the Heat to the Southeast Division crown and a berth in the Eastern Conference finals during the 2004-05 campaign.

The Bucks, meanwhile, made news of their own in the offseason, drafting China native Yi Jianlian.

Jianlian is expected to start at the power forward position alongside former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Bogut and former lottery pick Charlie Villanueva.

Bogut averaged 12.3 points and 8.8 rebounds a game last season but appeared in only 66 games. Villanueva also was bit by the injury bug a season ago, playing in just 39 games while averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds.