LeBron Goes Public With His Want for Z’s Return

LeBron is nothing if not loyal.  He has played with Z longer than he’s played with anyone else his whole life (including the fab 4)

via YahooSports!

WASHINGTON (AP)—Zydrunas Ilgauskas was waived Thursday by the Washington Wizards, and his old teammates want him to return to Cleveland.

“He knows I would love for him to be back here. I want him to be back here, especially while we’re contending for a title,” LeBron James said before the Cavaliers’ game in Boston. “He’s one of the main reasons why I want to win a title for this team.”

Big Z and LBJ

The 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas, who was acquired from Cleveland on Feb. 17 as part of the three-team trade that sent Antawn Jamison(notes) to the Cavaliers, didn’t play for Washington. He reported on Feb. 19, took a physical and immediately returned to Cleveland.

The 34-year-old is averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.

“We agreed to terms with Zydrunas on a contract buyout, giving us further financial flexibility and allowing our young big men to continue to develop over the remainder of the season,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said.

No team is far enough under the salary cap to absorb Ilgauskas’ $11.5 million salary for this season, so he will become a free agent eligible to join any team once he clears waivers. He would be able to rejoin the Cavaliers in 30 days, but could sign with another team immediately.

“I’m expecting to talk to about half a dozen teams in the league, including the Cavaliers,” Herb Rudoy, Ilgauskas’ agent said.

“He’s not going to rush into anything. He has time. He’ll let me know what he wants to do.”

Though he lost his starting job this season after the Cavs acquired Shaquille O’Neal, a return to the Cavs could be attractive for Ilgauskas. He’s spent his entire career in Cleveland after he was drafted in 1996, and the Cavaliers are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship this season.

“I think any playoff team—and that’s what we, we’re a playoff team—any playoff team would like to have his services, so we’d be just as eager as anybody else,” Cleveland coach Mike Brown said.

Over his 12-year career, Ilgauskas has averaged 13.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.

What did Big Z do on his last day as a Cav? He visited kids with Cancer.

February 17, 2010 – The patients at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital had their spirits lifted this afternoon when some very tall visitors stopped in to say hi. Following their practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts, Cavaliers players Daniel Gibson, Danny Green, J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West and Jawad Williams made a surprise appearance at the hospital going room-to-room to visit their young fans. They talked some basketball, gave out high-fives and words of encouragement before leaving behind a Cavs blanket, a smile and a memory.

He got the call about the trade in the parking lot of Cleveland Clinic right after he had finished his visit.

#BringZHome

Z Tribute Week: “The Giving Z” by John Krolik of CavsTheBlog.com

Krolik’s Site is here.  He does a hell of a job and writes for ESPN’s Truehoop Network

Once there was a Z….

And he was drafted by a crappy team.

And every day the team would come

and he would score them baskets in the post

and find his teammates with sharp passes

and they would run the offense through him

and ask him to win games

and even after his feet were hurt

he came back

and he made the All-Star game.

And the team loved the Z

very much.

And the Z was happy.

But time went by.

And the team grew stronger.

And the Z was often not featured in its offensive game-plan.

Then one day the team came to the Z

and the Z said, “Come, team, feed me in the post and let me drain turnarounds and hook shots and benefit from my passing and rebounding and be happy.”

“We are too good to feed you in the post” said the team.

“We have a new player.

We need you to run the pick-and-roll and the fast-break and hit threes.

We want to build our offense around him and win games.”

“I’m sorry,” said the Z, “but I cannot explode to the basket or hit threes.

Take my 18-foot jumper, my passing out of the high post, and my rebounding.

Use me to defend the rim.

Then you will have a good team and be happy.”

And so the team put Z off the ball

and became an Eastern Conference contender

and won 66 games

and even went to the Finals once.

And the Z was happy.

But time went by.

And the team grew stronger.

And the Z was often outmatched when trying to defend Dwight Howard.

Then one day the team came to the Z

and the Z shook with joy

and he said, “Come, team, feed me in the post and set me up with mid-range jumpers and be happy.”

“We are too talented to feed you in the post and set you up with mid-range jumpers,” said the team.

“We have a new center,” they said.

“He is one of the best of all time,

and so we need a backup center.

Can you be a backup center?”

“I am not a backup center,” said the Z.

“I have started my whole career,

but you can take my minutes

and use my shooting next to Anderson Varejao

to create an effective forward tandem off the bench

and use my size against the Lakers and then you will be happy.”

And so the team used the Z off the bench

and saw his field goal percentage fall

but have the league’s best record at the All-Star break.

And the Z was happy.

But the team did not need him for a long time

and when they came back

the Z was so happy he could hardly speak.

“Come, team,” he whispered,

“use me to space the floor offensively.”

“We are too talented and deep to use you to space the floor,” said the team.

“We want a stretch four that could give our team its first championship. Can you be that stretch four?”

“Use my large expiring contract and trade for Antawn Jamison,” said the Z.

“Then you can have an effective frontcourt partner for Shaq…and be happy.”

And so the team used the Z’s expiring contract as a trade chip and added Antawn Jamison and made a run at the NBA Championship.

And the Z was happy…

But not really.

And after a league-mandated 30-day waiting period,

the team came back again.

“I am sorry, team,”

said the Z, “but I have little left to give you.”

“I have little lateral movement left, and have had trouble finding the net on my jump shots.”

“I wish that I could give you something…

but I have little left.

I am just an old 7-3 center capable of drawing opposing bigs outside the paint.

I am sorry…”

“We don’t need very much now,” said the team.

“Just a veteran to help team chemistry, help match up against bigger teams, and stretch the floor when Varejao or Jamison plays.

We are very talented.”

“Well,” said the Z, straightening himself up as much as he could, “an old center who is universally beloved is good for keeping the team happy and helping them match up against some tough playoff teams.

Come, team, sign me and sit me down on the bench and use me when you need me.”

And the team did.

And the Z was happy.

Z Tribute Week: Dramatic Z

from

Z Tribute Week: Z Gets Drafted

Z Tribute Week: A Young Z Gets Interviewed

Cavs Press Release on Z/Jamison Trade

CLEVELAND, OH – February 17, 2010 – The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards and guard Sebastian Telfair from the Los Angeles Clippers, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. In exchange, the Cavaliers sent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, their first round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and the draft rights to forward Emir Preldzic, the 57th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, to the Wizards. The additional components of the three-team trade included the Clippers acquiring forward/center Drew Gooden from Washington and Washington acquiring forward Al Thornton.

11 will hang next to 25, 22, 43, 42, 7 and 34

“Z has been a cornerstone part of this franchise and his jersey will hang in the rafters here some day, not only because of his play, but because of the tremendous person he is and what he has meant to the franchise and the community,” Ferry said. “He has represented the Cavaliers, Cleveland and the NBA at a consistently high level for many years. We wish Z and his family the best.“

Jamison, 33, has averages of 20.5 points on .450 shooting, including shooting .345 from three-point range, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 block in 39.0 minutes per game in 41 games played (all starts) this season with Washington. He is the only player in the NBA this season with averages of at least 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while making 50 or more three-pointers. The 11-year veteran has been named an all-star on two occasions (2004-05, 2007-08) and won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award following the 2003-04 season. In all but two of his 11 seasons, he has averaged at least 19.6 points and has posted rebounding averages of 7.0 or better in eight of his 11 seasons. He has career averages of 19.9 points on .456 shooting, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 36.9 minutes per game in 839 games (732 starts) and is one of just five active players with over 16,000 points and 6,000 rebounds.

The forward from North Carolina has reached the postseason in five seasons and has averages of 19.2 points on .443 shooting and 7.8 rebounds in 37.1 minutes per game in 31 career postseason games (26 starts).

“Antawn is a great pro. We are very excited to have an experienced all-star player of Antawn’s caliber and character join us,” Ferry said. “He has the ability to add a special, unique dimension to our team with a strong inside presence and the ability to stretch teams defensively, while impacting the entire court. We think he matches the culture we have built, and continue to build, and will fit well with our group on the court and off.”

Telfair, 24, is averaging 4.3 points on .404 shooting and 2.9 assists in 14.9 minutes per game in 39 games played (one start) this season. The five-year veteran has career averages of 7.8 points on .390 shooting and 3.9 assists in 23.6 minutes per game in 388 games (181 starts).

Ilgauskas, a two-time all-star, has averages of 7.5 points on .452 shooting, 5.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game in 53 games played (six starts) this season. He departs the Cavaliers as the franchise’s all-time leader in regular season games played (760), postseason games played (64), rebounds (5,841) and blocked shots (1,259).

Drafted by the Cavaliers with the 20th overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian played all 11 seasons with the Cavaliers and has career averages of 13.9 points on .475 shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 28.4 minutes per game in 760 games (673 starts).

The Great Trade I Didn’t Want to Happen

Well, it happened.  The day the Cavs traded away my favorite player to go for the ring.  I can only hope Z gets bought out. If not, it will sour my love of the Cavaliers for a long time.

For years if you went to a Cavs game you know the first offensive play would be a dump pass into the post to Ilgauskas and whole crowd would go “ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!” Its one of my favorite things in sports.

I know you root for the name on the front of the jersey and not the one on the back, but I like rooting for Z. Hope to see you in 30 days my man.

Why don't you love me anymore?

Here’s the details:

A 3 team trade in which the Wizards received Zydrunas Ilgauskas and the Cavaliers’ 2010 first-round pick as well as Al Thornton from the Los Angeles Clippers. They sent newly aquired Drew Gooden to the Clippers. The Cavaliers received point guard Sebastian Telfair from the Clippers and Antawn Jamison from the stupid Wizards.

MVPuppets “Handshake” Featuring… Z?!?!?

Ilgauskas’ long road to longevity a lesson for Yao, Oden by Scott Howard-Cooper (nba.com)

by Scott Howard-Cooper (nba.com)

David Dow/NBAE/Getty Images

He is 34 years old now, in his 14th season in the NBA and his 12th season actually playing in the NBA, in a new role in Cleveland that could be seen coming and a new role in the league that no one could have envisioned.
What an unlikely record holder.
What an unexpected inspiration.
“I think if I can do it, if I can come back, then anybody can,” Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. “I’m not special.”
Except that he is.
That Ilgauskas is playing, period, in 2009-10, is meaningful. That he is playing an important role anywhere, let alone for the 27-9 Cavaliers, is the stuff of Vegas long shots. His is a comeback story for all-time in the NBA and especially in this time, in the season when the careers of Greg Oden and Yao Ming pretty much ended.
Just like the career of Ilgauskas pretty much ended a couple dozen times.
Oden has the coincidental and unfortunate linkage to Sam Bowie and Bill Walton in the tradition of centers picked very high in the draft who gimped their way through frustrating Trail Blazers careers. Yao has the burden of an entire country (China) and a city (Houston) aching at every gloomy medical bulletin, but they also have Ilgauskas as the reminder that a happy ending is possible. “Big Z” is the walking, talking Get Well card, proof that there is a future after all.
Ilgauskas and Yao talked a few times in the summer and met when the Cavaliers were in Houston last month. He’d be glad to speak with Oden, if Oden would like, with the same message that patience and sticking with the rehab even as the hours of long, tedious work pile high.

“Nobody but me knows what it takes to come back from all those injuries,” he said. “You obviously take that [people wanting to talk to him] as a compliment. But you don’t take that for granted, what it took you to get here.”
Ilgauskas the inspiration. Incredible.
Remember when he was Ilgauskas the incapacitated?
The rookie campaign, 1996-97, as the No. 20 pick in the draft, was zero appearances thanks to a broken right foot and subsequent surgery, the same injury that caused Big Z to miss the season before in his native Lithuania. The NBA debut was playing all 82 games in 1997-98. The tease. Next, five games, due to a fractured left foot, followed by missing all 1999-2000 while continuing to rehab the left foot, including another surgery. Cleveland signed him to a six-year extension on Jan. 29, 2000. Suckers. The payback was 24 games in 2000-01, before more pain in the left foot, more surgery, more end-of-career talk.
Some of that was in conversation with himself, some in conversation with those close to him. He was realistic enough to realize that retirement could be very near.
And then the strangest thing happened. Z got healthy. Then kept getting healthy.
He returned Dec. 4, 2001, the first game in about 50 weeks, and played 62 of the final 65 contests, losing one on a coach’s decision and two because of back spasms. He missed one game each of the next two seasons, three in each of the next three and nine in 2007-08 before sitting out 17 games last season, mostly because of a sprained ankle.
From the brittle life of missing two full campaigns and playing less than one-third in two others to seven seasons of good health plus 2009-10 that has started in the same positive direction. From one stretch of 29 appearances over three seasons to a pair of All-Star games. From having no future to setting the team record for the most games played, making his 724th appearance with the Cavaliers on Dec. 2.
“When you have somebody that’s that good of a person have a chance to accomplish something like this, especially with the hardships that he’s been through, it’s special,” coach Mike Brown said. “You’re happy for him and for him getting that mark. But it’s the type of person and it’s his makeup that helped him get to that bar or that goal.”
That was the night anything officially became possible for Oden and Yao. It was the special game in Cleveland when the team that gave a wobbly player a long-term contract lived to see it become a good investment … and the popular big man who couldn’t make it through a season stepped into the record books for longevity. It didn’t matter that it was part of his new assignment as a backup, established once the Cavs traded for Shaquille O’Neal. Ilgauskas was historically linked with durability.
Inspirational, if a couple other centers noticed.
“Just be patient,” he said of the message to Yao and Oden. “Listen to your doctors. And the biggest thing is just patience. A lot of guys tend to get overzealous. They feel good and they want to make the next step. Just be patient. Don’t rush anything. Listen to your body, more than anything.”
Because things can get better.
“Yes,” the special center said. “Of course.”