Zydrunas Ilgauskas: An Appreciation
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 18, 2010 6:10 AM CST
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PrintLost in all the hooplah surrounding who the Cavaliers acquired yesterday was the actual weight of who the Cavaliers lost yesterday as well. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is one of the Top-10 Cavaliers of all time, and one of the best athletes the city of Cleveland has ever seen.
There will be plenty of people who will wax poetic about Big Z much better than I can. I'm not the sappy type - no poems here - but I do fully understand what the Cavaliers gave up by including Z in the trade to acquire Antawn Jamison.
Ilgauskas has spent his entire career with the Cavs, becoming the franchise’s career leader in rebounds (5,841), blocked shots (1,259) and games played (760). He has been a fan favorite, overcoming serious foot injuries that threatened his career after being the 20th pick in the 1996 draft. Foot injuries cost him two full seasons and nearly two others within his first five years.
Ilgauskas had undergone foot surgery twice, but the Cavs thought he was worth the pick. But they had to wonder after he had to sit out the 1996-97 season because of another surgery on his foot. He also missed the 1998-99 season with a foot injury.
Ilgauskas was healthy during the 1997-98 season and provided the league with a glimpse of why he had been so highly regarded, averaging 13.9 points and earning a spot on the All-Rookie first team. He also was MVP of the 1998 Rookie Challenge on the strength of an 18-point, seven-rebound performance. That impressed the Cavaliers enough to sign Ilgauskas to a six-year, $70.9 million contract extension.
But he only played 29 games the next two seasons, and his career appeared to be over before it really got started. It would have been easy for Z to walk away - to stop the painful rehab and take the money. NBA contract are guaranteed, Z was going to get paid regardless. Ilgauskas didn't walk away, didn't take the money and run. He got better and became an All-Star.
Ilgauskas was the bright light during the dark ages for the Cavaliers, when the team was winning 17 games in 2002-03. In a lot of ways he was the only reason to go down to The Q at all, before LeBron James took over.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas lost nearly 4 full seasons to injury, yet still is an All-Time Great Cavalier. Yesterday, in a quest to win a Championship, the Cavaliers traded Ilgauskas away. Sure, the perception is that Washington will buy-out the remaining portion of Z's contract allowing for Z to return, but as we know nothing is a sure thing. No, it is possible that we have seen the last of Big Z in a Cavaliers uniform. Before we move full steam ahead in our quest for a Ring, let's take a moment to thank Z for what he has meant to the Cavaliers and the city. He may never get the recognition he deserves, though I feel that someday his #11 will join other Cavaliers' greats in the rafters.
Thanks, Zydrunas, for everything!
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Amen!
Thank you, Zydrunas. Here’s hoping you return to us in 30 days….but if you don’t, you’ll never leave us in our hearts!
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by Jeff at the BBC on Feb 18, 2010 7:11 AM CST reply actions
Word. I hope Z’s feelings aren’t hurt, and that he’s back in wine and gold by mid-March. We need you, big fella!
Z deserves a lot of credit for what he has meant to this team. Thanks for posting this.
by cleveland teamer on Feb 18, 2010 9:21 AM CST reply actions
Z = overrated
No offense, but Z is an above avergae center, but was always totally owned by the top four or five centers in the league, which is why this trade is sweet. Shaq and Hickson finally give the CAVS a strong inside presence and Jamison should be able to stretch defesnes out a bit. Z served well, but his foot injuries, softness, and lack of athleticism always bothered me. Would I like to see him come back? Sure. Will I cry if he doesn’t? No way — great trade CAVS!
Dude, where's the appreciation?
Hate to stereotype, but someone who says “was always totally owned” just kinda shows that maybe you weren’t watching the Cavs before last season very much.
Z was an All-Star, and a 14/8 CAREER center.
10 thousand points should get more love than the term “overrated”.
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by Jeff at the BBC on Feb 18, 2010 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
Gotta say it i kind of agree. I love Z really but, come on he got abused often at this stage on defense and his contributions on offense weren’t enough to offset his defensive liabilities.
I don’t think we need him back to win it all what’s he really going to do that Andy steeling a few minutes at the 5 can’t do?
If Z wants to go elsewhere so be it.
by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 18, 2010 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
I’m with Jeff.
These “fans” are judging Z based on his last 2-3 years.
That’s not what this thread is about. It’s about appreciating everything he’s done for this franchise over the course of his entire career. His loyalty and hard work through the good years and bad, should not go unnoticed. It’s why he’s been my favorite player in the NBA for a long, long time.
Hope he to see him with us in our championship run more than anything.
Thanks Z!
You embarrass this city.
Anyone who thinks Z is overrated is very clearly not a true Cavs fan. One of the many who only started watching and supporting the team when we drafted LBJ and started winning. Well i’m sick of you queers. Before Dwight Howard came into the league Z was consistently rated as the NBA’s second best “true” center behind Shaq. Hell, back in the day when Shaq was towards the end of his prime, Z would guard him WITHOUT A DOUBLE TEAM and he did better than pretty much anyone else in the league. He was the face of this franchise for the worst period of this franchises history. Anyone who started watching the Cavs in 2004 might as well just shut the fuck up because your opinion doesnt matter and frankly I could go without you and all the others as fans of my team.
If we dont get him back and win a title well you can forget about another title because the bad karma that could potentiate from this trade is absolutely mind boggling. It’s really sad what my beloved city has come to. So desperate for a title that most people dont give a crap about loyalty or integrity anymore.
+1!
It’s important to remember that “Z” was considered a good defender when he was first drafted – he wasn’t just an “offensive” player. The injuries took their toll, sure, but it’s not like “Z” didn’t play defense or didn’t put effort into it. Was he the best defensively? No, but he certainly wasn’t the worst either – you could certainly do far worse than him out there.
Additionally, “Z” is the one Cavalier who deserves an NBA title more than anyone (and yes, that includes LeBron) – “Z” is the one who essentially kept the team afloat during those dark ages. People want to talk about, “LeBron doesn’t have enough help” or “LeBron has no help around him” – look back at the dark ages with “Z,” and outside of him and Andre Miller, the players that LeBron has had over the last 3-4 years (Varajeo, Williams, West, Szczerbiak) would be Hall-of-Famers by comparison compared to the teammates that “Z” and Miller had in those days (do the names “Cedric Henderson,” 2nd rounder & 45th overall pick in the 1997 Draft and "Vitaly Potapenko, " the 12th overall pick in the 1996 Draft ring bells for anyone? That’s just a sampling).
As was mentioned, “Z” was one of the few reasons, and at times, the only reason to go down to the Gund in those days after the Price-Daugherty-Nance-Ehlo era ended. He was certainly a well above-average player for a number of years and one of the few true centers left in the league. His story of perseverance regarding the foot injuries and the “dark” era is certainly an inspiring one for many and all the more reason why he is the Cavalier who deserves a championship the most, and all the more reason why I am hopeful he will return here and get his due (including getting a standing ovation upon his return).
by cavaliersfan on Feb 18, 2010 6:14 PM CST up reply actions
Get real man. How about the Karma of all those former Indians that leave like and burn Cleveland they don’t get karma they win titles.
Where’s the Karma of them failing like they should.
I love Z but, let’s be honest he got torched the whole playoffs last year and he’s not a top notch center like some of you think anymore. Don’t call people out on their level of being a fan it’s called being realistic give it a try.
Is this kid serious?
No one is claiming he is a top notch center RIGHT NOW. This whole topic and discussion is about Z’s career and how he lives his life as a man. In his prime he was one of the best big men in the league, but obviously you would be oblivious to this fact because you just started following the NBA in 2007.
Who isnt being realistic? Z didnt get torched the whole playoffs, only in the one series against Dwight Howard and that is to be expected. But now we have Shaq and Z comes off the bench. He will rarely ever have to face Howard so your point is completely irrelevant.
Seriously though, get the fuck out of my city. Every time you call yourself a Cavs fan you insult the rest of us. We dont need you or want you. There’s plenty of fans who have followed this team through all the bullshit and those fans know the truth about Z and what he means to this city and this team.
Get real. Kid?? I’m not saying Z sucks but, come on save the sob story. I appreciate Z but, if him leaving means a championship to help make it happen so be it. I have been a Cavs fan probably longer than you so give it a rest.
Grow up and save it with the name calling or do you think you are some kind of cyber tough guy?
by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 18, 2010 10:11 PM CST up reply actions
Judging by your name ‘CAVS R BOSS’ two things stand out. All caps and the word boss. Shows pretty clearly that you are no older than 16. So no you havent been a fan longer.
Youre just proving my point dude. Youre like half the city. Dont care what has to happened as long as we get a title. I understand it’s been a long time for this town and we need it badly but how far are you willing to go? Youve admitted youre willing to sacrifice integrity and loyalty for a title so what else? Do you support cheating to win too? Do you want Mike Brown fired if he doesnt win this season? Danny Ferry too? Look man, I want a championship as much as the next guy, maybe more, but there are plenty of things that are more important than SPORTS.
And yes i am a cyber tough guy, but i have a point that ive explained quite clearly. Go look at my other post below. I WIN AT THE INTERNETZ. (since you like caps)
The caps means nothing wasn’t even really intentional. Z will probably be back so you’re sweating it for no reason.
And no i don’t want anyone fired if we don’t win it all. Ferry is a great GM and Mike Brown i’m not a huge fan of his but, i don’t think he should get fired.
By the way i’m way older than 16. You have 420 in you’re name so does that say something about your age? You still in high school going out during study hall to smoke a joint or something? I don’t see how that proves anything about age.
by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 18, 2010 10:34 PM CST up reply actions
Nah. Just blazing during my lunch breaks while working a real job for Progressive Insurance, maybe youve heard of them. But nice try. Let’s all take a moment to give thanks that Peter Lewis doesnt believe in drug tests.
I am relatively young though, youre probably older than me to be honest, but obviously you stopped being a fan right around 1995 when we became terrible. At least you were probably a fan from 87-93 which is more than most of these clowns can say these days.
I’m sorry for the ranting and name calling, really I am, but I just fail to see how someone who actually watched the majority of the Cavs games from 1996-2003 like I did can under appreciate this man Z as much as you have demonstrated.
You are right about one thing though, I probably will end up sweating this for no reason, but we still live in The Land and in the land things go wrong.
Nah i’ve been watching since i was old enough to know what basketball was bad years and the good years. Only years i didn’t watch were 2001 to 2004 when i was living in Germany can’t catch many Cavs games there. Other than that Cavs, Browns, Indians, Buckeyes every game every year.
by CAVS R BOSS on Feb 18, 2010 11:27 PM CST up reply actions
Wrong. Z was a top 4 or 5 center for most of his career. Really, behind Shaq and Duncan (who is and always has been a center), who was there from 2000-2007 that was demonstrably , consistently, and considerably better than Ilgauskas?
His foot injuries bothered you? He hasn’t missed a game from foot injuries in 11 years and has been remarkably durable that whole time.
He was soft? Are you kidding? He is one of the toughest and strongest guys in the league. He protects the rim with passion. He was the king of the hard foul. He was offended if a team was getting to the basket too easily. Thing to those playoff series with Detroit. Who was standing up to Ben Wallace and Rasheed? It was Z who refused to allow the Pistons to be the more physical team.
Lack of athleticism? Ok, so he isn’t elite in terms of speed, quickness, or jumping ability. But he is 7’3. Has great hands, great touch from 2 feet to the 3 point line. And his strength is underrated too. He came in to the league very gangley and has bulked up considerably since.
In my mind, the 3rd greatest Cavalier ever. (Price, James). A special talent.
He will be missed. If he comes back, I’d bet it will be the biggest ovation in the history of the Q when he checks into the game.
fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com
by Ryan Kelsey on Feb 18, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Nope. Z has played 12 seasons with the Cavs, while Daugherty only played 8 and Nance only 6 1/2. Those two players may have both been better than Z in their primes but Z definitely has the edge in career value. I’d agree that he’s third behind LBJ and Mark Price, especially if he returns to the Cavs this season and he helps them win the championship.
by Buckeye Brad on Feb 18, 2010 9:43 PM CST up reply actions
Are there even 4 or 5 notable centers left in the league - I only count Shaq, Howard, Duncan, & Z among notable centers!
“Top 4 or 5 centers in the league”? Are there still 4 or 5 centers in the league who are actually centers?
Not by my count – outside of Shaq, Howard, and Duncan (and most don’t recognize Duncan as a true center, even though he was one), there is really no other noticeable center I can think outside of “Z.” Essentially, those are the players you are referring to when making that comment.
Well, Shaq and Howard are in a league of their own when it comes to “big men” – their weight, bulk, and power would make them difficult for ANYONE to guard one-on-one. You mention “Z” couldn’t guard them; neither could Duncan. Nor could Gasol (I’m referring to Pau, who I believe was considered a center at one time as well, though he is mostly considered a forward now). Heck, LeBron likely couldn’t guard either of them one-on-one either because those two have so much bulk they can overpower anyone inside, even someone like LeBron, and LeBron has solid upper-body strength in his own right (probably more than “Z” and Duncan), but still not at Shaq or Howard’s levels.
Essentially, your point about “Z” being “totally owned” – who wouldn’t be “totally owned” by either of them? Otherwise, “Z” did quite well against the other “average-sized” centers, including Duncan. And, as was mentioned below, “Z” did attempt to guard Shaq one-on-one and did a reasonable job considering the contrast in bulk, as well as anyone could have been expected to guard Shaq one-on-one.
That’s the same with Howard today – unless you have Shaq on him, virtually no one can guard Howard one-on-one, which is why Howard is often double-teamed, leading to Orlando getting great 3-point looks, which leads to them being at or near the top in 3-point shooting. When a player can guard him effectively one-on-one (and Shaq is really the only one who can), their 3-point shooting gets neutralized a bit because there are far fewer open looks – that’s the main reason why the Cavs have been able to handle the Magic this year, and why many think the Cavs can handle the Magic in the playoffs, especially now that Jamison will also be on Lewis and the fact that Turkoglu is no longer there, combined with the fact that the Cavs have the one real center who can match Howard, buik for bulk, power for power.
So, your expectations that “Z” should handle Shaq and Howard one-on-one, really the only 2 true notable centers left in the game besides “Z” (everyone else from Duncan to Gasol list themselves as a forward and play at the forward position for significant portion of most games), are unrealistic as compared to everyone else. “Z” did as well or better than the other centers in the league who tried to guard Shaq and Howard – that wasn’t just a problem with “Z”; that was a problem throughout the whole league.
Therefore, “Z” is not overrated as you claim, and certainly, he should be part of this championship run, based on his comeback from foot injuries, his staying with the team through the dark ages, and the fact that he can effectively spell Shaq and keep him fresh for the postseason – he’s still more valuable to this team than you are implying, for the reasons I mentioned above.
by cavaliersfan on Feb 18, 2010 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
Z, you are the man
I’m really sorry to see Z go after he has done so much for the Cavs and the City of Cleveland. I hope he returns before the end of the season because if and when the Cavaliers do win that ever-elusive championship, it would be fitting if he were here. He deserves a share of the glory.
Z ... deserves respect, however; ya'll need to stop living in the past .......
- You guys say a lot of these fans not giving Z “the respect he deserves” have only been watching him the last 2-3 years. I hate to break it for you guys, but a WINNING/CHAMPIONSHIP team needs to have a “what have you done for me LATELY” theme. Yes in the dark times Z was there for us, but it’s obvious he is a SHADOW of his former self.
- Z is aging, he’s getting WORSE every year, not better. If we sign him again who are we going to dump off the roster? I’d rather keep our young developing guys (even Dinkins) than add him “just so he can get a ring he deserves”
- The buyout/30-day resign isn’t actually allowed to be officially stated as part of a trade, but if anyone SERIOUSLY believes Z won’t be bought out, they are stupid. 3 p.m. EST has just passed by. The ONLY possibility of us not getting Z back (him going to the Mavs) just ended at 3 p.m. EST so cya in 30 days Z, this entire arguement is now m00t
Rob Roy
It’s not about “getting him the ring”. If we win a title this year, Z WILL get a ring, no matter where he is when we win the 16th game in the playoffs. He was on the team during the season, so his ring will arrive at the same time as everybody else’s.
It’s about supplying this team with a backup 7-footer to allow Shaq some rest in the grueling matchups against Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. Say what you will about Z, but that is where he would be valuable.
You don’t have to be a 20/10 player to have value on a team. Z’s value is as a role player in a backup position.
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by Jeff at the BBC on Feb 18, 2010 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
+1 – exactly – Z is the only real center (and one of the few left in the league, in fact) who can effectively back up Shaq and keep him fresh. Andy can fill in, but Andy is not a center, and doesn’t have the height and bulk that “Z” has, let alone Shaq. Powe is not in game shape, and will need significant time to get to that level (may not even get there this year, or not until the postseason, perhaps), so forcing Powe to play major minutes as the backup center would probably not be the best idea, which is all the more reason why Z is more valuable to this team than many seem to think, and why resigning Z is more than just for sentimentality.
And as for removing someone from the roster, there are at least a few options, including Telfair, who is injured himself, has not lived up to expectations, and is behind Williams, West, and even Gibson/Parker/Moon/Green in terms of playing time. That’s likely who would be let go in the event that the Cavs can resign “Z.”
by cavaliersfan on Feb 18, 2010 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
Ignorance is bliss i guess.
Are you serious Rob Roy? There is so much fail in your comment I dont know where to begin.
No one is arguing Z is as good as he used to be, get that through your head. What us true cavs fans are saying is that he deserves to stay on the team and win a ring because of all he has done and put up with in the past. Hypothetically, even if Z contributed ZERO to this team (which is completely untrue) I would still want him on the bench providing leadership over a guy who could contribute on the floor. He deserves it.
About Z getting worse every year well thats completely irrelevant. It’s widely assumed Z would retire at the end of this season if he gets a ring. The long term is completely moot. Well, m00t as you put it (yet another clue that youre a teenager who started watching the cavs in 2006).
And finally, to your last point. Yes, as of 3pm today Z cannot get traded again, hence the name TRADE DEADLINE. However, once Washington buys out Zs contract any team can sign him to whatever deal they want to right away. The Cavs however must wait 30 days. So no, there is no sure thing that Z will be a Cav again. The only points that are m00t are all of yours.
The End. I win at the internet.
Guys, relax.
It is a foregone conclusion that Z will return to the Cavs this season. Danny Ferry can’t say anything because Z is officially a member of the Washington Wizards, but he wouldn’t have made the trade had there been a chance that Z wasn’t going to return.
Maybe that was a part of the reason why the Amar’e deal just wasn’t going to get done, as the suns wanted to turn around and trade Z for some other parts. Such a trade would have left Z in a more uncertain position.
"My signature is only one line. You're welcome."
ZZZZZZZZZZZ!!! love Z and want him back for the championship run. it would be sad to see him not part of it. but, the Cavs organization and the fans deserve a lot of credit also. they stuck by Z and they deserve the return on the the loyalty by Z choosing to come back. he got paid through all the injuries early on and got a big extension afterward. the Cavs have paid Z over $120 million dollars throughout his career. the fans have cheered him all the way.
hope we get him back!
Three points:
1) A player isn’t signed until he’s signed.
Cavs fans should know better – remember the Carlos Boozer debacle? Then, as now, management was counting on something happening which league rules prevented them from getting in writing. I understand that was a different circumstance, and I don’t expect Z to act like Boozer did, but lots can happen: the Wizards might not buy him out, the Cavs might not offer him a decent new deal, or somebody else might offer him a better one.
2) Chemistry matters.
Z’s stats aren’t that impressive this year, but the Cavs play great ball when he’s on the floor. His plus/minus per minute is third on the team, behind LeBron and Andy.
http://www.nba.com/statistics/plusminus/plusminus_sort.jsp?pcomb=1&season=22009&split=9&team=Cavaliers
Having him on the team also allows the Cavs flexibility. His shooting ability can help clear the floor on offense. They can play him together with Shaq and go super-tall.
3) That ain’t right!
Finally, it just seems wrong to trade away someone who has long been a pillar of your team just a few months from when you hope to win your first championship.
by WestCoastCavsFan on Feb 20, 2010 3:17 AM CST reply actions
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