Z stays in lineup despite aching knee
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Denver- The last thing the Cavaliers needed is another injury. The left knee of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has loose cartilage and from time to time it flares up. Ilgauskas sat out practice on Tuesday, but played on Wednesday night.
"The knee was sore and it got worse during the last couple of games," Ilgauskas said. "It got even worse against Portland but I got some treatment and some rest. Now I'm feeling better."
The Cavs cannot afford an injury to another starter. Larry Hughes is out until March with a broken finger and Drew Gooden has not played since leaving in the third quarter against Phoenix on Saturday with a right leg adductor strain.
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"Given the situation, it's a little more important for me to play," Ilgauskas said, referring to the team's other injuries.
In the past three games, Ilgauskas is averaging 27.3 points per game.
Roommates:
Cavs video coordinator Bryant Moore and coach Mike Brown were roommates when they attended Mesa Community College. The two became close friends but there was something about Brown that Moore could never understand.
"Mike would take these long showers," Moore said. "He'd stay in the shower for so long that by the time I got in there the water was cold. He'd stay in the shower for so long after games that security, the ushers and the parking lot would be empty when he finally came out."
D-League:
Cavs rookie center Martynas Andriuskevicius will finally get some playing time, but it will come with the Arkansas Rimrockers of the NBA's Development League. Andriuskevicius, who has one minute of playing time this season, is expected to join the Rimrockers in the near future.
Homecoming:
Brown's NBA career began as an intern with the Denver Nuggets, which led to him becoming the team's videographer and a scout in 1992. Denver is also where Brown met his wife, Carolyn.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-6136