Z wants 14 million a year!

[E-Light]

Has Ben Wallace ever been injured? What about Sheed? Jermaine o'neal before his arm injury? Boozer been injury free, well he deserved it this season. Odom? How about Antoine Walker? shawn Bradley never gets injured. Dirk Nowitzki got hurt last in like the 2001 play offs. Lots of players stay away from serious injury. Kevin Garnett never sits out games. Tim Duncan never gets hurt until this year. Drew Gooden.

 

[Wine and Gold]

Some team IS going to offer Z around 14 mil ....I'd bet on it. When that happens, we'll have an opportunity, most likely to either let him walk, match, or work a sign and trade of some sort. I don't see Z coming back at this point. So many teams want a center ...someone will step up. But, like was stated ....lots of teams that are alot better than us this year had no "true" center either. So, don't think if we lose Z we're screwed over. I like the idea of a quick, athletic team to compliment Lebron, rather than the lumbering, slow plodders we had with him for the most part this season. This team needs some athletic players, and some shooters more than anything. That would compliment Lebron better than anything ... let's turn it up a notch or two in terms of game pace. Personally, Lamar Odom would fit that mold. But, I'd prefer our top dollar new guy be the SG we need.

 

[Karma]

Its all good to say lets run, but when it comes down to it, most of your offense will be in half court. So to have an effective half court offense, you do need some sort of post presense. Gooden isn't quite that guy. He is more effective breaking his man down just outside the paint. Having a slow center never stops a team running, especially one who can knock down a long J as a trailor. Everyone early in the season wanted McInnis to start as he could push the ball. I always stated Snow should start and that he could push the ball. To be able to run, you need stops. Snow created this. Having a slow footed center never stops a team from running.

I will state again, we cannot afford to pay Ilgauskas the 14 million as we have major holes to fill. We need Z to sign a 10 million dollar deal so we can push for that 2 guard. To say Z is not worth 10 million is just making yourself sound dumb. To say we are wasting money throwing 10 million at Z shows a lack of intelligence on your part.

Onto the health of Z, who is the healthiest big men around the past 4 years. Here is a list of fellow prominant players and games they have missed the past 4 seasons.

Duncan - missed 30+ games
Camby - missed nearly 100
Curry - almost 40 games
Dalembert - 50+ games
Dampier - almost 40 games
Magliore - almost 60 games
Yao - 2 games (only 3 years), but he is up there with Z
Shaq - 52 games
Okafor - 9 games (1 year)
Stoudamire - nearly 30 in 3 years
Big Ben - 20 games
R. Wallace - nearly 40
Wright - 72 games
Ratliff - closing on 100
Boozer - 39 games
Chandler - 67 games
Bosh - 8 (2 seasons)
Brand - 36 gams
Gasol - 30 games
Gooden - 15 games (3 years)
Martin - 43 games
Murphy - 69 games
Dirk - 17 games
Jermainne - 30+ games
Randolph - 40+ games
Webber - 100+

The list could go on and on. I am actually wrong Garnett has missed just one game to edge Z out. So Ilgauskas is the 2nd healthiest NBA big in the last 4 years.

But I hear you say he plays tired and burnt out. Maybe he should be like the other players and just take the entire game off night after night to freshen up. It is just selfish of Z to play through niggling injuries to help out the franchise. He even had the hide to become a 2 time allstar to rise his contract numbers. Totally selfish. Who'd want an all star center (they are so easy to find), who has done every possible for this franchise, including degenerating his future quality of life to play for them. Who needs him eh? Not us. We are sooooooooooooooooooooooooo deep!

 

[Rimage]

Results? I don't see them. We missed the playoffs again with our invaluable all-star center. I understand that Z was committed to coming back and playing, and I understand he is probably dealing with pain and discomfort now, but frankly I am not so sympathetic that I want to just toss millions of dollars at him just because he was committed to returning and has pain due to injuries. Adonal Foyle got a huge contract because he was good person, but this isn't a charity organization. Like I said before, plenty of teams are doing much better than us without the weapon of an all-star center.

No need to tell others to fock off either. Can't have a differing opinion with out be cussed out?

 

[Pioneer10]

Look I'll make it simple: Z for 10 million a year for 4 years is a no-brainer for the Cavs and frankly for Ilguaskas as well. He isn't worth 14 million/year to the Cavs and I doubt any other team (Too slow, old, and a defensive liability. But for 10 million, his offense boards and shooting is a huge plus to ANY team. He'll be great on the Cavs next year as the Cavs could be set to use Z perfectly. AV progression will allow him to play considerbaly less and with an outside shooter Z's life will be made so much easier. Again, with AV as a backup all of Z's weaknesses can be covered for nearly entire games against certain but then agaisnt other weak interior teams, Z will be a huge plus

Again, remember Rik Smits. Z has almost turned into a carbon copy of the Dunkin Dutchman. Was he the best player on those tough Indiana teams: NO (Miller, Rose, etc. were better). Would they have gotten to the FInals and a ton of ECF without him: NO (a center is critical even in limited minutes; Smits was just like Z couldn't play 48 but he created huge matchup problems). Z, his agent, and the Cavs would be stupid to not to make this work. 10 million for 4 years is a FAIR deal

 

[TyGuy]

Wine and gold, who in the right mind is going to offer Z 14 million? All the teams with cap space would most likely love to have him but not at 14 million. These teams with cap space all have young squads and I dont think adding z to their roster at 14 mill is the smartest thing to do. I think we could offer him the money steve nash got and he would be a taker.

A starting salary of a little over 8 with a player option at the end.

 

[ArtModellisGod]

Broken foot should not get any consideration to be resigned while he is still a gimp. He is a washed up fool.

 

[Karma]

Sorry for cursing earlier. I get very frustrated that Ilgauskas is singled out by many fans for no particular reasons. Actually you do have your points. He is a tad slow for a center which effects him on pick'n'roll defense. He will always struggle there. He though combined with a point guard that actually cares on defense like Snow, combine to be decent. Everyone is quick to point out his weaknesses (although there are very few), but forget what a massive influence he is at both ends. You people continue to tell yourselves he is terrible and broken down all you want if it makes you sleep better. Blinding yourself of the truth will just make yourself look stupid in the long run.

Ilgauskas at a starting contract of 10 million if a no brainer. But then again, there are plenty of brainless, so we may be in trouble.

 

[Rimage]

Its all good. Seriously though, I don't want to lose Z. I thought for sure he was going to stay with the Cavs and I was totally fine with that. 10 million for 3 or 4 years...I am cool with it. Heck, give him 11 a year. If Z really desires to stay with the Cavs he would cut them a little slack. I am not saying he is wrong for wanting 14 a year (hell, he has earned the right to want that kind of money), but if he wants to stay in Cleveland he is going to have to comprimise and let the money go so this organization can put together a winner.

 

[The Disector]

I don't want Z for even 10 million per year. He has way to many liabilities to have that much money wrapped up in him.

Negatives:
He is a mediocre man to man defender.
He is an atrocious pick and roll defender.
He is a poor defensive rebounder.
He is a below average passer.
He is not getting any better.
He is getting older.
He is always a threat to have a career ending injury.
He has a post game that leaves alot to be desired.

Positives:
He's a solid perimeter shooter.
He's a good offensive rebounder.

This is what we want to pay 10+ million for???
A player who gives up as many if not more points then he scores and isn't even a physical prescence on either side of the ball.

Gimme Jerome James, Samuel Dalembert, or Jamal Magloire any day before we even consider Z.
At least these guys defend and defensive rebound with some offensive game!

People need to stop being sentimental for Z--He got paid big money for several years without even playing because of injury and was suppose to pay the Cavs back by asking for less money when he became a free agent.

I know he's been a career Cavalier but that is no reason to pay him more then he is worth especially since we are now talking about trying to put a contender around LeBron and I personally guarantee as long a Zydrunas Ilgauskas is the Cavs starting center we will never win or contend for a Championship.

Let him go or sign and trade him and lets start working towards building a champion!

 

[E-Light]

I don't want Z for even 10 million per year. He has way to many liabilities to have that much money wrapped up in him.

Negatives:
He is a mediocre man to man defender.
He is an atrocious pick and roll defender.
He is a poor defensive rebounder.
He is a below average passer.
He is not getting any better.
He is getting older.
He is always a threat to have a career ending injury.
He has a post game that leaves alot to be desired.

Positives:
He's a solid perimeter shooter.
He's a good offensive rebounder.

I think you're a little bit harsh, and extreme Disector.

Z's man defense i've never complained about, mostly when people face up on him, and run him to defend screens are his weaknesses.
Z blocks out good on rebounding opportunities, though his going after the ball isn't as good.
Z's passing ability has always been underrated, and is underutilized.
Z has one of the best post games in the league, no one has as many post moves as he.

 

[Pioneer10]

^ You're post isn't even worth responding to when you bought Jerome James in the converstions. You would rather have Jerome James then Z! Give me a break. Z for all his faults was on All-Star people. Z ain't worth 14.6 mil but I would take him for 10 mil a year in a heartbeat. We already AV why add a duplicate in Dalembert who may have less potential? Magloire been hurt more then Z the last few years and there is no way we can get him.

Again Z is not perfect but if we can get him to sign for 10 million a year this would be great for the Cavs. No one has even suggested a REALISTIC possiblity to me that would somehow get a Magloire or an adequate replacement here to replace Z that would also not kill our cap space or leave a hole at C. Another reminder Curry/Chandler/Dalembert are all RESTRICTED FA's. At the same time I don't see any team out there other then the Cavs for Z. He should realize it and sign for the 10 mil

 

[TyGuy]

I think gilbert if he really has any problems with z will vanish soon enough. He is the best big man in this free agent class, sure he had prior injuries but he seems to have got over that. I don't think any teams with cap will offer him that kind of money and i seriously doubt he wants to play for a cellar dweller, so i believe we hold more cards than people think. Agents always start high because they are in it for the money, I think a happy medium will be resolved.

 

[LyXo]

"It's not like I just started playing basketball or would play for the minimum," Ilgauskas said. "I was fortunate to have a good contract, but I have to feed my family."

Source | Medina Gazette

Sounds bad, but from another article on the same site:

"It's not like I just started playing basketball and I have to feed my family. I've saved some money," he said, adding with a smile. "I haven't gambled any of it away."

Source | Medina Gazette

Weird

 

[Slim Sheedy]

there f'n millionaires how much money do you need to feed your family?

my family is poor and we get food, so Z has millions and his family needs more money to eat? get the heck outta here