Z's future with this team

[imahustla]

I know many of you are the sentimental type that will refrain from saying anything bad about Z simply because he's the longest tenured Cavalier and has been through a list of surgeries as thick as a New York phone book. But I'm not one of them.

Seriously, I don't know how many times I've yelled at the TV during this series because of Z. The dude is doing far more harm at this point than he is good. He can't post up, he can't get buckets inside, and what he DOES provide on offense (shooting) can be provided by a shooting guard or small forward. There are plenty of shooters on this team, so you'd think that having a 7'3" center would help balance the roster. Except you would be wrong. For a guy who is 7'3" and 260-some pounds, he is the softest guy on the floor. How many times has this guy been at point-blank range from the basket and decided to LAY IT UP instead of DUNK THE DAMN BALL? And he's 7'3"? He's even been packed by D-Howard a few times when he's tried to lay it up instead of dunk it. He should be slamming it in Dwight's face at his size.

Delonte West is a foot shorter than him but 1,000X harder and more physical. I'd take a guy like West to whoop Z in a street fight any day, and given Z's size, that's sad.

And on defense...Charles Barkley was right after Game 1 when he said that Z shouldn't even play this series. How the hell can you defend pick and rolls with D-Howard when the guy that's supposed to be covering Dwight can't even move his damn feet? The Cavs' defense at least looks like its ATTEMPTING to be productive whenever Z's on the bench. But when he's not, it has become a recipe for disaster.

He's entering the last year of his contract next year at about $10 million. He's the unique combination of an expiring contract and a guy who could really help a team short-term, whether its off the bench or a team looking to make a move that puts them over the top. But one thing is for sure: Z's not going to help this team win a championship at this stage of his career. The time has come to close the curtains on the Cavalier career for one of the franchise's most beloved players.

But let's keep it real: If Z is back next year, I am going to scream. This team better not be about keeping guys not named LeBron happy at the sake of winning a championship. Get this guy out of here and get a guy who can actually bang inside, grab rebounds, and for the love of God, DUNK THE FREAKING BASKETBALL when he's an inch away from the basket instead of trying to lay it up.

 

[PIP]

For as awesome as his "unique" skill set is, it's time to limit the guy's role..

 

[Chris]

And replace him with....?

Not like Chris Bosh just dropped in our lap and can be slapped at center.

 

[Prekazi]

I hate to say this but we can't win a title with Z being our best bigman.

 

[Cratylus]

I love Z with all my heart for what he's been through and for having the fortitude to fight through his injuries and have a productive career. But I'm ready to co-sign this. The guy is a flat out liability in the playoffs where toughness and quickness often determine the outcomes of close games.

If trading him can bring in a solid guy who will CONTRIBUTE during the playoffs, then I'm all for it. It'll never happen, even though it should.

Z, I love you man, but you're more valuable to us as a trading commodity than as a bench player (which is where you belong).

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Z will retire a Cavalier.

Start screaming, go ahead.

 

[RchfldCavRaised]

You know what, I'll keep it real for you

Since Z has been here, all Ive ever seen from the guy is a blue collar work ethic and a guy who embodies what being in Cleveland is all about.

There is a reason why Z is like the POPE to true Cavs fans.

We just relate to a guy who life keeps kicking down and putting behind the 8ball. I mean, 3-4 broken feet and surgeries and to keep getting back up and trying... FOR US? When he easily could have taken his money after his first 2 contrcts and did like Brad Daugherty, just hang up the sneakers still in prime.

Fuk that. I love that dude and wouldnt EVER want to see him traded to another team.

THAT SAID

Our head coach is a stubborn piece of shit who is being too loyal to a guy who isnt helping us this series.

I feel bad for Z because at this stage in his career, he is what he is, but we all know what he is before he even takes the court every night

Why is Mike Brown asking him to do something he is incapable of doing at this stage in his career???

is he going to get younger and quicker simply because we are in teh ECF?

is he going to get stronger and tougher suddenly overnight after showing for 10-11 years that he is a gifted finesse big man???

NO

Mike Brown is taking a old classic cadillac and trying to drive it like a tank or a off road SUV

Get me a headcoach who knows how to use his players on offense before you crucify the blue collar, humble 7'3 man who's given his all for us man

 

[imahustla]

And replace him with....?

Not like Chris Bosh just dropped in our lap and can be slapped at center.

Guys who can replace Z with what we need are a dime a dozen. Heck, look at Joel Przybilla for the Blazers. He's been a backup most of the time, but imagine having HIM instead of Z. He makes half as much money, but he's the kind of badass who would bang in the low post with Howard and actually flush with two hands when given the opportunity. He'd be a perfect fit for the Cavs in this series. Heck, he'd be the perfect fit, period, no matter who we play.

Or how about a guy like Nick Collison in OKC, who is on his way to becoming the next Przybilla-type player? Hell, even Kenyon Martin, who has had two microfracture surgeries? Given how KMart has played in this postseason, I'm sure Denver regrets giving him all that money far less than the Cavs do about having Z around for $10 million right now.

Or hell, even Tyson Chandler, who was nearly traded (in fact, he WAS traded) for dimes on the dollar at the trading deadline. Imagine having him on Dwight right now instead of Z. And I'll tell you one thing, Chandler sure as hell won't try to lay shit up if and when he's two inches from the basket. Dwight's ass is getting on a poster if he tries to block that shit.

That's just four guys that I could think of off the top of my head...I'm sure there are more.

 

[imahustla]

Z will retire a Cavalier.

Start screaming, go ahead.

Will you scream with me when LeBron leaves in 2010 all because people like you were more worried about whether or not Z retires a Cav?

Don't know about you, but I'm more about LeBron retiring a Cav instead of Z. But that's just me.

 

[Splitz]

It's just where he's at in his career and what he's being asked to do doesn't really align with his strengths. The huge benefit is that he can draw the opposing big men out of the paint with his jump shot but that's not falling consistently. He doesn't have the foot speed to keep up with athletic big men and he is somewhat neutralized in his effectiveness at grabbing offensive boards and tip ins because of Howards length. He's also physically probably not 100% and doesn't seem to have really gotten in a rythm with this long break. He is simply relied upon to do too much but it's a personnel issue. I kind of feel bad for him having to be relied upon like this. My gravest concern has been our future at the Center position. Not to mention it doesn't help much that Joe Smith was relegated to the bench.

 

[Dirk Gently]

I see Z as a contributor for another 5 years, but in a limited role. As a backup center, he creates mismatch problems with just about every team. And he has a game that will age well. Other than Howard, there are about 3-5 other players in the league that Z just can't compete against. His pick and pop game and jump shot should be around for a long time. And it's not like he's going to get any slower. His game is what it will be for another 5 years or so.

What the Cavs really need though is a strong low post player who can block shots, dunk, and hit a mid range jumper a little better than AV can. He also needs to be strong enough to help keep some of the bigger post players in the league a bit further from the basket. And he should be quick enough to play good help defense, but he doesn't need to be a burner. Average quickness for a big is all that's really needed. This is the type of player every other team still in the playoffs has. Hopefully a guy like JJ or D-block can develop into that type of player. But Z doesn't have a whole lot of versatility right now. But against teams where they can get away with playing Z (and that's against most teams really), he is a huge match up problem, and really pulls bigs out of the paint to open up driving lanes.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

And we can address those guys this offseason, if we don't make a comeback, with Ben Wallace's expiring contract and Sasha Pavlovic's partially guaranteed expiring contract(very valuable).

What you WON'T see, is Zydrunas' Ilgauskus traded.

You might see him relegated to the bench.

You might see him only played the first and third quarter.

You might see him turn into a cheerleader.

You won't see him in a uniform that doesn't say "Cavaliers".

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Will you scream with me when LeBron leaves in 2010 all because people like you were more worried about whether or not Z retires a Cav?

Don't know about you, but I'm more about LeBron retiring a Cav instead of Z. But that's just me.

Think about what you're saying now. Just step back, and think about it.

You're saying LeBron will leave in 2010 if we don't trade Zydrunas Ilgauskus.

I'll give you 15 minutes to recant that. Go ahead.

 

[OnTheReg]

I see Z as a contributor for another 5 years, but in a limited role. As a backup center, he creates mismatch problems with just about every team. And he has a game that will age well. Other than Howard, there are about 3-5 other players in the league that Z just can't compete against. His pick and pop game and jump shot should be around for a long time. And it's not like he's going to get any slower. His game is what it will be for another 5 years or so.

What the Cavs really need though is a strong low post player who can block shots, dunk, and hit a mid range jumper a little better than AV can. He also needs to be strong enough to help keep some of the bigger post players in the league a bit further from the basket. And he should be quick enough to play good help defense, but he doesn't need to be a burner. Average quickness for a big is all that's really needed. This is the type of player every other team still in the playoffs has. Hopefully a guy like JJ or D-block can develop into that type of player. But Z doesn't have a whole lot of versatility right now. But against teams where they can get away with playing Z (and that's against most teams really), he is a huge match up problem, and really pulls bigs out of the paint to open up driving lanes.

5 years, are you kidding me? He can barely move around now, imagine how slow he'll be in 5 years. The Wheelchair Cavaliers will be able to take him off the dribble by then. No thanks!

 

[imahustla]

Think about what you're saying now. Just step back, and think about it.

You're saying LeBron will leave in 2010 if we don't trade Zydrunas Ilgauskus.

I'll give you 15 minutes to recant that. Go ahead.

No, LeBron and Z are boys. I get that. But remember that the East isn't getting any easier. Orlando gets Jameer Nelson back next season. Given the way this series has gone, they would have swept us by now if Jameer was healthy given how well they were playing before his injury.

Somebody else mentioned having Z in a limited role, and I get that. My point here is that given what Z is asked to do (and what the team NEEDS him to do, except that his abilities don't allow him to do that), he is not going to help this team win a championship. If getting rid of him is what it takes to get someone in here that WILL do what we need, then so be it. If getting a guy that helps us beat teams like Orlando and L.A. will relegate Z to the bench, then so be it, as well.

But keeping Z on this roster or keeping him to play the role he's playing right now won't win this team any championships. And THAT, my friend, is what it will all come down to in 2010.

And it's not Mike Brown's fault. He simply doesn't have anybody on his roster who can play the role that he needs Z to play. He's not going to put a rookie like Darnell Jackson in there when the season's on the line. And Anderson Varejao isn't going to play 40-plus minutes. Plus he only gets six fouls. This roster has been stretched thin in this series. I'm all about getting rid of Z, but if the Cavs can get a player who can fill the role that they need Z to fill this offseason while keeping Z, then so be it.

I just don't want to see Z play more than 20 minutes a game for the Cavs from this point forward.