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Zydrunas officially retires.
- Thread starter DDJ7777
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DDJ7777
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bob2the2nd
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man has more money than he knows what to do with, why would he care?
caf
Some people did something.
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I think it says a lot that he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer first and not the Miami Herald.
Time to build Z a statue? He deserves one more than Thome :chuckles:
MikeSwim07
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Too bad he never got a title. But congratz to him on a great career!
Because the rumor goes Z and Riley had a pre-arranged deal that would pay Z more than the vet min for this last season via a buyout this season.
What he might want to do with the money he earns, is his personal business and isn't a factor.
That's hard to believe. I mean who would think Pat Riley would have any connection to any prearranged deals.
Z didn't exactly finish his career on the highest note but overcome a lot to put together a long and very solid career.
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I'd like to see Z come back to the organization in some capacity, even if he is just a Community Liaison who coordinates charity work. I bet he would be awesome on a post game show.
Additionally, I think it was classy the way Z retired last December or so, then just kept collecting checks.
Additionally, I think it was classy the way Z retired last December or so, then just kept collecting checks.
Scrote Squad
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You hadn't posted for 27 days before this beauty. Too bad we couldn't have kept that streak going.
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From Tom Reed at the PD:
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Former Cavs' center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to retire after 1 year with Heat
Published: Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:22 PM Updated: Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:30 PM
By Tom Reed, The Plain Dealer
Zydrunas Ilgauskas sat in the lobby of a North Olmsted physical therapy center facility Friday, bracketed by his two young sons.
The longtime former Cavaliers center, who endured five foot surgeries to play 13 NBA seasons, was not present to get treatment, but to give support. There was a sheet cake on a nearby table, and the adjacent room teemed with local businessmen celebrating the grand opening of the facility owned by Ilgauskas' wife.
It was Jennifer's moment, and the 36-year-old husband looked forward to being part of many more without the interruption of another flight, practice or game. Ilgauskas said Friday that he's retiring after a career that included two All-Star appearances and two trips to the NBA Finals -- including one with the Cavs in 2007.
"Enough is enough," said Ilgauskas, who spent last season with the Miami Heat. "My body is beat up and I'm tired physically. There is no age limit, but everyone knows when it's time.
"I want to spend more time with my family. I have spent the past 15 years living out of a suitcase. It's time."
The athlete known simply as "Z" played 12 seasons in Cleveland. Alongside LeBron James, he helped transform the franchise from laughingstock to Eastern Conference champion. The long-limbed Lithuanian blocked shots, sunk midrange jumpers and kept countless possessions alive with tips and rebounds.
The 7-foot-3 center did it all on surgically repaired feet that robbed him of two full seasons and jeopardized his career not long after the Cavs drafted him 20th overall in 1996. He probably spent half his time here in The Q's trainer's room, receiving treatment in preparation for games.
Ilgauskas is the franchise's career leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocked shots (1,269). He's second in scoring behind James, with 10,616 points.
He also ranks 40th all-time in the NBA in shots blocked per game.
"It was great to have Z as a teammate in Cleveland," Cavs forward Anderson Varejao said in an e-mail. "He's an outstanding professional and great human being. Z was a warrior that battled a severe injury early in his career and was able to make a great NBA career. I learned a lot from him."
Due to the NBA lockout, the Cavaliers could not immediately comment on Ilgauskas. The organization is checking with the league to see if he's filed the necessary paperwork and hopes to receive permission to address his retirement.
There's little doubt his No. 11 will hang from The Q rafters, and it's believed Ilgauskas will have an opportunity to work for the franchise. His immediate plans are to visit his parents in Lithuania before returning to Miami, where his boys attend school.
The last two seasons have been difficult ones for Ilgauskas. He lost his starting spot to Shaquille O'Neal in his final season in Cleveland and was used sparingly in the Heat's post-season run to the NBA Finals after suffering a foot infection in March.
Ilgauskas said he's most proud of his longevity. It allowed him to weather the bad seasons and small crowds at The Q before the club became a perennial contender from 2005-10.
He relished his role on the Cavs team that defeated the Detroit Pistons to advance to the 2007 NBA Finals.
"There are so many great memories here, and I was lucky to play in one place for so long. . . . The early disappointments made the winning that much better," Ilgauskas said.
"I really enjoyed those years, but I would tell the young guys not to take anything for granted. We made those trips to the playoffs and had all those national TV games, but nothing lasts forever. I was there when the arena was empty. I can appreciate the whole experience now."
-----
Former Cavs' center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to retire after 1 year with Heat
Published: Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:22 PM Updated: Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:30 PM
By Tom Reed, The Plain Dealer
Zydrunas Ilgauskas sat in the lobby of a North Olmsted physical therapy center facility Friday, bracketed by his two young sons.
The longtime former Cavaliers center, who endured five foot surgeries to play 13 NBA seasons, was not present to get treatment, but to give support. There was a sheet cake on a nearby table, and the adjacent room teemed with local businessmen celebrating the grand opening of the facility owned by Ilgauskas' wife.
It was Jennifer's moment, and the 36-year-old husband looked forward to being part of many more without the interruption of another flight, practice or game. Ilgauskas said Friday that he's retiring after a career that included two All-Star appearances and two trips to the NBA Finals -- including one with the Cavs in 2007.
"Enough is enough," said Ilgauskas, who spent last season with the Miami Heat. "My body is beat up and I'm tired physically. There is no age limit, but everyone knows when it's time.
"I want to spend more time with my family. I have spent the past 15 years living out of a suitcase. It's time."
The athlete known simply as "Z" played 12 seasons in Cleveland. Alongside LeBron James, he helped transform the franchise from laughingstock to Eastern Conference champion. The long-limbed Lithuanian blocked shots, sunk midrange jumpers and kept countless possessions alive with tips and rebounds.
The 7-foot-3 center did it all on surgically repaired feet that robbed him of two full seasons and jeopardized his career not long after the Cavs drafted him 20th overall in 1996. He probably spent half his time here in The Q's trainer's room, receiving treatment in preparation for games.
Ilgauskas is the franchise's career leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocked shots (1,269). He's second in scoring behind James, with 10,616 points.
He also ranks 40th all-time in the NBA in shots blocked per game.
"It was great to have Z as a teammate in Cleveland," Cavs forward Anderson Varejao said in an e-mail. "He's an outstanding professional and great human being. Z was a warrior that battled a severe injury early in his career and was able to make a great NBA career. I learned a lot from him."
Due to the NBA lockout, the Cavaliers could not immediately comment on Ilgauskas. The organization is checking with the league to see if he's filed the necessary paperwork and hopes to receive permission to address his retirement.
There's little doubt his No. 11 will hang from The Q rafters, and it's believed Ilgauskas will have an opportunity to work for the franchise. His immediate plans are to visit his parents in Lithuania before returning to Miami, where his boys attend school.
The last two seasons have been difficult ones for Ilgauskas. He lost his starting spot to Shaquille O'Neal in his final season in Cleveland and was used sparingly in the Heat's post-season run to the NBA Finals after suffering a foot infection in March.
Ilgauskas said he's most proud of his longevity. It allowed him to weather the bad seasons and small crowds at The Q before the club became a perennial contender from 2005-10.
He relished his role on the Cavs team that defeated the Detroit Pistons to advance to the 2007 NBA Finals.
"There are so many great memories here, and I was lucky to play in one place for so long. . . . The early disappointments made the winning that much better," Ilgauskas said.
"I really enjoyed those years, but I would tell the young guys not to take anything for granted. We made those trips to the playoffs and had all those national TV games, but nothing lasts forever. I was there when the arena was empty. I can appreciate the whole experience now."
