Zydrunas Plans On Playing For Lithuania

[TheAdmin]

Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had announced he was ready to play but his wife Jennifer tragically delivered stillborn twins in February.

Ilgauskas eventually returned to the court and helped Cleveland reach the NBA Finals.

"He was ready to play (on his national team) for the first time after 12 years this summer, but now, unofficially, he's moved his plans to the next summer," Kunigelis said.

"He said he would like to play at the Beijing Olympics if Lithuania qualify, or in the additional qualifying tournament next year."

Lithuania will compete in Group C in Palma de Mallorca against Germany, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

Link

I thought that national ship sailed past him right after this 3rd foot surgery. I guess he feels healthy enough that he can play all year long, either this summer or next.

 

[Karma]

Maybe the Olympics, along with a championship ring, is something he wants to do before he retires. Come 2008/09 season (after the Olympics) I am sure the Cavs would have plans for Ilgauskas to be playing a more minor role.

 

[Jon]

I think at this point his feet may very well outlast humanity, I'm more concerned with his back and legs. The article is kind of hard to make out, but it sounds like he won't be participating this summer - so Z should be doing his best to recover from the longest season of his career.

 

[Maximus]

He's doing nothing with the Lithuanian team this summer.

 

[acesclone]

Z's game would work well in international play.

 

[TheAdmin]

I'm just worried that he won't be able to say no. If he tweaks something will he tell the national team that he can't play or will he play through it? Will his he get the same type of medical care that the Cavs provide?