ZZZZeeeee!!!

[WorldBFree]

I don't know what Zydrunas did over the offseason but so far he has been outstanding. In fact, I really can't remember when he has played this well and hopefully if he continues to play like this you would have to concider a trip to the allstar game. Way to go big fella.

 

[bigtyme]

He, like Lebron has gotten a taste of what its really all about. Nothing felt better than holding that ECF trophy. Nothing felt as bitter sweet as losing in the finals. And nothing will feel as good as Z and Lebron winning a ring together.

You can see it in them. They have the hunger.

 

[Pioneer10]

His jumper has been dead on. His back to the basket game hasn't been great but he's rebounding extremely well and his shooting has simply been outstanding. This offense actually plays to his strength a bit more with concentrating on getting Lebron more in the post instead of just Z and the drive and kicks/Lebron in the post allows Z to get open for that jumper of his.

 

[bigtyme]

Pick and Pop Z and Lebron.... Weve been running it for years. We just run it more than usual this year. Not many bigs are coming out there with Z. If the other teams big doesnt hedge Bron its dunk city. If they switch the P&P its dunk city. If they double, like they always do, Z is nearly automatic from 15-18 feet.

We just need 1 more shooter on the floor to space it out nicely and make the offense nearly unstoppable.

 

[KI4MVP]

I don't know what Zydrunas did over the offseason but so far he has been outstanding. In fact, I really can't remember when he has played this well and hopefully if he continues to play like this you would have to concider a trip to the allstar game. Way to go big fella.

he's the player I kept hearing about who took full advantage of the new practice facility in the offseason.

 

[PIP]

I don't know what Zydrunas did over the offseason but so far he has been outstanding. In fact, I really can't remember when he has played this well and hopefully if he continues to play like this you would have to concider a trip to the allstar game. Way to go big fella.

I have no idea either... But, it's pretty safe to say he's not the same slug that was out there the last couple of seasons...

He's not traveling and turning it over nearly as much...

He's hitting his jumper consistently...

He's disassociated himself with that stupid wild slinging hook shot off the backboard as well...

 

[1B4IGO]

I've been really impressed with his defense both on the ball and his help defense. Z is playing like a man possessed and he and Drew are turning into a very good front court, of course LeBron doesn't hurt either.

 

[Kent State U]

Z after 10 Games:

16.0 points/game
12.1 rebounds/game
50% from the field
84% from the line

I have not ever seen him this fired up after a big play or a bad call by the refs. The big fellow has some fire this year.

 

[DeeThree]

He ranks first in offensive rebounds, and 3rd in double-doubles with 7 through 10 games.

 

[imahustla]

It's gotta be the shaved head. No doubt about it.

Seriously though, I was thinking with all the time he missed early on in his career with the surgeries, maybe Z's isn't your average 32-year old center in (technically) his 11th season? I know that he had all those foot surgeries, and a 32-year old center with a history of foot problems should be anything BUT a reason to believe that he'll get better over the next few years, but Z has been healthy ever since the year before LeBron got here.

81/82 games in '02-03
81/82 games in '03-04
78/82 games in '04-05
78/82 games in '05-06
78/82 games in '06-07
Knock on wood this year...10/10 games

If this guy's foot problems are a thing of the past, then this is really his sixth year of playing consistently with very limited missed games. Some of those games he missed, actually, were due to NBA suspensions and then that one time when Rasheed split open his head.

14 games missed over five seasons, some due to suspensions and a stupid cheap shot. Not too bad. I may be going out on a limb here, but it's safe to say that we can expect this kind of production out of Big Z throughout the remaining three seasons of his contract.

 

[Maximus]

.

 

[ClevelandFanati]

Z is a warrior, no doubt about it, and he will retire one of my favorite Cavs ever due to the adversity he has battled throughout his playing career.

And to think many Cavs fans were disappointed and thought we overpaid when we resigned this guy.

I am still in amazement when fans from other teams (I live in CA) tell me how big of a stiff big Z is... if you don't watch him play regularly, all you see is a slow big white dude with no athleticism... I'm glad his play has been speaking for itself because I'm getting sick of telling these idiots how they don't know basketball

 

[bigtyme]

Ive always loved Big Z's game. He's had the best and worst seasons of his life all in Cleveland.

Might Z make another all star team this year?

 

[1B4IGO]

Z is a warrior, no doubt about it, and he will retire one of my favorite Cavs ever due to the adversity he has battled throughout his playing career.

And to think many Cavs fans were disappointed and thought we overpaid when we resigned this guy.

I am still in amazement when fans from other teams (I live in CA) tell me how big of a stiff big Z is... if you don't watch him play regularly, all you see is a slow big white dude with no athleticism... I'm glad his play has been speaking for itself because I'm getting sick of telling these idiots how they don't know basketball

That's the key, so many casual fans think the game is all about athleticism. Shannon has tons of that but not a high basketball iq. Larry Bird had very little and is one of the greatest to play the game. I've always been taught that you can't quantify heart and will. Z has these and when he used properly it shows.

 

[Jon]

Heck, he just doesn't look that slow or lumbering this season. He's really getting up and down the court well.