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ZZZZeeeee!!!
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bigtyme
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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
Thank you my friend. I feel the same way. I live in Las Vegas and I hear the exact same garbage.
"the first thing you guys need to do is get a center cuz' that big white boy is too slow and sorry."
You embiciles!!! He's got an untraditional game for a big. But a very effective game. And Lebron loves and respects the guy. I hope Z retires a Cavalier.
ClevelandFanati
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Exactly... sure enough, I had an argument with a friend last night, a KNICKS fan mind you... I made the comment that Z is easily one of the top ten centers in the game, and this year he may even be a top 5 center.
My friend nearly fell over and argued staunchly with me for about 10 minutes, claiming Z was garbage.
When I asked him to name five centers better, he struggled... the only consensus in the room was Dwight Howard and Yao > Z. I agreed that I would rather have Gasol and Amare if you count them as centers. After that, you can make an argument for Z over anyone else in the league. He tried to say guys like Eddie Curry (no d and no rebounds), Shaq (old and unmotivated), and Camby (old, injury prone and no offense) are light years ahead of Z... Once he took a look at Z's numbers this season (and last), he finally admitted "well, maybe he's a top 10 center, but...."
KEEP IT UP BIG Z
Let's make sure this guy is an all-star and gets some of the credit he deserves!ClevelandFanati
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Actually, I didn't forget him, I just conveniently left him out to make my argument stronger
Seriously though, Kaman is a guy I would take without question over Z, given his age and his dominance in the paint. I live in So Cal so I see the Clips play often, and this guy is a tough force on the block. We all witnessed that when Cleveland was in LA. He has moves and a very nice touch on his shot. He REALLY worked during the offseason and has refined his offensive game, which should make him one of the five best centers in the league for a long time.
Edited to add that I think Kaman does not get the credit he deserves for many of the same reasons Z does not... and I'm not just talking about race here. I think that the casual fan looks at Kaman and sees a big goofy looking unathletic white guy, and assumes Kaman is a stiff. But like Z, Kaman knows how to play the game. He gets the most out of his ability and is actually a very skilled player and more athletic than he might seem.
Rick Astley
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I know Kaman as a faster-than-your-average-7foot center. But I see him as a cave man hence the Kaveman spawned nick in various forums.
bigtyme
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I dont know if he's been overlooked or not. Brand has been the preeminent big man in LA for the past six seasons. Due to Brands injury to start this season, Kaman has gotten an opportunity to step up and get touches. He has produced nicely for LA.
Brand has a Player option for next season, I wonder if we'd be able to put something together to bring him to Cleveland....?
Brand has a Player option for next season, I wonder if we'd be able to put something together to bring him to Cleveland....?
I'd like someone to come back to me with a healthier center over the last 5-6 seasons then Ilgauskas. I think last I checked, Garnett was the only true big who challenged Z for games played over that period.
Ilgauskas has been nothing short of sensational this season. Not really surprising though as finally they are assembling a lineup / offense that suits his game. Just like Kaman, the opportunities are regular unlike previously. Its harder for the big men to just turn it on aftre being ignored for long periods. Perimeter players are regulary getting the ball in positions they are comfortbale with. Z hasn't had that luxury for some time, so to see him suceed when the Cavs play to his comfort zones is hardly shocking.
Still though he must cry for a solid power forward who can defend. He has been marking the oppositions premier big during the entire Boozer / Gooden tenure. He would be an even bigger shot blocking threat if he could only focus on defending centers. His help defense would jump to another level.
Ilgauskas has been nothing short of sensational this season. Not really surprising though as finally they are assembling a lineup / offense that suits his game. Just like Kaman, the opportunities are regular unlike previously. Its harder for the big men to just turn it on aftre being ignored for long periods. Perimeter players are regulary getting the ball in positions they are comfortbale with. Z hasn't had that luxury for some time, so to see him suceed when the Cavs play to his comfort zones is hardly shocking.
Still though he must cry for a solid power forward who can defend. He has been marking the oppositions premier big during the entire Boozer / Gooden tenure. He would be an even bigger shot blocking threat if he could only focus on defending centers. His help defense would jump to another level.
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bob2the2nd
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Kypus
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Anyone have any video of that play?
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More minutes suiting Z just fine
BOB FINNAN, Morning Journal Writer
11/20/2007
INDEPENDENCE -- The Cavaliers are taking a voyage into unchartered waters.
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has never played more than 33.5 minutes a game in his 12-year NBA career.
He's currently playing 33.9 -- and with no proven backup in the front court available -- it could go up.
The cure for the problem is thousands of miles away in Brazil, as backup forward/center Anderson Varejao continues to balk at any contract the Cavs put before him.
As negotiations drag on, Ilgauskas' minutes -- and production -- goes up. He's averaging 16 points, a career-high 12.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. The 7-foot-2, 260-pounder is shooting 50 percent from the field (67-of-134) and 83.9 percent from the foul line (26-of-31).
Cavs coach Mike Brown said he'd like to keep Ilgauskas around 32 minutes per game. Ilgauskas doesn't think it's a recipe for disaster if he plays more.
''I take very good care of myself,'' he said. ''I'm not 20 any more. I'm 32. Coach gives me rest when he thinks I need it.
''I've been playing more than (32). He'd like to keep me as low as he can. It's hard to go full speed for 40-45 minutes.''
The Lithuanian native said he'd rather be on the court than sitting down.
''Any player is lying to you if he says he doesn't like playing more,'' Ilgauskas said.
The increased time has helped his numbers. He's leading the NBA in offensive rebounds (4.9) and is fourth in total rebounds. He has seven double-doubles in the first 10 games.
Still, Brown wants to keep a handle on his minutes.
''I feel like two years ago when I kept saying I wanted to get LeBron (James) down to 40 (minutes), and he was at 43,'' he said. ''I feel like I'm going the same thing with Z. Z is very important for me to control (his minutes) because of his age and his size.''
Cavs forward LeBron James has noticed range on Ilgauskas' jump shot has increased.
''I think Z is feeding off of guys double teaming me,'' he said. ''Right now he is shooting the outside shot at an unbelievable efficiency. You aren't going to block his shot.''
Brown is also impressed.
''With as much attention as LeBron is drawing now, it doesn't matter if Z is at 12 feet or 19 feet, that shot will go in eight out of 10 times if he has a clean look,'' he said. ''He's going to have a clean look most times since he's 7-2.
''He's rebounding his behind off. Defensively, he's in tune with what he's supposed to be doing, especially on the weak side of the floor. I'm happy with the way he's playing.''
Ilgauskas said he's normally a slow starter.
''For some reason, it's different this year,'' he said. ''Maybe it's more minutes. I'm a little lighter this year (255).''
Not only is he satisfied with the first 10 games, he's very happy to be 5-5 heading into tonight's game against Milwaukee.
''We've gone through one of the toughest stretches of the season that we're going to see with the injuries, West Coast trip and China,'' he said. ''It's been a rough stretch for us, probably toughest since I've been here.
''Five-and-five is not a bad place to be.''
Snow in forecast
Guard Eric Snow, who has yet to play in a game this year, said he'll make his season debut against the Bucks. He missed the entire preseason after have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
''I don't feel 100 percent, but I'm ready to go out there and do what I can do,'' the 34-year-old Snow said. ''If I can do it in practice, I can try to do it in a game.''
When asked if he would have any minute restrictions, he joked, ''I don't think that will come into play.''
Snow's return comes at a good time since Larry Hughes (bone bruise) will miss at least four weeks.
Yi's coming
Bucks rookie power forward Yi Jianlian, the No. 6 pick in the 2007 draft, has moved into the starting lineup. The 7-foot, 238-pound Chinese native is averaging 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. He's similar to Toronto's Andrea Bargnani, a 7-footer who likes to hang out on the perimeter.
''I haven't seen him play, just some highlights,'' Ilgauskas said. ''He looks very skilled. It looks like a nice pickup for them.''
Ilgauskas had many adjustments when he came to the U.S. in 1996.
''It takes at least the first season,'' he said. ''I think he speaks pretty good English. The culture is the first thing. It can be mentally draining.''
He's No. 1
For perhaps the first time in his career, Cavs forward LeBron James is leading the NBA in scoring at 29.2.
RFinnan@news-herald.com
BOB FINNAN, Morning Journal Writer
11/20/2007
INDEPENDENCE -- The Cavaliers are taking a voyage into unchartered waters.
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has never played more than 33.5 minutes a game in his 12-year NBA career.
He's currently playing 33.9 -- and with no proven backup in the front court available -- it could go up.
The cure for the problem is thousands of miles away in Brazil, as backup forward/center Anderson Varejao continues to balk at any contract the Cavs put before him.
As negotiations drag on, Ilgauskas' minutes -- and production -- goes up. He's averaging 16 points, a career-high 12.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. The 7-foot-2, 260-pounder is shooting 50 percent from the field (67-of-134) and 83.9 percent from the foul line (26-of-31).
Cavs coach Mike Brown said he'd like to keep Ilgauskas around 32 minutes per game. Ilgauskas doesn't think it's a recipe for disaster if he plays more.
''I take very good care of myself,'' he said. ''I'm not 20 any more. I'm 32. Coach gives me rest when he thinks I need it.
''I've been playing more than (32). He'd like to keep me as low as he can. It's hard to go full speed for 40-45 minutes.''
The Lithuanian native said he'd rather be on the court than sitting down.
''Any player is lying to you if he says he doesn't like playing more,'' Ilgauskas said.
The increased time has helped his numbers. He's leading the NBA in offensive rebounds (4.9) and is fourth in total rebounds. He has seven double-doubles in the first 10 games.
Still, Brown wants to keep a handle on his minutes.
''I feel like two years ago when I kept saying I wanted to get LeBron (James) down to 40 (minutes), and he was at 43,'' he said. ''I feel like I'm going the same thing with Z. Z is very important for me to control (his minutes) because of his age and his size.''
Cavs forward LeBron James has noticed range on Ilgauskas' jump shot has increased.
''I think Z is feeding off of guys double teaming me,'' he said. ''Right now he is shooting the outside shot at an unbelievable efficiency. You aren't going to block his shot.''
Brown is also impressed.
''With as much attention as LeBron is drawing now, it doesn't matter if Z is at 12 feet or 19 feet, that shot will go in eight out of 10 times if he has a clean look,'' he said. ''He's going to have a clean look most times since he's 7-2.
''He's rebounding his behind off. Defensively, he's in tune with what he's supposed to be doing, especially on the weak side of the floor. I'm happy with the way he's playing.''
Ilgauskas said he's normally a slow starter.
''For some reason, it's different this year,'' he said. ''Maybe it's more minutes. I'm a little lighter this year (255).''
Not only is he satisfied with the first 10 games, he's very happy to be 5-5 heading into tonight's game against Milwaukee.
''We've gone through one of the toughest stretches of the season that we're going to see with the injuries, West Coast trip and China,'' he said. ''It's been a rough stretch for us, probably toughest since I've been here.
''Five-and-five is not a bad place to be.''
Snow in forecast
Guard Eric Snow, who has yet to play in a game this year, said he'll make his season debut against the Bucks. He missed the entire preseason after have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
''I don't feel 100 percent, but I'm ready to go out there and do what I can do,'' the 34-year-old Snow said. ''If I can do it in practice, I can try to do it in a game.''
When asked if he would have any minute restrictions, he joked, ''I don't think that will come into play.''
Snow's return comes at a good time since Larry Hughes (bone bruise) will miss at least four weeks.
Yi's coming
Bucks rookie power forward Yi Jianlian, the No. 6 pick in the 2007 draft, has moved into the starting lineup. The 7-foot, 238-pound Chinese native is averaging 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. He's similar to Toronto's Andrea Bargnani, a 7-footer who likes to hang out on the perimeter.
''I haven't seen him play, just some highlights,'' Ilgauskas said. ''He looks very skilled. It looks like a nice pickup for them.''
Ilgauskas had many adjustments when he came to the U.S. in 1996.
''It takes at least the first season,'' he said. ''I think he speaks pretty good English. The culture is the first thing. It can be mentally draining.''
He's No. 1
For perhaps the first time in his career, Cavs forward LeBron James is leading the NBA in scoring at 29.2.
RFinnan@news-herald.com