| Sun Aug 1 2010 | 20:07 | Ilgauskas says 'thank you' to Cavs fans |
Zydrunas Ilgauskas took out a one-page advertisement in Sunday's Cleveland Plain Dealer thanking fans for the time he spent there. |
Of course this will be compared to the way LeBron handled his exit, and rightfully so. Consider this to be a small drop of gas in an otherwise huge P.R. fire for the man once adored in Cleveland, and a fitting goodbye for the man still adored in Cleveland. |
| Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer | |
| Sat Jul 17 2010 | 13:37 | Heat sign Big Z |
The Heat have officially signed Zydrunas Ilgauskas to a two-year deal at the veteran's minimum. |
Big Z should share center duties with Joel Anthony, regardless of which player starts. Next up for Miami will be Juwan Howard, Jamaal Magloire, a veteran PG and a wing defender. |
| Source: Michael Wallace via Twitter | |
| Tue Jul 13 2010 | 14:39 | Big Z about to sign w/ Miami Heat |
Zydrunas Ilgauskas is close to accepting a contract from the Miami Heat, according to Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst. |
Big Z had spent his entire career with Cleveland, but would obviously rather chase a ring with LeBron and the Heat than sit through a re-building process with the Cavs. It's conceivable that he'll start at center while Chris Bosh plays PF. |
| Source: Brian Windhorst via Twitter | |
| Sat Jul 10 2010 | 19:53 | Zydrunas Ilgauskas considers joining Heat |
Free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said that he is "looking into [the] option" of joining ex-teammate LeBron James in Miami. |
The Heat's superstar triumvirate has turned Miami into a magnet for veteran FAs seeking championships. Big Z would likely sign for the veteran's minimum and would provide welcome relief for Chris Bosh, who doesn't want to play center anyway. |
| Source: Michael Wallace via Twitter | |
| Sun Jun 13 2010 | 10:07 | Big Z, Shaq could both leave CLE this summer |
Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas could both be used by the Cavaliers in sign-and-trade deals this summer. |
The Cavs "haven't completely closed the door on Ilgauskas' return," but they have limited financial freedom and will need to get creative. They don't hold Big Z's "Bird" rights, so he would have to be re-signed with the veteran's minimum or a chunk of the mid-level exception. |
| Source: News-Herald | |
| Mon May 17 2010 | 10:37 | Ilgauskas may return, depending upon his role |
Veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas feels he "still has some good basketball" in his 34-year-old body, but won't return to the Cavs unless he's sure to be in the rotation. |
"We have a lot of big guys,'' Ilgauskas said of the Cavs. "It's too early to say, but I don't want to come back and be in a suit or do cardio all season long. I'd rather stay home with my family if that's the case ... This could have been my last shot. That's why I came back." On the other hand, it's very unlikely Shaq will return which could open up minutes for Big Z. |
| Source: Boston Globe | |
| Mon Apr 26 2010 | 11:20 | Ilgauskas has fallen behind Hickson |
Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas has fallen behind J.J. Hickson in the Cavaliers' rotation, at least for their first-round playoff series. |
LeBron James recently praised Hickson for his "energy off the bench ... he puts pressure on the rim, above the rim. There's no substitute for that." Big Z is mostly a spot-up shooter and above-average FT shooter -- a fine tool to have in your bag, but not what the Cavs need right now. |
| Source: News-Herald | |