Zydrunas Ilgauskas is focused on working in the Cavaliers' front office, not on coaching.

"Z doesn't want to coach," Scott said. "If he sees something he can help Tristan [Thompson] with, he will. He'll give some advice." Big Z is adored in Cleveland for his 13 seasons with the Cavs, which included a trip to the Finals, and not even his defection to LeBron's Heat could sully his image.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been hired as a special assistant to GM Chris Grant for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ilgauskas was a fan favorite in Cleveland during his tenure there and it's nice to see him be welcomed back in a front office role after retiring.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas has announced his retirement from the NBA at the age of 36.

Big Z played 14 seasons in the NBA, along the way overcoming a string of serious foot injuries, personal problems and even insomnia. He'll finish his NBA career with averages of 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. The Cavaliers have unofficially decided to retire his jersey, which is only appropriate -- he spent his entire career with Cleveland before following LeBron to Miami for the 2010-11 season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will reportedly retire Zydrunas Ilgauskas' no. 11 jersey.

No. 1 draft pick Kyrie Irving apparently spilled the beans on his recent trip to China, when he revealed that he wanted the number upon being drafted, but was told by the team's management that it was set to be retired. For that reason, we have reason to believe that the Cavs are serious about retiring Ilgauskas' jersey. It's a classy move by Cleveland, where Big Z is revered among the fans. He spent his first 12 seasons in the NBA with the team before moving to Miami in 2010-11.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas exercised his $1.4 million player option to remain with the Heat for the 2011-12 season.

This comes as a little bit of a surprise given Ilgauskas' age (36), but he apparently wants to make one more run at a title. Ilgauskas averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Heat last season.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas reiterated that he isn't sure if he will retire this offseason.

Ilgauskas has a $1.4 million player option for next season. Considering he likely won't even be active for a single game in the Finals, we don't see why he would return to the Heat.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is active for the Heat in Sunday's Game 4.

He was in street clothes for Game 3, but should get some action tonight. Joel Anthony will start again at center, while Jamaal Magloire and Erick Dampier will not be in uniform tonight.

Coach Erik Spoelstra was non-committal about his Game 2 lineup, and would not say whether Zydrunas Ilgauskas or Erick Dampier would be activated on Wednesday.

Spo went small in Game 1, using Joel Anthony for 30 minutes, and he'll have to seriously consider whether the size and bulk of Big Z, in particular, will be a sound offset to the athleticism of Joakim Noah. After getting beaten on the boards soundly in Game 1, it wouldn't be surprising to see Big Z draw a start and play 15-20 minutes.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is unsure whether or not he will retire at the end of this season.

He's been extremely ineffective, averaging just 5.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg in the regular season, the worst numbers of his career. He's been even worse in the playoffs, and actually found himself as a Game 1 inactive for the inaugural game of the Eastern Conference finals against Chicago. Although it wouldn't be surprising if Big Z decided to hang it up, the most interesting item was that he referenced the fact that there would be a lockout anyway when he was asked about his looming decision.

The Heat will continue to start Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mike Bibby, despite the fact that Miami's starting unit has been outscored by 50 points in the playoffs.

"I've got to figure out a way to make that lineup work," said Spoelstra, who feels that Ilgauskas' shooting creates more space in the lane for LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh. Joel Anthony has been far more effective during his time on the court, but he'll remain a reserve for now.

The Heat are expected to start Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mike Bibby along with their Big Three in the playoffs.

Erick Dampier has been the Heat's starting center for most of the last two months, but the Heat want Ilgauskas' shooting ability out there for the start of games now. We'd expect coach Erick Spoelstra to often go small in the first round anyway as they take on the run-n-gun Sixers. At point guard, a relatively even timeshare between Bibby and Mario Chalmers is likely.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas was ejected on Friday after throwing the ball at Zaza Pachulia, hitting him in the back.

Ilgauskas could be suspended for Wednesday's finale, but didn't really have fantasy value to begin with.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas started at center for the Heat on Friday and had 10 points and four boards in 18 minutes.

Erick Dampier was named as the starter at game time, but never got off the bench.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas started in place of Erick Dampier at center for the Heat on Friday.

Ilgauskas was out of the rotation for a time, but gets the call tonight. However, that doesn't mean he necessarily has fantasy value.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Juwan Howard have each been fined for their role in the melee that resulted in John Wall's suspension.

Howard was fined $35,000 and Big Z was tagged for $25,000. Safe to say that Wall came out the loser in this one.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas returned to action on Sunday March 27.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas should be available to play on Sunday after missing the past eight games with a foot infection.

When he'll rejoin the rotation, and in what role, remains to be determined -- the Heat have increasingly been having success going small with Chris Bosh at center and LeBron James at power forward. The presence of bruisers like Joel Anthony and Erick Dampier also doesn't help Big Z's role.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas' recent illness was a type of strep infection, possibly a "dangerous and antibiotic-resistant strain."

Ilgauskas won't play Friday, but thanks to three days of hospitalization and large amounts of antibiotics he is expected to return soon. "I can deal with broken bones but when something from inside attacks you, I've never had that before," said Ilgauskas.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (foot) will miss another game on Friday.

The Heat have been playing well without Big Z in the middle, and beat writer Ira Winderman writes, "One has to wonder at this point if he still is in the thinking at center." His size and experience may come in handy during the playoffs, but he's not going to help fantasy owners.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (foot infection) may practice with the Heat Thursday.

Ilgauskas has missed six straight games and the Heat have gone 5-1 over that span. He'll play around 12-15 minutes off the bench once healthy.