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This one's for Pip.
Sounds like Z's moved on at this point.
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Miami Heat's Zydrunas Ilgauskas is eager to resume title chase
BY DIDIER MORAIS
DMORAIS@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Sporting a bronze, South Beach tan, Zydrunas Ilgauskas slowly ambled into BankUnited Center on Media Day. After weeks of anticipation, the towering 7-3 center was making his first public appearance in a Miami Heat uniform.
Yet there has been a comforting familiarity for Ilgauskas after spending his previous 14 years in Cleveland. Joining him in this journey is ex-Cavaliers teammate LeBron James, whose presence has added a sense of normalcy to Ilgauskas' adjustment.
``It may seem like a surprise, but this transition hasn't been hard for me at all,'' Ilgauskas said. ``The only difference is the jersey LeBron and I wear now says `Heat' on it.''
Despite having played sparingly in two of the Heat's three preseason games, the light-hearted veteran is secure in his role. But even as Ilgauskas prepares for Miami's Oct. 26 season opener against Boston, he's still amazed how James lured him to Miami.
SALES PITCH
It was inside a New York City bar on July 8 when Ilgauskas was at the edge of his seat. Like the rest of the nation, he hung on James' every word during the ESPN telecast when James announced he was signing with the Heat.
Ilgauskas had no clue what his future held. But for one hour, that all didn't matter. The Decision was way too captivating.
``I was kind of watching as a fan,'' Ilgauskas said. ``Every day you would hear a thousand different stories and everything else. So I was just watching TV like everybody else. Not even worried so much about myself.''
Indifference quickly turned into investigation. James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were forming a super team -- and they wanted Ilgauskas.
In seven seasons in Cleveland, James and Ilgauskas couldn't win a title. But James was determined to show Ilgauskas they could in Miami.
After a two-day soiree in South Beach to sign his six-year, $110 million contract, James flew back to New York to attend Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony's wedding.
But James had other business on his mind. While he was in town, he scheduled lunch with Ilgauskas in an attempt to convince the free agent to join forces in Miami.
``Anytime you make a transition, you hope you can make it with friends and family,'' James said of his recruiting pitch to Ilgauskas.
So James set the table to sway Ilgauskas. The venue was a restaurant in the upper west side of Manhattan. The cuisine was Italian. The conversation started off with talk about the past, including moments of regret.
``In a perfect world, we'd have won five or six championships in Cleveland and everything would be great,'' Ilgauskas said, reflecting on their Cavaliers tenure. ``But the world is not perfect, and things happen. Things happen for a reason.''
That chat about the past, however, became James' selling point for the future. James assured Ilgauskas that their fantasy of perfection could be a reality with the Big 3.
The possibility was too hard for Ilgauskas to pass up. After weighing several contract offers, he signed with the Heat on July 13.
``I wanted to fight for a championship,'' Ilgauskas said. ``We realize it's a lot of hard of work ahead of us, but we'll have a chance. And that's all you can ask for.''
James, however, also plans to reward Ilgauskas for taking a chance on him nearly three months ago.
``One of my goals is to try to win a championship for this franchise, but also win a championship for him too,'' James said. ``It's special to have him come down here. The big fella has been through a lot through his career -- multiple foot surgeries.''
Despite the injuries, Ilgauskas had a major impact with the Cavs as the franchise's leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocks (1,269).
WINNING RESUME
But now there's only one thing missing from Ilgauskas' résumé, new Heat teammate Udonis Haslem said.
``He's a guy who you definitely want to see have an opportunity to hold that trophy up and get that ring,'' Haslem said. ``Besides being motivated for things people are saying, you definitely are motivated to have him have that opportunity.''
It is a bittersweet feeling, though, for Ilgauskas. He always envisioned savoring championship champagne in Cleveland. But now, Ilgauskas has come to grips with his new reality.
``I can't look back,'' Ilgauskas said. ``I enjoyed my years in Cleveland and I will always -- cherish those. But this is a new journey.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/10/1867217/ilgauskas-is-eager-to-resume-title.html#ixzz120t1KSLJ
Sounds like Z's moved on at this point.
-----
Miami Heat's Zydrunas Ilgauskas is eager to resume title chase
BY DIDIER MORAIS
DMORAIS@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Sporting a bronze, South Beach tan, Zydrunas Ilgauskas slowly ambled into BankUnited Center on Media Day. After weeks of anticipation, the towering 7-3 center was making his first public appearance in a Miami Heat uniform.
Yet there has been a comforting familiarity for Ilgauskas after spending his previous 14 years in Cleveland. Joining him in this journey is ex-Cavaliers teammate LeBron James, whose presence has added a sense of normalcy to Ilgauskas' adjustment.
``It may seem like a surprise, but this transition hasn't been hard for me at all,'' Ilgauskas said. ``The only difference is the jersey LeBron and I wear now says `Heat' on it.''
Despite having played sparingly in two of the Heat's three preseason games, the light-hearted veteran is secure in his role. But even as Ilgauskas prepares for Miami's Oct. 26 season opener against Boston, he's still amazed how James lured him to Miami.
SALES PITCH
It was inside a New York City bar on July 8 when Ilgauskas was at the edge of his seat. Like the rest of the nation, he hung on James' every word during the ESPN telecast when James announced he was signing with the Heat.
Ilgauskas had no clue what his future held. But for one hour, that all didn't matter. The Decision was way too captivating.
``I was kind of watching as a fan,'' Ilgauskas said. ``Every day you would hear a thousand different stories and everything else. So I was just watching TV like everybody else. Not even worried so much about myself.''
Indifference quickly turned into investigation. James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were forming a super team -- and they wanted Ilgauskas.
In seven seasons in Cleveland, James and Ilgauskas couldn't win a title. But James was determined to show Ilgauskas they could in Miami.
After a two-day soiree in South Beach to sign his six-year, $110 million contract, James flew back to New York to attend Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony's wedding.
But James had other business on his mind. While he was in town, he scheduled lunch with Ilgauskas in an attempt to convince the free agent to join forces in Miami.
``Anytime you make a transition, you hope you can make it with friends and family,'' James said of his recruiting pitch to Ilgauskas.
So James set the table to sway Ilgauskas. The venue was a restaurant in the upper west side of Manhattan. The cuisine was Italian. The conversation started off with talk about the past, including moments of regret.
``In a perfect world, we'd have won five or six championships in Cleveland and everything would be great,'' Ilgauskas said, reflecting on their Cavaliers tenure. ``But the world is not perfect, and things happen. Things happen for a reason.''
That chat about the past, however, became James' selling point for the future. James assured Ilgauskas that their fantasy of perfection could be a reality with the Big 3.
The possibility was too hard for Ilgauskas to pass up. After weighing several contract offers, he signed with the Heat on July 13.
``I wanted to fight for a championship,'' Ilgauskas said. ``We realize it's a lot of hard of work ahead of us, but we'll have a chance. And that's all you can ask for.''
James, however, also plans to reward Ilgauskas for taking a chance on him nearly three months ago.
``One of my goals is to try to win a championship for this franchise, but also win a championship for him too,'' James said. ``It's special to have him come down here. The big fella has been through a lot through his career -- multiple foot surgeries.''
Despite the injuries, Ilgauskas had a major impact with the Cavs as the franchise's leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocks (1,269).
WINNING RESUME
But now there's only one thing missing from Ilgauskas' résumé, new Heat teammate Udonis Haslem said.
``He's a guy who you definitely want to see have an opportunity to hold that trophy up and get that ring,'' Haslem said. ``Besides being motivated for things people are saying, you definitely are motivated to have him have that opportunity.''
It is a bittersweet feeling, though, for Ilgauskas. He always envisioned savoring championship champagne in Cleveland. But now, Ilgauskas has come to grips with his new reality.
``I can't look back,'' Ilgauskas said. ``I enjoyed my years in Cleveland and I will always -- cherish those. But this is a new journey.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/10/1867217/ilgauskas-is-eager-to-resume-title.html#ixzz120t1KSLJ
