Z and LeBron a Good Fit?

[Karma]

Danny Ferry thinks so....

I recently had a long talk with Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry about Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Ferry quickly said: ``There are only two untouchables on the Cavs: LeBron James and Dan Gilbert.''

The rest can go, and Ferry put himself in that category.

But he stressed that while Ilgauskas did not play well in the postseason, he remains a valuable part of the team. You can't just say, "Dump Z,'' and not have a viable alternative at center.

Even in Detroit, there is some concern about Ben Wallace because his dismal foul shooting has made him a liability at the end of close games. Virtually every big man -- except perhaps Tim Duncan -- has a weakness in some part of his game.

Ferry stressed that Ilgauskas had a strong regular season, averaging 15.6 points and 7.6 rebounds, and shooting 51 percent from the field, 83 percent at the foul line.

"It's very hard to replace that kind of production,'' he said. "Z also works well with LeBron because he can go outside and make a jump shot. That opens the middle for LeBron to drive. If you have a center who can only play near the basket, that clogs up the middle and makes it harder for LeBron to get to the rim.''
Ilgauskas turned 31 on June 5. He has missed only 10 games over the last four years. I sense Ferry's goal is not to replace Ilgauskas, but to acquire a defensive center/power forward type to come off the bench.

I've been mentioning Jamaal Magloire (Milwaukee) and Nazr Mohammed of San Antonio as possibilities for the Cavs to look at. Ferry didn't mention either of those guys, but I sense they are on the Cavs' radar screen.

Terry Pluto

 

[PIP]

Do we really need another topic on this ?

 

[Karma]

Well the other thread similar to this had turned into a Gooden trade thread. This is merely for reading purposes in general. Feel free though to let loose.

 

[TheAdmin]

Interesting stats about Z I'll throw into this nice new thread.


In games where Z makes 6 FG's or more the cavs are 22-20.

if Z gets 2 assists or more the Cavs have a great record of 18-9.

When Z gets 29 minutes or more the Cavs are 29-24.

Not sure what all that really means, but it is quite interesting.

 

[PIP]

*EDIT*

Forget what I just said..

I actually want no part of this discussion anymore...

 

[cdt]

No viable option? Shit I'll play center..get Z out of here. It's easy to see that Ferry's ties with Ilgauskas are keeping the sloth in Cleveland.

 

[NarlCavs]

Wouldn't it make more sense to get that strong defense and rebounding from the PF position rather than trade Z when it's looking doubtful you'll be able to get equal value for him?

Z has fit fine with LeBron for 3 seasons. People need to look at more than a playoff shooting slump and some less than expected playoff game performances.

If Z gets traded than that has to lead to other roster changes and having to acquire a big time PF to provide a scoring threat and presence in the post. C's like Mohammed, Przybilla and Magloire won't provide that. The Cavs would also have to get a shooter at PG, not maybe get one but HAVE to get one. Z does provide a perimeter threat at C.

The Cavs are run by pretty smart people. If a great offer comes along for Z he would be traded. Ferry's friendship wouldn't matter or come into play.

 

[tim]

personally i think Z would be a great backup center. Or just start the game, play half a quarter then come out. Something like that, but dont let him be the #1 center, we need to draft or sign or trade to get a legitamate defending center.