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Z - Cleveland Magazine article

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We're getting this man a ring. LeBron is going to make damned sure of it.
 
Z better be the 1st person LeBron seeks out again when we win it all :thumbup:
 
I seriously cried when I saw LeBron ran to Z and hugged him first after we captured the Eastern Conference crown in 07.

Now, I hope to cry more tears concluding a dream season that isn't that, with Bron hugging Z for being the 2008-2009 NBA Champions. :)
 
During the season they had a tribute to Z on FSN. It was very similar to this. I wish I could find it online, it really was great. It really made me love and respect the guy.
 
I was at the draft part the night that Z was drafted (along with Potenpinko with the earlier selection). No one was happy with the pick then.

I know I am now.
 
Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas enjoys break from the game
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Mary Schmitt Boyer
Plain Dealer Reporter
With the Cavaliers facing another long layoff, most of the players are keenly following the Boston-Orlando series, which will determine the Cavs' opponent in the Eastern Conference finals.

But not Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

"I watch the Travel Channel or the Discovery Channel," the Cleveland center said. "I don't watch much basketball. When I'm at home, I like to kick back and read a book or do something else. The last thing I want to do is watch games."

Ilgauskas - nursing a sore ankle and shoulder - is thrilled with the extra time to recover after sweeping Atlanta out of the conference semifinals, and to get ready for what he figures will be a much tougher series.

If the Celtics (up, 3-2, in the series) win in Orlando tonight, they will open at The Q on Monday. If that series goes seven games, the winner will face the Cavs on Wednesday.

"Each player prepares differently," Ilgauskas said. "Some guys take more time off. Some guys do extra shooting or cardio. They know their bodies and what works for them.

"For me, personally, I wouldn't change it for the world because each added game is more chance for injury. Atlanta and Miami beat the hell out of each other, and when [the Hawks] came to play us, we could tell. Maybe we didn't have our timing, but we had our legs and energy, which they didn't. I like the position we're in."

So does Cavs coach Mike Brown, although he knows people will always question whether there is such as thing as too much rest.

"If we go in and win, people are going to say we did a nice job during this time," he said. "If we go in and we lose, people are going to say we had too much time on our hands. You can look at it as a good thing. I do. But some people may not."

With at least a week off, the Cavs again will try to strike the right balance between working out and resting, trying to stay sharp and trying to relax. They faced the same situation after sweeping Detroit in the first round.

"We just have to make sure we try to take advantage of every day," Brown said.

About the only thing different this time around is that instead of preparing for one or the other of two opponents, this time it's more like three opponents - Orlando, Boston without Kevin Garnett and Boston with Kevin Garnett. Although the Celtics have announced that a knee injury would keep Garnett out of the rest of the playoffs, Joe Smith isn't so sure.

"I'm quite sure the further they go, the healthier he'll get," the Cavaliers forward said with a laugh. "KG is a good friend of mine. I played with him [in Minnesota], and I understand how tough it is for him to sit down and watch his team. I feel for him, and, hopefully, he can get back."

Smith said he had not talked with Garnett lately and had no inside information. But he did have a little insight.

"Our history together, me knowing him and how much he loves this game, I can sense and feel from afar it's real tough on him right now," Smith said.

"When he first got injured, I sent him a text message and wished him the best with his injury, hoping he could get back out there. But I don't know too much about it since."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/124229002430730.xml&coll=2
 
Z is the epitome of what I wish every athlete should be. That man has suffered through so much, yet continued to push through it and persevere. Nothing will make me happier to see him get a ring or 4 before he retires. If anyone deserves it, it's that man. Could someone tell LBJ to let Z hoist that trophy please?
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-14: "Time for Playoff Vengeance on Mickey"

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Episode 3:14: " Time for Playoff Vengeance on Mickey."
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