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Z not just forgetting about the Detroit incident
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cdt
Winter Is Here
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I've been asking for Fortson since about...mmm mid December. I'd like to say my brilliance is rubbing of on you, because if it were the way you had it...then that would mean the Bucks would be 4th and we'd be 6th..
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Cavs' Z up for knocking foes down
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter
The Cavaliers have gained a reputation among some NBA scouts as being a team that is soft in the middle - a team that does not do enough to confront opposing players driving to the basket.
Perhaps this is why one of the loudest ovations during Sunday's 96-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at The Q occurred late in the third quarter - when Lakers guard Smush Parker drove to the hoop and was clobbered by 7-3 Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
It was a clean, hard foul, one that critics say is not done enough. Parker, looking stunned at what his former teammate had done, picked himself up and made one of two free throws.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown liked what he saw. "I am not going to say that we should be going out to hurt anyone," he said, "but I know that as a head coach, we can do more of that.
"We can get better in that area."
In recent weeks, numerous opposing players - from burly power forwards to 175-pound point guards - have regularly treated the middle of the Cavaliers' defense as if it was a freeway to scoring.
It has become a rare sight to see anyone knocked off his feet.
"I agree that we have got to do more of this," Ilgauskas said. "LeBron [James] is getting hit all the time.
"You just can't go out and head-hunt, because you can't forget about playing basketball, but there are certain times in a game when you have to take a stand."
Ilgauskas was fouled as hard as any Cavalier when Detroit's Rasheed Wallace hammered him in a recent game at Auburn Hills, Mich. Five stitches were needed to close a wound in Ilgauskas' head.
Page 2 of 2
When none of Ilgauskas' teammates retaliated in that game, or the one that followed a day later in Cleveland, the incident triggered league-wide speculation.
Former Cavaliers television analyst Matt Guokas, who holds a similar position with the Orlando Magic network, said on air that Ilgauskas was so upset at the lack of retaliation that he asked to be traded in the off-season.
Another report said that Ilgauskas met with team officials to voice his displeasure.
"I heard about what [Guokas] said," said Ilgauskas said. "None of that is true. I did not go to [General Manager] Danny [Ferry] asking to be traded.
"I see and talk to Danny all the time, but I never said I was mad at not being backed by my teammates. I love my teammates.
"I was mad that we lost both of those games [against the Pistons] and I was mad at the way I played."
Ilgauskas played better than most of his teammates in the two losses - getting 33 points and 24 rebounds.
Ilgauskas said he does not think there is a perception that the Cavaliers are a soft team. "I think we are doing a lot better job of contesting shots this year than we have in recent seasons," he said.
"There is a fine line in all this. You don't want to go out and pick up fouls that take you out of the game and end up hurting your team.
"You have to pick your spots."
Ilgauskas picked a spot on Sunday. Many at the soldout Q responded to it.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bgraeff@plaind.com, 216-999-4479
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter
The Cavaliers have gained a reputation among some NBA scouts as being a team that is soft in the middle - a team that does not do enough to confront opposing players driving to the basket.
Perhaps this is why one of the loudest ovations during Sunday's 96-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at The Q occurred late in the third quarter - when Lakers guard Smush Parker drove to the hoop and was clobbered by 7-3 Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
It was a clean, hard foul, one that critics say is not done enough. Parker, looking stunned at what his former teammate had done, picked himself up and made one of two free throws.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown liked what he saw. "I am not going to say that we should be going out to hurt anyone," he said, "but I know that as a head coach, we can do more of that.
"We can get better in that area."
In recent weeks, numerous opposing players - from burly power forwards to 175-pound point guards - have regularly treated the middle of the Cavaliers' defense as if it was a freeway to scoring.
It has become a rare sight to see anyone knocked off his feet.
"I agree that we have got to do more of this," Ilgauskas said. "LeBron [James] is getting hit all the time.
"You just can't go out and head-hunt, because you can't forget about playing basketball, but there are certain times in a game when you have to take a stand."
Ilgauskas was fouled as hard as any Cavalier when Detroit's Rasheed Wallace hammered him in a recent game at Auburn Hills, Mich. Five stitches were needed to close a wound in Ilgauskas' head.
Page 2 of 2
When none of Ilgauskas' teammates retaliated in that game, or the one that followed a day later in Cleveland, the incident triggered league-wide speculation.
Former Cavaliers television analyst Matt Guokas, who holds a similar position with the Orlando Magic network, said on air that Ilgauskas was so upset at the lack of retaliation that he asked to be traded in the off-season.
Another report said that Ilgauskas met with team officials to voice his displeasure.
"I heard about what [Guokas] said," said Ilgauskas said. "None of that is true. I did not go to [General Manager] Danny [Ferry] asking to be traded.
"I see and talk to Danny all the time, but I never said I was mad at not being backed by my teammates. I love my teammates.
"I was mad that we lost both of those games [against the Pistons] and I was mad at the way I played."
Ilgauskas played better than most of his teammates in the two losses - getting 33 points and 24 rebounds.
Ilgauskas said he does not think there is a perception that the Cavaliers are a soft team. "I think we are doing a lot better job of contesting shots this year than we have in recent seasons," he said.
"There is a fine line in all this. You don't want to go out and pick up fouls that take you out of the game and end up hurting your team.
"You have to pick your spots."
Ilgauskas picked a spot on Sunday. Many at the soldout Q responded to it.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
bgraeff@plaind.com, 216-999-4479
jjc58
Towel Waver
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Hey, but if LeBron gets Z's footspeed as well, all the tenacity in the world wouldn't keep him from sucking...
I think LeBron's in a tough place. He plays a ton of minutes...he openly dogs for small stretches. At the same time, I don't see LeBron enforcing. Nike won't let him. It's all branding... We just need a Tie Domi...
I think LeBron's in a tough place. He plays a ton of minutes...he openly dogs for small stretches. At the same time, I don't see LeBron enforcing. Nike won't let him. It's all branding... We just need a Tie Domi...
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Yep, if SLOW90 had a pair, this team would be so much better...
However, it would be nice for LeBron not to fantasize about taking long walks on the beach with the opposition. :thumbdown
LeBron needs to get tougher too.
However, it would be nice for LeBron not to fantasize about taking long walks on the beach with the opposition. :thumbdown
LeBron needs to get tougher too.
cdt
Winter Is Here
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I think like they said it will come with age. LeBron had to tightrope the whole way through highschool and be on his best behavior after the "hummer" and "jersey" incidents. So he was trying to be the "good guy".
I wouldn't mind LeBron getting T'd up a little more. Show this team you want to win, let the refs know it too. If Gerald Wallace tries making sportscenter tonight I want LeBron to drop him. I know Z will, he's pissed.
I wouldn't mind LeBron getting T'd up a little more. Show this team you want to win, let the refs know it too. If Gerald Wallace tries making sportscenter tonight I want LeBron to drop him. I know Z will, he's pissed.