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The most redundant award designation ever. They should just rename it to the "A.C. and Z Good Guy Award" when Z retires.
Well-deserved congrats to Z.
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Bob Finnan offers some reflections:
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Well-deserved congrats to Z.
Ilgauskas Receives Austin Carr Good Guy Award
CLEVELAND, OH - April 16th, 2009 - Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is the recipient of the fourth annual Austin Carr Good Guy Award, presented by the local chapter of the Pro Basketball Writers Association (PBWA).
The award, named after Cavaliers legend Austin Carr, is designed to recognize the Cavaliers player who is cooperative and understanding of the media, the community and the public. Carr, who played nine seasons with the Cavaliers, was the number one pick of the 1971 NBA Draft by Cleveland and was selected by 32 members of the media in Northeast Ohio to the Cavaliers’ All-Time Starting Five during the Cavaliers 30th anniversary season of 1999-2000. He is now the television analyst for FSN Ohio and the team’s Director of Community and Business Development.
Ilgauskas, a first-round draft choice of the Cavs in 1996 who overcame numerous foot injuries to become a two-time All-Star, has spent his entire career with the team. This season the Lithuanian became the team's all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots.
The award, which is presented annually, was voted upon by the local writers in Cleveland’s chapter of the Pro Basketball Writers Association.
Austin Carr Good Guy Award Recipient Winners:
2008-09 -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas
2007-08 – Damon Jones
2006-07 – Drew Gooden
2005-06 – Larry Hughes
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Bob Finnan offers some reflections:
Gentle Giant
Bob Finnan / News Herald blog
I've been around Zydrunas Ilgauskas since he was drafted in 1996. I wrote about him before that draft. Scouts were high on the 7-3 Lithuanian, especially after his performance against Kentucky in an exhibition game the year before.
When he arrived, he spoke broken English and could barely put sentences together. He came aboard with another European in that draft, Wright State forward/center Vitaly Potapenko, who had the luxury of playing two years in college before coming to the NBA. It was an absolute nightmare to interview the pair. :chuckles:
But along the way, Z has emerged as not only one of the best interviews on the team, but one that has a good sense of humor and a bit of sarcasm and wit.
I was honored to present him with the Austin Carr Good Guy Award before the game on Wednesday. At midcourt, nonetheless, with the PA announcer alerting the sold-out crowd what was taking place.
Z got a nice round of applause. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Seriously. He's one of my favorite Cavs in the 15 years I've covered the team.
I ran into him in the hallway after the game and he thanked me again. No, thank you, Z.
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