Z Speaks

[Glen Infante]

A couple days old, but still something a Cavs fan should read.

MIAMI - The big man slumped his shoulders, lowered his head and spoke in emotionally hushed tones.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been going through the roughest time in his life over the last two weeks, moments he revealed before his return to the Cavaliers on Sunday after being away for two weeks to deal with personal matters.

Ilgauskas said that after the Cavs hosted the Lakers on Feb. 11, his wife, Jennifer, went into premature labor, was taken to the emergency room and hospitalized. She delivered stillborn twins, a boy and a girl, three days later.

The event devastated Ilgauskas and his family, who had been eagerly awaiting the birth. Ilgauskas, who met Jennifer when he was a rookie in 1996 and married her in September 2004 in Hawaii, spent his time away from the team trying to heal.

``I just had to take some time for myself and for her, just to take care of things and be together,'' he said. ``I know it is a long process, but we are taking it one day at a time. Obviously, I've never been through anything like that before. It puts life in perspective.

``It has been tough. We just stayed with each other. Each person grieves differently. We just stayed home... and healed emotionally and for her, physically.''

Ilgauskas said he considered taking more time, but felt that returning to the Cavs after missing four games might help the process.

``I felt sooner or later I was going to have to play. I decided it was time to get back,'' he said. ``At least for a few hours, you can forget about it and enjoy basketball. I've done it all my life. I hope it will take some stuff off my mind. The team needs me, and I need these guys. I think it is important for me to be here.''

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/16785854.htm

 

[crazedcav333]

It seems like Z has it fiqured out and he knows how to deal with things in his life. He takes time for sorrow, and knows how to get back again.

Good for you man.

 

[Kypus]

I have friends and coworkers that have gone through miscarriages, and everyone deals with it in their own way. I personally think he did the right thing in taking some time off- playing basketball will seem therapeutic after something like that.

Thoughts and prayers still with you, big guy.

 

[Blind_Sniper]

Ya gotta love how he sucked it up. If it was Dick Verhmiel we mite have 2 major lakes in Ohio.....

 

[Karma]

He certainly have been a tough guy mentally. Obviously his recent misfortunes with his family are something we cannot relate to unless we have been through it personally, but he has shown throughout his Cavalier career to be a guy to work and play through hardships. If we could pass that on to the majority of this squad we'd be alot better off.