Can we do an official tribute for the big guy please (and can someone gag Joe Gabriele for me, or email him to correct his feature on Z... too many fuckin' errors)?
I'm going to try to make a tribute to Zydrunas Ilgauskas based off my memory:
1996:
The Cavaliers have finally gotten the injured Brad Daugherty off their contracts and salaries. Now is the perfect time to find that replacement. The size, the weight, everything. Wayne Embry, Mike Fratello have taken notice of a certain player in Kaunas, Lithuania due to an international scrimmage between a local team playing against Kentucky. The man is a strong one with super abilities. He averaged 20-10 in 1994-1995 before falling to injury. So, the Cavs first draft a Ukraine Train, then the next Arvydas Sabonis:
Zydrunas Ilgauskas!
1997:
A whole year passes since the team lost him. They go in a new direction. They draft young players. They afford to trade for a star. The star isn't perfect, but it's the beginning of a new era: The Z ERA! Zydrunas impresses people with his behind the back abilities, his post moves, and stroke. He's so good, that he wins the Rookie Game MVP award in New York in 1998.
I only see the end of it and the highlights afterwards. Later on, he faces the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs. They are outmatched with inexperience against a veteran ball club. Z faces Rik Smits, the looming 7 foot 4 threat. Z does well with 17 and 7. This marks the end of the season.
1998:
Z is so good, he is signed to an extension. There is promise, but then the NBA has the lockout. Doom is everywhere. Z has the money now to pay for his family, but now has no job for months. Z comes back to make an impact. But he gets injured once again on a foot injury that costs him virtually 2 seasons. This begins the decline of the former star of Kemp.
1999:
Still waiting to recover and give it another go. The team is waiting. They have him on contract.
2000:
Z comes back in limited time. He is great. He plays with passion. The team is 15-9, starting for him to heat up. But then the game against the Heat happens. He re-injures an old wound in the foot. It cracks. It breaks. And his heart falls to the floor. He has two choices: Walk away with his $60+ Million or try a radical procedure.
He chooses the latter. They break his feet and re-configure them. They are equipped with metal. Now the process begins. Pain. Pain. More pain.
2001:
Pain again. Wait, what is this? The pain stopped!!!! Z goes to the floor. He starts playing 20+ games into the season. They start small. He does well! He's moving! Hurray!!!!!!
2002:
The highest point of Z's career is the lowest point of the team's history (or second lowest, I lost count). So what happens? He becomes an all-star. Yes! But he puts "team" first. He cares. He's gotten to love the city for all the people he met with. And drunk with (you'll get yours, X).
Z makes the ultimate comeback.
2003:
Yes!! LeBron is coming. Now he has someone to play with at his level, instead of RICKY DAVIS of all people. Or DARIUS MILES (sorry Andre, you never had the chance to be his Mark Price for Brad Daugherty). The team is good. Better than before.
Z has a purpose.
2004:
Boozer leaves. But Z doesn't care. He's happy that he can win again. But he drinks too much one night. He pleads guilty to DUI... He gets suspended 5 games. But he comes back!!! HE'S AN ALL-STAR!!!! Yes! And then they turn to Dan Gilbert. Gund leaves. What will happen?
2005:
More playoffs for Z!!! He is still good. Ferry, his old friend, reaches out. He signs him for 5 years. It convinces Z he is wanted back. The team uses him well. At the same time, he develops hatred for Brendan Haywood and Rasheed Wallace. A pop in the forehead hurts like his legs used to. But he's tough.
Z is tough. They play further than before.
2006:
LeBron is back. Z keeps chugging. What's this? Something terrible happened. It's unexplainable. It shouldn't have happened. Z and his wife Jennifer are stunned. Saddened. The team gives Z time. He still comes back. He cares but so do they. They win. The
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! LeBron first finds someone to hug!
It's Z!!!! They have a quick exit, but they both felt that incredible feeling. They want more.
2007:
It's not so easy when Larry Hughes is your teammate and "all he wants to do is have some fun"... So they trade. Ben is in. Z has someone to play with that's smart. Able. Not like the dumb bum called Gooden who is really Mr. McBadden. They fight hard. But the Celtics were JUST a little better....
2008:
It's a great season of memories. But 2007 still lies in memory. Championship. So Z gives up post moves. He sticks to shooting. He's no longer who he once was. That's okay. He perseveres. They still get upset. He still can't fight Howard by himself...
2009:
Z plays half the season. He does well. He gives up more this year. He becomes the solid backup. Shaq is in. Z does even better. He is an all-time leader. One of the best Cleveland sports players, let alone Cavalier, ever.
Then.... the trade happens. It's depressing for all of Cleveland. Z in Washington, the worst irony. He waits. He waits. He waits some more. Z finally signs with Cleveland, chugging on to the point of the
NBA championship!!!!!!!!!
It was a rushed tribute, but I hope you guys like it.
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