Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavaliers record

[Jon]

Let's honor Z's accomplishment by sharing some of our favorite Z moments and memories.

There's a certain obvious answer that I'll leave out there as low-hanging fruit, because I'd like to mention the first time we went Z for 3 and it won us a game (or did it put it in to overtime?). I don't remember all the details, but I think it was against Phoenix, and up until that game we'd had the hardest time beating them.

(It's confirmed later in the thread that the game was against Phoenix, that it topped a tremendous come back, and that the shot put the game in to OT, where the Cavs put it away)

 

[Wrathe]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

Ya, we were down by like 20 in that game and fought back to win. I seem to recall it as him hitting the winning shot as well w/ a 3. Probably my favorite of his as well.

 

[jlj3184]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

When Z got a DNP-CD the night he was scheduled to break the record...Someone had to do it.

My actual favorite Z moment was seeing him and LBJ hug each other after we won the ECF.

 

[WeinerSoBig]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

My fondest memory of Z was during his rookie year back in 1996. Back then, the Flats were really hopping, and there was this great bar called The Basement. It was a Saturday night, and I’m at The Basement, and I look over and see Z and Vitaly Potapenko standing at the bar. Since they were both rookies, and since I had a few drinks, I couldn’t remember who was who. So I went up to Z and said, “How’s it going, Potapenko?” He looked at me and said, “He’s Potapenko, I’m Z”. So I apologized and welcomed them both to Cleveland. They both shook my hand and said it was nice to meet me. I remember Z as being a very humble and sincere person.

 

[sjeppe]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

My favorite Z moment is early is his career when he was alone on a fast break, and dribbled behind his back and put it in. It was great. I think someone here used to have that as a little video underneath their name. I found it, at 2:50 min mark..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwsmsEdda90

 

[-Akronite-]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

I loved watching him get the boards and blocks records for the Cavs. I really loved watching him play last season with his money jump-shot (please return, God). What I liked best was when he posted, attracted a double team, and lobbed it up for Bron. Z for 3 gets me out of my seat every time as well.

I pray that whatever happens he's in the wine and gold celebrating in June.

 

[SanduskyCav]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

My favorite Z moment was when he called out Dwight Howard for using steroids when he broke the shot clock on a dunk...here is the footage if you didn't catch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW_E4MhRmKM&feature=player_embedded

 

[Numbers Guy]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

Z looked pretty fly with a beard and a sorry excuse for hair.. I liked the beard alliance.

 

[Jon]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

My actual favorite Z moment was seeing him and LBJ hug each other after we won the ECF.

It didn't take long to find the low-hanging fruit, but you can't go there without the pic!

 

[Jon]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

My favorite Z moment is early is his career when he was alone on a fast break, and dribbled behind his back and put it in. It was great. I think someone here used to have that as a little video underneath their name. I found it, at 2:50 min mark..

That was great... he's also pulled off a 360 dunk starting from the 3pt line post-foot surgeries, and he's had some jaw dropping drives just in the past years. Wish I had links ...

 

[StoneColdLeBronSkywalker5]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

Definitely the three that beat Phoenix, in that awesome come back win. I always liked the tip drill, especially when he gets like 5 boards in one play. Or how he always starts fights, and I will miss his post moves.

 

[wuck]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

I'd like to mention the first time we went Z for 3 and it won us a game (or did it put it in to overtime?).

From the game report:

November 11, 2004

The biggest guy in the building hit all the big shots.

On his souvenir bobblehead night, Zydrunas Ilgauskas shook Gund Arena and the Phoenix Suns.

Cleveland's 7-3 center drained three long jumpers, including a tying three-pointer at the end of regulation, and the Cavaliers rallied for a 114-109 overtime win against Phoenix on Wednesday night, the Suns' first loss.

 

[Cleveland56]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

The 3 put the game in overtime. It was right in front of me, pretty sweet.

 

[wuck]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

Some other good moments:

 

[Snowblind]

Re: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - Game #724 - Cavalier's record

During the playoffs in 08 when Haywood stood over LBj and just stared at him. The first person over to help Lebron was Z and then a mini fight broke out and Big Ben and Z, were in the middle of it.