More minutes suiting Z just fine
BOB FINNAN, Morning Journal Writer
11/20/2007
INDEPENDENCE -- The Cavaliers are taking a voyage into unchartered waters.
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has never played more than 33.5 minutes a game in his 12-year NBA career.
He's currently playing 33.9 -- and with no proven backup in the front court available -- it could go up.
The cure for the problem is thousands of miles away in Brazil, as backup forward/center Anderson Varejao continues to balk at any contract the Cavs put before him.
As negotiations drag on, Ilgauskas' minutes -- and production -- goes up. He's averaging 16 points, a career-high 12.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. The 7-foot-2, 260-pounder is shooting 50 percent from the field (67-of-134) and 83.9 percent from the foul line (26-of-31).
Cavs coach Mike Brown said he'd like to keep Ilgauskas around 32 minutes per game. Ilgauskas doesn't think it's a recipe for disaster if he plays more.
''I take very good care of myself,'' he said. ''I'm not 20 any more. I'm 32. Coach gives me rest when he thinks I need it.
''I've been playing more than (32). He'd like to keep me as low as he can. It's hard to go full speed for 40-45 minutes.''
The Lithuanian native said he'd rather be on the court than sitting down.
''Any player is lying to you if he says he doesn't like playing more,'' Ilgauskas said.
The increased time has helped his numbers. He's leading the NBA in offensive rebounds (4.9) and is fourth in total rebounds. He has seven double-doubles in the first 10 games.
Still, Brown wants to keep a handle on his minutes.
''I feel like two years ago when I kept saying I wanted to get LeBron (James) down to 40 (minutes), and he was at 43,'' he said. ''I feel like I'm going the same thing with Z. Z is very important for me to control (his minutes) because of his age and his size.''
Cavs forward LeBron James has noticed range on Ilgauskas' jump shot has increased.
''I think Z is feeding off of guys double teaming me,'' he said. ''Right now he is shooting the outside shot at an unbelievable efficiency. You aren't going to block his shot.''
Brown is also impressed.
''With as much attention as LeBron is drawing now, it doesn't matter if Z is at 12 feet or 19 feet, that shot will go in eight out of 10 times if he has a clean look,'' he said. ''He's going to have a clean look most times since he's 7-2.
''He's rebounding his behind off. Defensively, he's in tune with what he's supposed to be doing, especially on the weak side of the floor. I'm happy with the way he's playing.''
Ilgauskas said he's normally a slow starter.
''For some reason, it's different this year,'' he said. ''Maybe it's more minutes. I'm a little lighter this year (255).''
Not only is he satisfied with the first 10 games, he's very happy to be 5-5 heading into tonight's game against Milwaukee.
''We've gone through one of the toughest stretches of the season that we're going to see with the injuries, West Coast trip and China,'' he said. ''It's been a rough stretch for us, probably toughest since I've been here.
''Five-and-five is not a bad place to be.''
Snow in forecast
Guard Eric Snow, who has yet to play in a game this year, said he'll make his season debut against the Bucks. He missed the entire preseason after have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
''I don't feel 100 percent, but I'm ready to go out there and do what I can do,'' the 34-year-old Snow said. ''If I can do it in practice, I can try to do it in a game.''
When asked if he would have any minute restrictions, he joked, ''I don't think that will come into play.''
Snow's return comes at a good time since Larry Hughes (bone bruise) will miss at least four weeks.
Yi's coming
Bucks rookie power forward Yi Jianlian, the No. 6 pick in the 2007 draft, has moved into the starting lineup. The 7-foot, 238-pound Chinese native is averaging 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. He's similar to Toronto's Andrea Bargnani, a 7-footer who likes to hang out on the perimeter.
''I haven't seen him play, just some highlights,'' Ilgauskas said. ''He looks very skilled. It looks like a nice pickup for them.''
Ilgauskas had many adjustments when he came to the U.S. in 1996.
''It takes at least the first season,'' he said. ''I think he speaks pretty good English. The culture is the first thing. It can be mentally draining.''
He's No. 1
For perhaps the first time in his career, Cavs forward LeBron James is leading the NBA in scoring at 29.2.
RFinnan@news-herald.com