You Don’t Mess with the Zydrunas
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (photo. NBA)A few minutes before halftime of Cavs/Raptors, Zydrunas Ilgauskas chased down a defensive rebound, putting him alone atop the Cleveland record books for most rebounds all-time. As one of the Cavs’ announcers said after Mike Brown did the right thing and immediately called a 20-second timeout to allow the fans to give Z a standing O, Ilgauskas deserves a lot of love for all that he’s been through in his career, dealing with injuries, personal tragedy and years of quietly sticking it out with some truly awful Cavaliers teams. (He endured the entire Ricky Davis era.)
Throughout his career, Ilgauskas has consistently been one of the League’s better centers, averaging 14.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while making two All-Star appearances. We all know the man is about as slow and un-athletic as any player in the NBA, but he’s got that dependable mid-range J, he’s nice with his signature offensive rebound tip-in, and everyone who plays with him loves him as a teammate. Remember when the Cavs clinched their first NBA Finals trip in ‘07, LeBron ran right into Z’s arms and got him in a huge bear-hug.
Is Big Z one of the most underappreciated players in the NBA? Who else makes that list?
December 9th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
JCARR says:
Underappreciated is right… he shouldn’t be.
Big Z
Brad Miller
Eric Snow- truly unskilled but was in the league for a while
Joe Smith
December 9th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Tony says:
I’m a big fan of Z, it’s only fitting that he broke the record.
Other underappreciated players:
Brad Miller
Shane Battier
Occasionally Derek Fisher
Any other hustle players that play decent D not name Posey
December 9th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Jah says:
I f*cks with Big Z.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
kobeef says:
The All-Unappreciated Team
PG – Derek Fisher – you probably forgot he is the starting PG on the 2nd best team in the NBA
SG – John Salmons (19pts, 4reb, 4ast …and nobody knows he is in the league)
SF – Mike Miller (6′8 with a deadly outside shot and could be the starting PG on most teams)
PF – Nick Collison (NCAA Final 4 regular is a carbon copy of David Lee..and most don’t even know he is in the league)
C – Rasho Nesterovic – The Raptors were better with him than they are with Jermaine. Who knew.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Richard Wellner says:
He certainly is underappreciated. Maybe the most out of anyone else.
I love this guy, I really do. This guy has been with the Cavs since they were total garbage. He was an All-Star. He’s still playing at an incredible level at age 30-something. He’s one of the greatest centers of the 2000’s. He is a huge part of Lebron’s success in Cleaveland.
Who else makes the list? I would have to say Jason Terry. No on appreciates him, but he’s so good. What a spark he is to the Mavs off the bench, terrific role for him. He can go off for like 30 on any given night, and is much more consistent than some other spark-plugs around the league.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
dagwaller says:
I like Kobeef’s list. And much love for Big Z.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Richard Wellner says:
Kobeef’s list is GREAT, except for Rasho. Rasho just sucks, man.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Im not taking the Cavs seriously until they play GOOD teams.. And shit play good teams in consecutive games.. People are talking the cavs going for 70 but look at their schedule, in November they played only FOUR teams who are good but aint even THAT good.. New Orleans was the best team they faced in November and they lost that game..
I think they have had the easiest schedule of anybody so far.. And it dont look to get much harder.. This is comedy.. Im sure this is just coincidence too, seeing that Lebron is the NBA’s most marketable player..
David Stern.. When i call him a little prick i mean it to the fullest meaning of the word.. i wouldnt be surprised if the Cavs somehow become this powerhouse team in the Playoffs and GET EVERY SINGLE FOUL enroute to the finals.. We already had Boston vs LA..
What better to follow that up with Lebron vs Kobe..
December 9th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Oh yeah, Bigups Big Z!!
December 9th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
sans says:
When I was a kid, the Cavs drafted Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Vitaly Potapenko in the same draft. We’d be on the playground like “I’m gone back you down like Zuh–zuh–wait, how do you say his name again?” I love Zydrunas, and two steals and Bron takes over Mark Price’s record. I kind of wish Mark could have kept that one, he was real inspirational for a tiny ass white kid thinking that a three point shot, good passing skills, and grit will get you somewhere. Maybe the grit did work out for me….go Cavs and congrats Z.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
BlackJesus says:
Ummmmm, yeah….. yeah.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Gerard says:
Every team plays 82 games throughout the season…only weak teams make excuses about strength of schedule. That’s like complaining about not playing a team while their better players are injured. The good teams man up and go out with effort every night regardless of their opponent.
Zydrunas is definitely underrated, a pillar of stability. Derek Fisher will never be underrated to me, he’s a good player but I think he gets his recognition.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
LakeShow84 says:
U calling my team weak?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
LakeShow84 says:
I laugh because the NBA has proceeded to make Lebron and Co. seem so dominant but it is because of their schedule.. Try to read into that okay pumpkin..
You want me to say what i really feel?? i gives a shit about nothing but Shalacking Bostons ass into the ground and i dont appreciate the distraction that is Lebron.. The two best teams in basketball are in a 4-5 month race to tear each other apart and i have to hear about “king Lebron” and his great “Squad” who havent and dont have any grueling stretch as fars as playing top tier teams..
So stay out of my rants..
December 9th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
LakeShow84 says:
And Derek Fisher is a jacker.. if he didnt make most of those shots i would kill him lol
But i did miss him when he went to Golden State.. And seeing him in Utah was like seeing your uncle cross dress..
Brrrrhhhhh..
December 9th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
E$ says:
why don’t the CAVS play Herman Munster laugh when Z scores, I know I’m not the only one who sees that…
Don’t mess with Von Wafer! “Head up, security guards!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syLjbN1Rmp4
December 9th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Lady Luck says:
Glad that somebody finally showed some real love for Big Z. He is one of the most consistent players in the game. You can always count on his jump shot and his rebounding. He has been one of the better centers in the L for many years. He has overcome terrible injuries to his feet and played consistently healthy for all of Lebron’s tenure. I’m glad the Cavs have not traded him because he does his job every night. Even if he does move in slow motion.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:09 am
doc says:
Big Z about to get a chip so he will get his love.And they all play 82 Lakeshow so it will even out.But since u comparing teams played they did way better than yall against Boston.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:12 am
doc says:
@kobeef-I dont care if Salmons average 50 he aint shit,like his team.I dig your other selections though.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Gerard says:
Lol get out of here. You shouldn’t post here if you don’t want discussion on your thoughts…if you don’t like my opinion that’s fine, I’m just trying to offer some critiques of your ‘rant.’
Why wouldn’t you be happy about LeBron and co. getting attention? As it stands they are a legitimate threat to the Celtics for Eastern dominance, and your best chance at keeping the Celtics out of the Finals if your team does indeed get there. I understand the desire to take them out after they embarrassed your squad in the finals (ala Detroit), but I’d be happy to see anybody knock them off their high horse. And watching LeBron daily, he is the player best suited to do it.
Yes the Cavs are feasting on the weaker Eastern conference, but that does not mean that they are a lesser team for it. A good team is supposed to take care of business. The Hornets game was a good test for them, as that matchup always is, and they have come out of it stronger and more determined.
If you ask me, it’s the Lakers who have taken advantage of fortuitous scheduling; most of their games thus far have been at home where they are CLEARLY a better team than on the road (ex. Jazz, Utah). The season is 82 games, it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you finish. Look at the Spurs all these years.
It’s awfully difficult for your Lakers to engage in a direct competition with Boston because of the conference separation. This is the same thing that the ‘05 Pistons and the ‘06 & ‘07 Mavericks thought. They went full steam all season and stumbled when it mattered most, despite fighting for the best record throughout the regular season.
Bottom line, your team is doing well. That’s all that should really matter to you – how your team plays together. Boston is clicking as well, but so are the Cavs. To dismiss them because of their being placed in a weaker conference would be foolish. I made the mistake of doing that last year when I thought your Lakers would easily handle business and I was clearly wrong.
Lakers-Celtics is quickly turning into Yankees-Red Sox, where the rest of the nation is getting pretty tired of both squads. Stop being obnoxious and enjoy your team while they’re still playing well.
*shellacking
December 10th, 2008 at 3:58 am
josh tha roc says:
Love Z.
December 10th, 2008 at 4:19 am
K.i.n.G. says:
i know im gonna get heat for this but 36 year old shaquille o’neal is underappreciated…..there, i said it!
December 10th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Flying_Aussie_Dutchman_Pistonfan says:
@ kobeef
Great list. Derek Fisher tho hmm… He makes up for his underappreciated-ness by shooting a lot of shots. Thats not to say he doesn’t deserve his shots, but its the ones he takes.. Like with a person right up in his grill with 20sec on the shot clock and say, Bynum, open for miles right next to him.
Just sayin’
December 10th, 2008 at 5:02 am
MOVEZ says:
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December 10th, 2008 at 8:52 am
JBFC says:
I’m surprised to read this post today. Given Dime’s institutional bias against LeBron James, I had assumed there would be no mention of his teammate’s great achievement. Of course, Dime naturally ignores LeBron breaking the Cavaliers all-time steals record last night — but what would you expect from a biased institution?
December 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Chris says:
LakeShow84,
You may be right about the Cavs not having shown their strength against as many top teams yet, but they also haven’t lost to crappier or mediocre teams like Indiana (Boston & LA) and Sacramento (LA).
Last I checked on Hollinger’s rankings over at ESPN and TeamRankings.com, the Cavs strength of schedule in their games thus far is about the same as, but also slightly better than, both Boston and LA’s.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerranking
http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/rankings/?cat=team&pan=412
What do you have to say to that?
December 10th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Austin Burton says:
@JBFC — Mentioned in Smack and in another post during the game. Are you actually serious with the “institutional bias” thing? Honest answer.