Ilgauskas calls it a career

[kibaxx7]

A succession of foot surgeries nearly brought a premature end to Zydrunas Ilgauskas' basketball career. On Friday, he announced his departure from the game on his own terms.

Ilgauskas was on the brink of forced retirement 11 years ago after five foot surgeries had mentally drained him. But he vowed to give it one more chance after a radical reconstructive surgery. As a result, he was able to reach two NBA Finals and two All-Star Games and retire after 13 seasons.

He announced his decision Friday at an event in Cleveland, where he played the majority of his career.

Ilgauskas played 72 games, 51 of them starts, and averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds last season for the Miami Heat after playing his first 12 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In June, Ilgauskas picked up an option in his contract for next season to leave open the possibility of returning. But after going through the summer, Ilgauskas decided he was done.

"Enough is enough," Ilgauskas told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "My body is beat up and I'm tired physically. There is no age limit, but everyone knows when it's time."

[deihatein]

Was a class act all the way.

[puddnheadwilson]

NOOOOO!!!! NOT Z!!!!

[Mavs4Life]

so generous he announced it in Cleveland, showing respect to his true home. You'll be missed Big Z. How many centers are we gonna lose this season?

[The X]

There are a few good centres in Europe, including Aussie Aleks Maric. Don't know how he didn't get drafted after being great in Big 12 for Nebraska.

[Andrew]

It's good that he was able to go out on his own terms given how close he's been to being forced to give it up in the past. He's had a very respectable career despite all the foot problems and as dei. said, been a class act. Good luck to him in the future.

[Murat]

And that, was a career. 12 years in Ohio.

[shadowgrin]

Ilgauskas said the season -- in which he and the Heat withstood intense scrutiny from the media and fans -- took a toll. Ilgauskas was particularly hurt when he was booed and heckled in Cleveland, where he had been one of the most popular players in franchise history.

Normally, I'd say that Ilgauskas was a pussy if he felt hurt with something like that but it just shows you how he really loved Cleveland.

[benji]

It had to hurt, it wasn't like LeBron, he was clearly on the way out, he took a back seat to Shaq to win the year before, and he went with a teammate to win. And the fans couldn't process that and be happy for him alone.

Ilgauskas was one of the best centers of his era and he really had no chance to win without LeBron. He was however smart enough to stick with LeBron and that's what made Cleveland hate him.

I do think that within any other situation that Cleveland probably would have honored him coming back, but alongside LeBron, no chance.

[NovU]

It's too bad he had to retire this way without a ring. Despite him starting at C more than half the season, he was hardly used in the playoffs. Perhaps his body wasn't up to the challenge. Props to his great career anyways.

[koberulz]

It had to hurt, it wasn't like LeBron, he was clearly on the way out, he took a back seat to Shaq to win the year before, and he went with a teammate to win. And the fans couldn't process that and be happy for him alone.

Ilgauskas was one of the best centers of his era and he really had no chance to win without LeBron. He was however smart enough to stick with LeBron and that's what made Cleveland hate him.

I do think that within any other situation that Cleveland probably would have honored him coming back, but alongside LeBron, no chance.

I was sure he got cheered when he was introduced before the Heat's first game in Cleveland. Though the crowd may have turned on him after that.

[Houndy]

We need to more players like Z, soft spoken and preforms.

[jettdaking!]

Z was a great player. played in the All-Star game but still didn't act like an asshole afterwards