Cavs retiring Ilgauskas' jersey

Article @ Yahoo! NBA

The Cavaliers will retire Ilgauskas' No. 11 on March 8, raising it to the rafters in Quicken Loans Arena to honor their beloved former center who overcame major foot injuries early in his career to become one of Cleveland's best players.

''Zydrunas is not only one of the best basketball players to ever wear a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, he is also one of the finest human beings that has ever been associated with the franchise,'' Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said.

'''Z's numbers and productivity are clear evidence of his basketball success. What is more impressive about this gentle giant is the authentic concern and interest he displayed for not only his teammates, but for everybody who worked at the Cavaliers and for the loyal fans who supported him throughout and after his playing days.''

Ilgauskas' jersey will be retired when the Cavs host the New York Knicks. It's a fitting tribute to the popular Ilgauskas, who is known simply as ''Z'' to Cleveland fans. He played 12 seasons with the Cavaliers and was twice named an NBA All-Star.

Seems appropriate to me.

I assume they won't mention how he took his talents to South Beach to chase a ring.

I noticed even to this day, I couldn't spell his name right. Had to copy paste his name to search for his stats.

i love how he leaves to the heat like lebron does and no one hates him

Simply because he didn't announce his "decision" on a worldwide broadcast.

And Z probably wanted to get just one ring before he retires. Unlike the other guy.

Z also had a full page ad in a newspaper thanking the people of Cleveland when he took his talents to South Beach, unlike that douchebag who wore 23.

Bitches must bitch every where.

Anyway, I really liked & respected big Z. After Shaq, he is probably my favorite center. I don't like Dan Gilbert but I do have respect for this move of his.

Is this a "HATE Thread" for Bron?

It wasn't, until LeBron's name came up in a thread that had nothing to do with him.

It's weird how people bring up LeBron at every opportunity. It's like, bro, he's not even as good as Kobe, far fewer rings, All-Star teams, 80+ point games, what's the big deal? What's the appeal?

Speaking of which, Ilgauskas is nice and all, but he hardly compares to Kobe as a franchise centerpiece.

It's weird how people bring up LeBron at every opportunity. It's like, bro, he's not even as good as Kobe, far fewer rings, All-Star teams, 80+ point games, what's the big deal? What's the appeal?

Yes, do bring that up because they both have been playing for the same time, right? Oh no wait, LeBron has just only started.

Kobe won his first ring in his 4th season. By his 6th season he already had 3 rings.

Jordan won his first ring in his 7th season. By his 9th season he already had 3 rings.

LeBron won his first ring in his 9th season.

If anything LeBron's not getting 'started', he's already late.

Just take a look at the future of Kobe & Bron. Late, the end whatever.

It's weird how people bring up LeBron at every opportunity. It's like, bro, he's not even as good as Kobe, far fewer rings, All-Star teams, 80+ point games, what's the big deal? What's the appeal?

Yes, do bring that up because they both have been playing for the same time, right? Oh no wait, LeBron has just only started.

Bro, I totally think he was joking. But way to defend anyways bro, for real. Props

WTF??? This is not a Kobe-LeBron comparison thread people.

WTF??? This is not a Kobe-LeBron comparison thread people.

There's no comparison. 81 and the rings settled that forever.

There's no comparison. 81 and the rings settled that forever.

Yes, because LeBron will retire(maybe 2 seasons at best) very soon while Kobe will keep playing and add more rings to his collection.

So...Big Z. One has to admire how he persevered through so many foot injuries to put together a very respectable NBA career.

phpBB [video]

There's no comparison. 81 and the rings settled that forever.

wtf is you guys posting pics of that clown

big congrats to Big Z! one of the best C's ever.

a great center...

they had to honor him.

i was frustrated of lebron james first, but now i'm not. it's his decisions. but it's not the place to discuss lebron james. it says at title, "Cavs retiring Ilgauskas' jersey".