After watching the Lakers win the title, and observing the euphoria from the podium, I couldn't help but think what a moment like that would have meant for not just the Cavaliers, but Zydrunas Ilgauskas, in particular.
While everyone would've been discussing the impact of a title on LeBron's legacy, and running with that storyline, I would like to think that the team, in some way, shape, or form, would have taken that moment to recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and personal hell that big Z went through for the Cavaliers organization.
Barring extreme circumstances, Ilgauskas will never experience the joys of raising that trophy, or feeling the postgame confetti rain down on him. However, he carries something that is worth just as much. He will go down as one of the most beloved Cleveland athletes of all time, a man who spent his entire career with one team, and gave them everything he had.
In many ways, he has embodied the spirit of the city, with his "never say die" attitude. Everyone knows the story with him. Early in his career, he couldn't stay healthy. The foot injuries were derailing his ca ...
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Article written by Michael Hammons
Zydrunas Ilgauskas: What’s Next for Big Z?
June 19th, 2010 by Michael Hammons Leave a reply »
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