Z jumps ship and rejoins ex-teammate LeBron James with the Miami Heat. Can you still support him?
View full sizeLeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas will be teammates again ... with the Miami Heat.Cleveland, Ohio -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who has been with the Cavs for 14 years, is joining his ex-teammate, LeBron James, on the Miami Heat. Z, as he's known, will accept the veteran's minimum of $1.3 million a year and give himself one more shot at an NBA title.
Brian Windhorst, the Cavs' beat writer for The Plain Dealer, broke the story today.
The Cavs offered Ilgauskas a guaranteed contract, but he elected to go to Miami, where his wife Jennifer has family, and attempt to win a championship with the re-stocked Heat.
"It was a hard decision for him," said Herb Rudoy, Ilgauskas" longtime agent. "He has 14 years invested in the Cavs and he wants to win a championship. He's going where he has the best chance to win a championship."
Ilgauskas is the Cavs franchise's all-time leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904) and blocks (1,269) and is second in points (10,616). He made All-Star appearances in 2003 and 2005 after recovering from reconstructive surgery on his foot.
Early fan reaction has been mostly supportive of Ilgauskas, perhaps a testament to his loyalty and perserverance over the years. But Starting Blocks really wants the definitive answer to the question: Is this right? Answer the poll for us, but be sure to take advantage of the comments section as well and explain your vote.