After 14 years, seven coaches, five foot operations and one trade, Cavs fans should not be angry with Zydrunas Ilgauskas signing with the Miami Heat.
For 14 seasons, Zydrunas Ilgauskas gave body and soul to the Cleveland Cavaliers, which means there should be no hard feelings by fans following his signing with the Miami Heat, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After LeBron James signed with Miami, Cavs fans probably figured it couldn't get any worse.
Only it just did, as Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed a veteran's minimum contract of $2.8 million over two years to join James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach. Some fans may not like it, especially since the Cavs also offered Ilgauskas a chance to return, but he picked Miami.
But after 14 years, seven coaches, five foot operations and one trade, Ilgauskas has proven his worth to the Cavs. He knows that his career is on borrowed time, and he may have only one or two more years to play on a championship team.
With James bolting for Miami, that wasn't going to happen here. So don't fault Ilgauskas for heading south.
The 7-foot-3 center knows what is coming this season at Quicken Loans Arena, and it won't be adding any championship banners to the rafters. He has heard new coach Byron Scott was to run -- which is hardly the best style of play for a 35-year-old center who has battled foot and back problems in his career.
But most of all, it's the idea of rebuilding -- again.
Ilgauskas graciously gave up his starting spot to Shaquille O'Neal last season. He endured the embarrassment of former coach Mike Brown forgetting to put him in the game the night Ilgauskas was set to break the team record for career games played.
Then there was the February trade to Washington for Antwan Jamison. Rather than remain with the Wizards or sign with another team, Ilgauskas allowed his contract to be bought out. He waited the NBA-required 30 days to come back to the Cavs for a chance at a championship.
In the playoffs, Ilgauskas was the forgotten man. He appeared in only seven of 11 games, a grand total of 69 minutes. He had to wonder why he even bothered to come back, but he wanted to give Cleveland one more try.
Now, it's on to Miami, where James was recruiting him and the Heat have no center on the roster. He really is needed there.
And here?
It's always great to have Ilgauskas on the roster, but the Cavs must develop players. They need to get younger and he'd probably back up Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson, who are expected to play most of the minutes at center.
Despite the sizzling email by owner Dan Gilbert promising the Cavs would win a title before Miami, the Cavs will have to lose a lot of games in the next few seasons before they can hope to win big again.
Who can blame Ilgauskas for not wanting to wait it out, especially since he doesn't know how long he can play?
Ilgauskas never complained about anything with the Cavs. Former owner Gordon Gund and General Manager Wayne Embry always admired how Ilgauskas endured experimental foot surgery. He could have skipped one last – the fifth -- procedure and pocketed more than $40 million left on his contract.
"I've been a loyal soldier for 14 years, I just feel it's time for me to go and chase my dream of winning a ring," Ilgauskas told The Plain Dealer.
There should be no argument that he's earned it.