Cavs spoil Ilgauskas' history making

[Levenspiel]

Coach decided to go small, then Z did not want to play in the 2nd half as a pitty gesture.

I think this explains it.

I am not a follower of Cavs, but maybe he doesn't normally mind entering the game for the last or first 10 mins. Maybe in this case he didn't want it to look like a pity gesture, or he was simply offended for the reasons JGX mentioned above.

[robbe]

Just read about Big Z and had to check his gamelog. This game against Dallas was the only Cavaliers game all season that he didn't play in. In fact, he didn't even play single-digit minutes once, he was always in double-digit minutes. "Going small" looks a bit strange as an explanation to me, there are many teams that it would make sense against, why do it only once the whole season, especially when it coincides with the guy's milestone game?

Very strange behaviour ... on the other hand I don't see any reason why you would treat a seasoned and loyal veteran like that. Doesn't make sense any way you look at it.

Any theories?

[thadzonline]

Just saw an interview with Big Z after the Suns game, it's not even an issue with him. Brown mishandled it, but of course it got overblown. Coach decided to go small, then Z did not want to play in the 2nd half as a pitty gesture. It's all water under the bridge now, Z loves Cleveland..& Cleveland loves Z!

Anyone who wants to use this as another strike in euro 'mistreatment' just wants to get angry about something. Cleveland has honored Z several times on multiple occasions through the years, including stopping games just to release/unveil his new records to the arena.

cant blame fans who feel for him man..thats always part of the coach's job to get criticized for decisions. What's important is they move forward and not dwell on it

[Czarkazem13]

fuck you Mike Brown.

Who knew there were so many passionate Big Z fans in the Philippines.

Anywho, yeah you tell him.

[Chigusa]

Just saw an interview with Big Z after the Suns game, it's not even an issue with him. Brown mishandled it, but of course it got overblown. Coach decided to go small, then Z did not want to play in the 2nd half as a pitty gesture. It's all water under the bridge now, Z loves Cleveland..& Cleveland loves Z!

Anyone who wants to use this as another strike in euro 'mistreatment' just wants to get angry about something. Cleveland has honored Z several times on multiple occasions through the years, including stopping games just to release/unveil his new records to the arena.

[GilG]

fuck you Mike Brown.

[Czarkazem13]

God forbid someone else than Lebron gets a piece of the fame pie in Cleveland arena. Especially is he is not an American superstar.

Pitiful behaviour towards a club legend. but expected considering all they have done to him conserning Lithuania NT.

Well I didn't see the game and don't know everything behind the scenes, but why do Europeans on this site seem to always claim xenophobia when they feel a Euro (or foreigner in general) doesn't get the credit/PT they feel that the player should get?

With that said, I do feel for Big Z.

[rocketstar47]

great man!!!

[thadzonline]

I feel for Z, he's such a nice fellow

[stuart]

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2009/11/mike_browns_mishandling_of_zs.html

Mike Brown's mishandling of Z's 'record night' a rare misstep for Cavaliers coach By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dear Mike Brown, You blew it.

That's all I can say about your decision not to play Zydrunas Ilgauskas for a single second in the Cavaliers' 111-95 victory over Dallas at Quicken Loans Arena Saturday night.

You had to know Ilgauskas would set the all-time franchise record for games played the next moment he steps on the court.

You also should have been aware that your 7-3 center told reporters a few days before the game that the record "is more valuable than the rebounds and blocked shots (which he also holds). ... With everything that I went through, to know that I put on a uniform more than anyone else in the 40 years [with the Cavs] is pretty good."

If you missed that story, someone on your staff should have told you about it. You know Ilgauskas is one of the finest men in the NBA. He rarely complains about anything. He has been here 723 games over 11 years with seven different coaches through five major foot operations.

Mike Brown's decision not to play Zydrunas Ilgauskas on Saturday was all the more surprising because of Z's frequently stated fondness for the franchise and what becoming the franchise leader in games played means to him.

When you traded for Shaquille O'Neal, he didn't complain about going to the bench as a reserve for the first time in his career. He understood O'Neal could mean a championship.

But when O'Neal was hurt recently, Ilgauskas started at center and the Cavs were 5-1. In those six games, Ilgauskas averaged 8.8 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 43 percent in 28 minutes a game.

Solid numbers.

He has struggled off the bench this season, shooting only 38 percent overall, but he still can help you. It's impossible to name any team in the NBA where Ilgauskas would not receive at least some playing time each game. Big men with his skills (even at 34) are rare.

You should not be surprised that LeBron James was upset when you benched Ilgauskas. Yes, the small, quick lineup was effective in the Dallas game. But Mike, you had leads of 35-26 at the end of the first quarter. And 68-55 at the half.

Sources told The Plain Dealer Ilgauskas was so upset about not playing in the first half that he asked to sit out the second half. Probably not a good move by him, but Mike, you started this.

You got caught up in the flow of the game and how your little lineup was performing. But even when the massive O'Neal played, your team outscored Dallas by five points in his 25 minutes.

You certainly could have found some time in the first half for Ilgauskas.

Mike, you are one of the best coaches when it comes to dealing with the feelings and egos of your players. This is your fifth season with the Cavs, and rarely is there any controversy between you and the players.

That doesn't happen by accident. You usually are smart about these matters.

So you should not be surprised that there is fallout from Ilgauskas receiving the first DNP-CD (Did Not Play, Coach's Decision) of his career. Or that your big man would be hurt, especially since this was not a matter of him being disciplined. It was just your call.

Nor should it have been a shock when James stepped up to defend his teammate. Other than his buddies from St. Vincent-St. Mary, no teammate has meant more to James than Ilgauskas.

After Monday's practice, you said: "[Sitting Ilgauskas] wasn't planned. Even as the course of the game went on, I didn't expect to not play him. You can call it a mistake, you can call it a coaching decision."

I call it both a mistake and a bad coaching decision -- and I suggest you say the same to Ilgauskas when you meet privately.

This is not a crisis, it's not something that divides a team or alienates them from the coaches. But it is a distraction, one that you created and also could have easily avoided.

[Straight forward]

Why are you so surprised?

[robbe]

Agree with JGX.

But communication can make life a lot easier. Obviously not playing a single minute in this potential milestone game came as a complete surprise for Big Z. Brown should have prevented that.

[JGX]

Can't really complain about the coach's playing time decisions when the team wins big. Would it not have been a little insulting to put him in for a few minutes at the end just so he could set the record? Not like he's retiring tomorrow.

[Dtown]

So, from 24 minutes per game this season to DNP? On a 16 point victory? Give me a break.

I defended them not letting him play for Lithuania, because even the most hardcore Lithuanian fan can see his long history of injuries, but I said them not letting him setting the record for most games played was cruel and senseless. Reading comprehension man.

[Straight forward]

While this was suspect, and rather cruel if family were indeed in attendance. I've never faulted the Cavs stance on Ilgauskas and Lithuania, the man is far too injury prone for the money they're paying him.

Yes, he was sitting on the Cavs bench for 2 or 3 years, but to be honest (from what I seen) they never used him properly. With his body and abilities he could have been why more important for Cavs, specially at his best years in NBA. Very disappointing case Ilgauskas is. We never even had a chance to see how is he doing in one team with high quality PG. And yes, It's still very pity that the most talented Lithuanian player of the decade have never played for his NT.