
12-09-2008, 06:34 AM
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Capo Regime
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Join Date: Feb 2004
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Canton
Quote:
Ilgauskas can celebrate after years of frustration
Can set team rebounding record vs. Raptors
By Chris Beaven
CantonRep.com staff writer
Posted Dec 08, 2008 @ 09:58 PM
Last update Dec 08, 2008 @ 11:59 PM
INDEPENDENCE ?
Setting records never entered the mind of Zydrunas Ilgauskas a decade ago. The 7-foot-3 center just hoped to be healthy enough to prove himself as an NBA player.
Ilgauskas has gone on to do that and much more.
He takes the floor tonight poised to become the franchise?s career leader in rebounds. He needs four to pass Brad Daugherty when the Cavs (17-3) meet the Raptors (8-11) in a 7 p.m. game at Quicken Loans Arena.
?It?s going to mean a lot,? Ilgauskas said. ?Obviously, it?s not something that happens every day and for most players, it doesn?t happen at all. ... When it comes, you have to enjoy it because it?s been a lot of years, a lot of hard work ... a lot of frustration.?
After missing essentially four seasons within his first five years in the league, Ilgauskas has become a two-time All-Star. And this season, he has helped the Cavs to their best start ever, as they take an eight-game winning streak into tonight.
The guy who has played with Ilgauskas the longest couldn?t be happier for his big man.
?Knowing the history of what he?s gone through, the injuries and with the losing season after losing season early in his career,? All-Star LeBron James said, ?to be able to accomplish this in one of the best years he?s had as a professional athlete, it?s going to be great.?
James, too, could set a franchise record tonight. He needs one steal to pass Mark Price on that career list. But James hopes that happens another night.
He wants this night to belong to Ilgauskas, the only remaining player from when James arrived in 2003.
?He means a lot to me, honestly,? James said last week. ?When you go through the adversity like he went through, you can always look to a guy like that.?
Cont...
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