Showing posts with label Zydrunas Ilguaskas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zydrunas Ilguaskas. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
BFD
This video is getting quite a bit of attention lately, but not for the right reason. Everybody thinks that Biden was referring to some legislation that passed and was signed on Tuesday. The signing that Joe Biden was so excited about was that of me returning to the Cavs. See, I had been hanging out in Washington for the last couple weeks and I made a few friends. Who knew DC was so friendly to 7 foot Lithuanians? Among those new friends was none other than the pride of Scranton, PA.
That friendship had its benefits. I didn't have to spend my time at the local YMCA or some DC high school working on my game. I was in the White House every day balling it up with Joe and O (as they like to call each other) on the White House parquet floor. I was always on Joe's team because Obama had someone new playing on his team everyday; Brad Pitt, MJ, Bill Bradley, Barkley. But Joe and I were an unstoppable combo. We didn't lose a single game.
Thats why it is a big effing deal that I am returning to Cleveland.
When I got back to Cleveland and signed my new deal, LeBron whispered the same thing into my ear that Biden whispered to Obama. I'm glad he finally realizes it.
You know what I said back? Don't screw this up or I'm going to be playing in New York next year.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Mr. Big Z Goes To Washington
We figured since Big Z has been so gracious to us all season we should give him another opportunity to voice his thoughts to our readers, even though he is no longer with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Big Z, the floor is yours.
"I thought after this commercial that I was finally one of the guys and could start participating in the timeout photo shoots and the all-night poker parties at 'Bron's house. I also thought that being one of the guys meant I was going to get to finish out my contract with the only team I've ever known.
I guess I was wrong. But now I'm not sure what to do. My agent thinks I love Cleveland, my new team has no problem with me sightseeing all day, I'm still getting paid and The Commish is trying to keep me from being able to sign back with the Cavs (assuming I get released). I'm starting to think that this new gig isn't so bad. Why would I want to go back to the Mistake By The Lake? To Witness greatness? I know what thats all about. I'm witnessing greatness everyday as I make my way through the Smithsonian. I witness greatness on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Cleveland broke my heart when they sent me away...I'm not going to let them do it again.
Boston, Orlando...If you're listening...I am ready and willing to come teach you the handshake. Just let me finish the Air and Space Museum.
Z
P.S. You can only be Superman as long as you can fit into the tights. I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.
P.P.S. I know a lot of you have been getting some good laughs off my bald head being likened unto a Bullet, but just because I'm in Washington doesn't mean the Bullets are back."
Well there you have it....Big Z in his own words.
"I thought after this commercial that I was finally one of the guys and could start participating in the timeout photo shoots and the all-night poker parties at 'Bron's house. I also thought that being one of the guys meant I was going to get to finish out my contract with the only team I've ever known.
I guess I was wrong. But now I'm not sure what to do. My agent thinks I love Cleveland, my new team has no problem with me sightseeing all day, I'm still getting paid and The Commish is trying to keep me from being able to sign back with the Cavs (assuming I get released). I'm starting to think that this new gig isn't so bad. Why would I want to go back to the Mistake By The Lake? To Witness greatness? I know what thats all about. I'm witnessing greatness everyday as I make my way through the Smithsonian. I witness greatness on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Cleveland broke my heart when they sent me away...I'm not going to let them do it again.
Boston, Orlando...If you're listening...I am ready and willing to come teach you the handshake. Just let me finish the Air and Space Museum.
Z
P.S. You can only be Superman as long as you can fit into the tights. I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.
P.P.S. I know a lot of you have been getting some good laughs off my bald head being likened unto a Bullet, but just because I'm in Washington doesn't mean the Bullets are back."
Well there you have it....Big Z in his own words.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Big Z's Loyalty
Dear Cavs,
Before LeBron was even born I was playing for the Cavs. I was on the All-Rookie team, MVP of the Rookie Game and a two-time All Star. And lets not forget that I am the franchise leader in all time games played. I have been nothing but loyal to the Cavs my entire career.
But the straws may have finally broken my back. First, they deny me the chance to play for Lithuania in the Beijing Olympics. Next, they don't pass the memo on to my coach to make sure I get in the game to set the All Time Games Played record at home, in front of my fans.
Now, they are shopping me for "a big man who can stretch the floor with his shooting" and hope that I will get waived by the team they send me to, only to re-sign with the Cavs 30 days later in time for the Playoffs. I hate the thought of being traded from the franchise I have given everything to. Especially to some terrible team like the Wizards or the Warriors. Even more than the thought of being traded, I hate being traded for myself. How better could you describe me than "a big man with range"? I mean come on. If you want to trade someone with an expiring contract how about that out of shape back-up center you brought in during the off-season. Then you can have not one, but two big men with range and his overweight contract off the books as well.
I don't mean to tell you how to do your job, but for once I'd like a little thanks.
Big Z
Before LeBron was even born I was playing for the Cavs. I was on the All-Rookie team, MVP of the Rookie Game and a two-time All Star. And lets not forget that I am the franchise leader in all time games played. I have been nothing but loyal to the Cavs my entire career.
But the straws may have finally broken my back. First, they deny me the chance to play for Lithuania in the Beijing Olympics. Next, they don't pass the memo on to my coach to make sure I get in the game to set the All Time Games Played record at home, in front of my fans.
Now, they are shopping me for "a big man who can stretch the floor with his shooting" and hope that I will get waived by the team they send me to, only to re-sign with the Cavs 30 days later in time for the Playoffs. I hate the thought of being traded from the franchise I have given everything to. Especially to some terrible team like the Wizards or the Warriors. Even more than the thought of being traded, I hate being traded for myself. How better could you describe me than "a big man with range"? I mean come on. If you want to trade someone with an expiring contract how about that out of shape back-up center you brought in during the off-season. Then you can have not one, but two big men with range and his overweight contract off the books as well.
I don't mean to tell you how to do your job, but for once I'd like a little thanks.
Big Z
Friday, January 15, 2010
GAINES!!!
D Will goes down.
LeBron goes off.
Boozer fouls out.
Candance Parker's brother misses.
Korver hits from behind the glass.
Candance Parker's brother misses again.
Z misses one too.
And then:
Korver is covered.
Memo is too.
Ronnie Price (who has a well-documented love for shooting when the clock winds down) too.
Gaines hits the first 3-pointer of his NBA career.
GAINES HITS IT!
Incredible game.
The NBA. Where 10-Day Contracts Happen.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Big Z in New York
We just got to the team hotel here in New York about an hour ago. We have a shoot around soon but I really wanted to get a few thoughts out about coming to the World's Most Famous Arena.
It has unfortunately been lightly documented that my contract is up next summer and I will be joining the free agent class of 2010. I have decided to use this blog as a way to get my thoughts and feelings out there as I prepare to make one of the biggest decisions of my life. Some other forthcoming free agents are overly protective of their thoughts on where they would like to play but I will be decidedly less so. Since the New York Knicks are on my short list, this is a good chance to let them know how I feel.
When I went to check into my room there was apparently a mix up with room keys. LeBron ended up with the keys to my room and I the keys to his. After we got that figured out, I was hoping to have a nap and/or watch some PTI to see if they had anything to say about my only trip to New York this year. When I opened the door I found a lot more than just a bed and a jetted tub. The room was filled with all kinds of stuff. A 2009 Yankees Championship hat and jacket, a letter from Letterman asking me to come by in the morning and shoot a top 10, dinner reservations to Momofuku, an Unlimited Cab Goldcard (not sure what that is), and a giant teddy bear wearing an I HEART NEW YORK Shirt. I took a picture of me with the bear to send to my boys and I'm hoping there is a way to send it to them without having to carry it on the plane. They guys will kill me for that one.
As I was looking through all the stuff I heard a cell phone ring. I found it in the pocket of the Yankees jacket and decided I'd better answer it. It was a guy on the other line and I think it might have been a joke because he said his name was something Z. He seemed kind of surprised that I answered but I didn't think too much of it.
Anyway, it seems like New York has me on their short list too. I'll have to swing by Donnie Walsh's office after the shoot around to thank him for all this stuff. If he is trying to win me over, it sure is working.
Alright, I'm off for now. I can't wait to high five Spike and maybe get a minute to pitch an idea to him. I think Big Z Working Hard would be a great documentary. I mean, nobody realizes how hard it is for someone my size to go through life; shopping for clothes, getting on airplanes, walking through doorways. I hope he goes for it.
-Z
See Big Z's other posts here
It has unfortunately been lightly documented that my contract is up next summer and I will be joining the free agent class of 2010. I have decided to use this blog as a way to get my thoughts and feelings out there as I prepare to make one of the biggest decisions of my life. Some other forthcoming free agents are overly protective of their thoughts on where they would like to play but I will be decidedly less so. Since the New York Knicks are on my short list, this is a good chance to let them know how I feel.
When I went to check into my room there was apparently a mix up with room keys. LeBron ended up with the keys to my room and I the keys to his. After we got that figured out, I was hoping to have a nap and/or watch some PTI to see if they had anything to say about my only trip to New York this year. When I opened the door I found a lot more than just a bed and a jetted tub. The room was filled with all kinds of stuff. A 2009 Yankees Championship hat and jacket, a letter from Letterman asking me to come by in the morning and shoot a top 10, dinner reservations to Momofuku, an Unlimited Cab Goldcard (not sure what that is), and a giant teddy bear wearing an I HEART NEW YORK Shirt. I took a picture of me with the bear to send to my boys and I'm hoping there is a way to send it to them without having to carry it on the plane. They guys will kill me for that one.
As I was looking through all the stuff I heard a cell phone ring. I found it in the pocket of the Yankees jacket and decided I'd better answer it. It was a guy on the other line and I think it might have been a joke because he said his name was something Z. He seemed kind of surprised that I answered but I didn't think too much of it.
Anyway, it seems like New York has me on their short list too. I'll have to swing by Donnie Walsh's office after the shoot around to thank him for all this stuff. If he is trying to win me over, it sure is working.
Alright, I'm off for now. I can't wait to high five Spike and maybe get a minute to pitch an idea to him. I think Big Z Working Hard would be a great documentary. I mean, nobody realizes how hard it is for someone my size to go through life; shopping for clothes, getting on airplanes, walking through doorways. I hope he goes for it.
-Z
See Big Z's other posts here
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Guest Blogger: Zydrunas Ilguaskas
As part of our season-long 910 Conversation, we've enlisted a few guest bloggers to chime in when they feel moved to do so. Breaking the guest-blogging ice today is the Cavs' biggest (ok. tallest.) 2010 free agent, Zydrunas Ilguaskas. The floor is yours, Big Z.
Thank you, Spike. It's a pleasure to blog here. When ESPN declined to send a documentary crew to follow the exciting twists and turns of my pivotal year of impending free agency, I was sad. ESPN2 declining was also tough. But when Sport!!!Channel!!! from Lithuania declined? I hit rock bottom. Thank goodness for The Black Converse, giving this story a place to see the light of e-day it deserves.
Many have asked how The Big Z is coping with The Big Aristotle's arrival. I stick by my initial statement,
"I was just reading the news. That means I'll probably be coming off the bench."
I'm not going to get all Iversonian about it. Does it affect how I look at 2010? Yes. Do I still get paid the same amount? Yes. And, as anybody who knows the Z knows, it's all about the Benjamins.
Even as an all-star, I can accept a bench role when an all-time, Hall Of Fame player like Shaq is brought on. What is harder to stomach is:
the current technical free throw situation.
Of course, Lebron should shoot if he's on the floor. But, somebody else is currently 0-4 over 5 games. Now, if that somebody else were Shaq shooting and missing, as absurd as that scenario is, I could accept it. But my proficient free throw shooting ability is being overlooked for a guy named Boobie? BOOBIE? Who, make no mistake, has made fewer of these technical free throws than Shaq would...
In my next contract, there's gonna be a No Guys With Stupid Nicknames Get To Shoot The Technical Free Throws Over Me clause. I have my pride.
Also, Spike, no matter what you say, I do not look like this:
Spike note: Yes you do, Z. Yes you do.
Thank you, Spike. It's a pleasure to blog here. When ESPN declined to send a documentary crew to follow the exciting twists and turns of my pivotal year of impending free agency, I was sad. ESPN2 declining was also tough. But when Sport!!!Channel!!! from Lithuania declined? I hit rock bottom. Thank goodness for The Black Converse, giving this story a place to see the light of e-day it deserves.
Many have asked how The Big Z is coping with The Big Aristotle's arrival. I stick by my initial statement,
"I was just reading the news. That means I'll probably be coming off the bench."
I'm not going to get all Iversonian about it. Does it affect how I look at 2010? Yes. Do I still get paid the same amount? Yes. And, as anybody who knows the Z knows, it's all about the Benjamins.
Even as an all-star, I can accept a bench role when an all-time, Hall Of Fame player like Shaq is brought on. What is harder to stomach is:
the current technical free throw situation.
Of course, Lebron should shoot if he's on the floor. But, somebody else is currently 0-4 over 5 games. Now, if that somebody else were Shaq shooting and missing, as absurd as that scenario is, I could accept it. But my proficient free throw shooting ability is being overlooked for a guy named Boobie? BOOBIE? Who, make no mistake, has made fewer of these technical free throws than Shaq would...
In my next contract, there's gonna be a No Guys With Stupid Nicknames Get To Shoot The Technical Free Throws Over Me clause. I have my pride.
Also, Spike, no matter what you say, I do not look like this:
Spike note: Yes you do, Z. Yes you do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
