NJNJ Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/01/04/ilgauskas.feature/zydrunas.ilgauskas.jpg He is 34 years old now, in his 14th season in the NBA and his 12th season actually playing in the NBA, in a new role in Cleveland that could be seen coming and a new role in the league that no one could have envisioned. What an unlikely record holder. What an unexpected inspiration. "I think if I can do it, if I can come back, then anybody can," Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. "I'm not special." Except that he is. That Ilgauskas is playing, period, in 2009-10, is meaningful. That he is playing an important role anywhere, let alone for the 27-9 Cavaliers, is the stuff of Vegas long shots. His is a comeback story for all-time in the NBA and especially in this time, in the season when the careers of Greg Oden and Yao Ming pretty much ended. Just like the career of Ilgauskas pretty much ended a couple dozen times. Oden has the coincidental and unfortunate linkage to Sam Bowie and Bill Walton in the tradition of centers picked very high in the draft who gimped their way through frustrating Trail Blazers careers. Yao has the burden of an entire country (China) and a city (Houston) aching at every gloomy medical bulletin, but they also have Ilgauskas as the reminder that a happy ending is possible. "Big Z" is the walking, talking Get Well card, proof that there is a future after all. Ilgauskas and Yao talked a few times in the summer and met when the Cavaliers were in Houston last month. He'd be glad to speak with Oden, if Oden would like, with the same message that patience and sticking with the rehab even as the hours of long, tedious work pile high. CONTINUE READING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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