Cavaliers’ management did the right thing in reaching an agreement with center Zydrunas Ilgauskas for the next five years. That move coupled with the signing of free agent guard Larry Hughes last week, gives the Cavs a big three on offense, and makes power forward Drew Gooden a complementary player.
Everyone in Cleveland can tell you what Ilgauskas cannot do: He’s not quick, not a great defensive player, not a good passer, but the fact is he is one of the best centers in the NBA. He averages 17 points per game, and more than 8 rebounds a contest as well. He also forces the opposition to double team him when he gets the ball in the post. Ask LeBron James how important that is.
Z is never going to be Bill Russell offensively, but if your point guard doesn’t carry a red cape on defense (Jeff McInnis), he does an acceptable job. Remember, these fans were the same people belittling Brad Daugherty’s contribution to the team in the 90’s. But when Daugherty’s back went bad, it sent the team reeling into a situation that didn’t right itself until James was drafted.
Getting Hughes improves the Cavs on both ends of the floor. He is not a one dimensional shooter who cannot do anything else. He can pass, he can rebound, and he was a 1st Team All Defensive Player. In basketball coach speak, he is a player. Having two guys like Hughes and James who have multiple hoop skills is better than adding a shooter who can’t play D (Michael Redd) or is on the wrong side of his career (Ray Allen).
GM Danny Ferry’s next move must be to find a point guard because the team can’t expect Eric Snow to play 30 minutes per game. Getting that position filled, along with finding a good back up big man, could get the Cavs into the post season for the first time since Shawn Kemp wore the horrible periwinkle blue and black jerseys the team wore before going back to the Wine and Gold before the 2003-04 season.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 