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Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
Ilgauskas isn't thinking
about retirement yet
INDEPENDENCE: At age 33, Zydrunas Ilgauskas says the offseasons feel like they are getting shorter and the regular seasons are getting longer.
Yet as he enters his 11th season with the Cavaliers and is within 81 games of tying Danny Ferry for the franchise record for games played, he's not thinking about retirement.
''Why shouldn't I keep playing?'' he said Monday at media day. ''I'm going to be able to do nothing for the rest of my life so I might as well do this.''
This is actually a contract year of sorts for Ilgauskas, who has an option in his deal to become a free agent at the end of this season.
Normally this would be a big topic of conversation for a former All-Star, especially a big man.
But Ilgauskas said he isn't even considering opting out for the moment and doesn't want to think about playing anywhere else. He is scheduled to make $10.8 million this season and $11.5 million next year if he chooses.
''I don't foresee myself going anywhere. Where am I going to go?'' Ilgauskas said. ''I grew up here basically. I want to retire as a Cavalier.''
VAREJAO FEELS HEAT — You would think this would've been an easier summer than last year for Anderson Varejao, when he was embroiled in a protracted contract holdout. Last summer, he was constantly in the headlines in America while working out in Brazil. But this summer, he got heat in the media in Brazil for working out in America.
In attempting to treat the serious ankle injury he suffered in January and a quad injury in the playoffs, Varejao opted to skip playing for the Brazilian national team over the summer. The team failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. Brazilian basketball legend and television commentator Oscar Schmidt ripped Varejao for the decision.
''It was really hard. Everybody wants to play in the Olympics and I am no different,'' Varejao said. ''The media in Brazil did not know what was going on and everybody started to assume I didn't want to play. Oscar Schmidt says something and everybody is going to believe what he says. The good thing is I took care of my ankle.''
Varejao's ankle still isn't 100 percent and he still has some swelling but a summer of treatment and rest has gotten him back into a condition he is comfortable with.
NO LOVE FROM RUSSIA — Delonte West, in camp with his new three-year contract, said the reports over the summer that he might join a new trend of players going to play in Europe took him off guard. One outlet reported he might have been headed to Russia.
''I don't know where that came from, that scared me to death,'' West said. ''I'm more of a Maryland, West Virginia, maybe Atlanta type of guy. I ain't going nowhere.''
His talks with the Cavs dragged on for more than three months but West said it wasn't all about money. He ended up signing for more than $9 million guaranteed and can make as much as $13 million if he stays all three seasons.
''You may think I am joking, but I'd play for free. I play for a reason not a season,'' West said. ''The first amount they threw out there, I couldn't believe it, that was, whew, more money than my whole family had seen if you add everybody's salaries up. I'm talking about 10 brothers and sisters. The holdout was about me getting a sense of the team wanting me to be here.''
— Brian Windhorst
Ilgauskas isn't thinking
about retirement yet
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:55 AM, 09/30/2008
When AV ended his holdout last year he started out playing the best basketball of his career until he hurt his ankle. We did not see the real AV the rest of the year. Based on the fact his ankle is still not 100% maybe the fans will give the guy a break. Expect to see AV have a monster year and be a huge part of this years team.
Posted 10:05 AM, 09/30/2008
"Expect to see AV have a monster year and be a huge part of this years team."
... and opt out of his contract at the end of this season to pursue FA money!
Barberton, OH
Posted 11:35 AM, 09/30/2008
If Hickson is for real, with him backing up a somewhat healthy Varejao? Scary...just scary.
Posted 11:47 PM, 09/30/2008
Please, Z. Retire. NOW.
