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Ilgauskas has shot above 60 percent in last week
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: Coach Mike Brown couldn't have scripted it better for the Cavaliers last week.
Going into their toughest part of the young season thus far, they faced two sets of back-to-back games. Worse still, they alternated between home and on the road. Yet they managed to come out of the week with a 4-0 record and looking like a team on a path to challenge for an NBA championship.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas had an even better week. During those four games, he averaged 17 points per game and nine rebounds. What many thought would happen with the addition of Mo Williams and the presence of Delonte West from the beginning of camp and, of course, LeBron James, came to fruition during that span.
''He's getting more looks because now he has the opportunity to get more pick-and-pop shots, not just from LeBron but Delonte, Gib [Daniel Gibson] and Mo,'' Coach Mike Brown said. ''Our spacing has been real good, so when a guy drives a ball, he's the beneficiary of us having multiple ball handlers or multiple guys
penetrate, get into the teeth of that defense and find Z for good looks.''
Good looks might be an understatement. In the past four games, Ilgauskas is shooting at a better than 60 percent clip, with 32-of-50 from the field.
''I've been shooting the ball well, getting some good looks, really not forcing it, but the ball seems to find me at the right time,'' Ilgauskas said.
There are other reasons. The first goes back to having options. Before the arrival of Williams and before West showed Brown and his teammates his skills, the Cavaliers had two offensive options: James and Ilgauskas. Teams could focus on that tandem and effectively shut the Cavs down offensively.
Not anymore.
Brown now has an abundance of riches offensively, and for the first time since he arrived in Cleveland, teams actually must assemble comprehensive game plan to deal with James, Williams, West and, yes, Z.
The Cavs have a unique talent in Ilgauskas. He can go inside, but as fans know by now, Ilgauskas' strength is his outside shooting.
''He knows very seldom he's going to get that jump shot blocked,'' Brown said.
Ilgauskas said he's also benefited from the sets that teams have used against the Cavaliers, in most cases opting to play smaller, quicker lineups to push the ball up the court faster.
''They've not had a big guy on me and I was able to get an easier look, especially in the post. Against New York and Golden State, I was able to get some good looks around the basket and we took advantage of that,'' he said.
He remains pragmatic when it comes to his recent success.
''Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't,'' he said. ''So far, it's been going our way, but it's a long season.''
More hardware for LBJ
James won the eighth Eastern Conference Player of the Month Award in his career Monday. During November, James averaged 28.6 points per game on almost 50 percent shooting with 7.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He led the Cavaliers to a 13-2 record during the month.
The New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul won the Western Conference Player of the Month.
Quick shots
Season ticket holders received a treat Monday when players and members of the coaching staff participated in a customized version of Family Feud with them. . . . The Cavs are offering holiday ticket plans. Call 800-858-2287 for information.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read his blog at: http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs.
INDEPENDENCE: Coach Mike Brown couldn't have scripted it better for the Cavaliers last week.
Get the full article here.
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