For analysis of the Jamison trade, scroll down or click here.
Once there was a Z….
And he was drafted by a crappy team.
And every day the team would come
and he would score them baskets in the post
and find his teammates with sharp passes
and they would run the offense through him
and ask him to win games
and even after his feet were hurt
he came back
and he made the All-Star game.
And the team loved the Z
very much.
And the Z was happy.
But time went by.
And the team grew stronger.
And the Z was often not featured in its offensive game-plan.
Then one day the team came to the Z
and the Z said, “Come, team, feed me in the post and let me drain turnarounds and hook shots and benefit from my passing and rebounding and be happy.”
“We are too good to feed you in the post” said the team.
“We have a new player.
We need you to run the pick-and-roll and the fast-break and hit threes.
We want to build our offense around him and win games.”
“I’m sorry,” said the Z, “but I cannot explode to the basket or hit threes.
Take my 18-foot jumper, my passing out of the high post, and my rebounding.
Use me to defend the rim.
Then you will have a good team and be happy.”
And so the team put Z off the ball
and became an Eastern Conference contender
and won 66 games
and even went to the Finals once.
And the Z was happy.
But time went by.
And the team grew stronger.
And the Z was often outmatched when trying to defend Dwight Howard.
Then one day the team came to the Z
and the Z shook with joy
and he said, “Come, team, feed me in the post and set me up with mid-range jumpers and be happy.”
“We are too talented to feed you in the post and set you up with mid-range jumpers,” said the team.
“We have a new center,” they said.
“He is one of the best of all time,
and so we need a backup center.
Can you be a backup center?”
“I am not a backup center,” said the Z.
“I have started my whole career,
but you can take my minutes
and use my shooting next to Anderson Varejao
to create an effective forward tandem off the bench
and use my size against the Lakers and then you will be happy.”
And so the team used the Z off the bench
and saw his field goal percentage fall
but have the league’s best record at the All-Star break.
And the Z was happy.
But the team did not need him for a long time
and when they came back
the Z was so happy he could hardly speak.
“Come, team,” he whispered,
“use me to space the floor offensively.”
“We are too talented and deep to use you to space the floor,” said the team.
“We want a stretch four that could give our team its first championship. Can you be that stretch four?”
“Use my large expiring contract and trade for Antawn Jamison,” said the Z.
“Then you can have an effective frontcourt partner for Shaq…and be happy.”
And so the team used the Z’s expiring contract as a trade chip and added Antawn Jamison and made a run at the NBA Championship.
And the Z was happy…
But not really.
And after a league-mandated 30-day waiting period,
the team came back again.
“I am sorry, team,”
said the Z, “but I have little left to give you.”
“I have little lateral movement left, and have had trouble finding the net on my jump shots.”
“I wish that I could give you something…
but I have little left.
I am just an old 7-3 center capable of drawing opposing bigs outside the paint.
I am sorry…”
“We don’t need very much now,” said the team.
“Just a veteran to help team chemistry, help match up against bigger teams, and stretch the floor when Varejao or Jamison plays.
We are very talented.”
“Well,” said the Z, straightening himself up as much as he could, “an old center who is universally beloved is good for keeping the team happy and helping them match up against some tough playoff teams.
Come, team, sign me and sit me down on the bench and use me when you need me.”
And the team did.
And the Z was happy.
P.S. #1: Some basketball analysis has been tweaked to fit the poem.
P.S. #2: I really hope that last part comes true. In the grand scheme of things, I realize there are people more deserving of sympathy than a professional athlete making millions of dollars and possibly about to be bought out and receive another contract.
But Big Z’s devotion to this franchise and all he’s done for the team is one of the reasons we watch sports. In the silly world of sports that we spend so much of our time worrying about, Big Z not returning to the team he’s done so much for as they try to win their first championship would be a true tragedy. I know basketball’s a business, but that first banner wouldn’t feel quite right without Z. I’m not usually one for sentiment, but I’ll miss big Z, even if it’s just for 30 days.
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I don’t know what more I can add…excellent writing. The fact that this has twice as many comments as the Jamison post below it is a testament to how much we love Big Z.
Z is the man. What a true statement to this city all he’s done!
Look, I know I seem cold about the move, but I certainly hope Z makes it back to Cleveland. However, I’m not going to be crushed if he doesn’t, because just about everyone here wanted to make a trade knowing that Zs contract was going to be the center of any deal. We can’t act surprised and be angry if it doesn’t work out, because we were all asking for it to begin with.
Ty Krolik for pointing out there are more serious places to place one’s pity than with an NBA player. If he never wins a title he has lived a better life than 99% of the rest of the world will live. He’ll be ok.
That said, I still want Z back for the same sentimental reasons everyone else does.
Great write! Z has been a strength for Cleveland long before James, Shaq and Ant. Resign and the cavs will win the NBA. Without, just another wantabe!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope he comes back!
In all sincerity, this deserves a Pulitzer. There could not be a more perfect analogy than ‘the giving tree.’ Great writing, John.
And it’s good to know I’m not the only one who felt uneasy about this trade… even if it does make the team better, and even if we do get Z back in 30 days. We’ve seen too many of our best players traded away in this town, even if this one has a happy ending (and there’s no reason to think it won’t), it kinda leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
I’m glad to see in all the other comments that Cavs fans respect and appreciate all that Z has done for this franchise. Cleveland fans are about loyalty above all… something fans in NY or LA would never understand.
Wow. Really a fantastic piece. Like you, I am not one to mix sentiment with sport. That being said, it will not be the same so long as Z is not in a Cavaliers uniform. I hope they re-sign him. Then I hope they give him a front office job. I want this guy to be associated with this team as long as he’s willing to do it.
Windy’s reporting that the Wiz might be involved in a three way trade with Utah and Miami (looks like for Boozer) and that it’s possible Z could be traded again. Not sure how that would affect a buyout, but the Wiz would be a sure bet to buy Z out so I’m crossing my fingers that Z’s still with the Wiz at the trade deadline …
Z can still be bought out. It’s all business and neither the Heat nor Jazz are going to be trading for Z based on his skills. It’s all because of his cap relief which means the same situation..buying him out saves that team even more money.
ZZZZZZZZZZ! CLEVELAND WANTS YOU BACK HOME…..YOU ARE WHAT THE CAVS ARE ALL ABOUT. CLASSIEST INDIVIDUAL OF ‘EM ALL! HE LOVES C-TOWN…THAT’S MORE THAN YOU CAN SAY ABOUT LEBRON…HE’LL BE GONE AFTER THIS SEASON. SO WHAT! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
ZZZZZ!! see you in 30 days you tall goofy bastard;)
Wow man. I am a die hard Lakers fan and this one made me a little choked up. Love that book.
Big Z has been my man since I’ve followed basket ball. The mixture of “The Giving Tree” and basically how the entire city of Cleveland feels towards Z makes this post a work of art, as far as blogging goes. I hope we do get Z back. Earning a title without OUR signature big just won’t feel the same.
My favorite childhood book + my favorite basketball player of all time= me in tears
Excellent column! I’ve been following the Cavs for over 20 years now. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is an all time Cavalier. He helped bridge the gap between the glory days of old with Nance, Price, Ehlo and Daugherty to the championship team we have now. While I realize NBA is a business first, it will be very sad do see Big Z in another uniform. I sincerely hope that he ends up a Cavalier with and NBA championship.
I have a friend that knew a guy who used to live next to Z in the bad old days. Z was out with an injury at the time and his neighbor came up to him and asked him for an autograph for my friend. He said Z cracked a huge smile and looked like the happiest guy in the world right then. He said Z was feeling pretty down because he was hurt, and just one person caring enough to want his autograph meant a lot to him.
That’s the kind of guy I think he is. He deserves to be there hoisting the trophy as much as anyone. Yes, it’s a business, but I’m not going to feel bad for wanting Z back to win it all.
Great piece man… I believe you wrote that you go to war with Z, in previous years, and there’s not a better way to describe him.
I hope he comes back… doubtful he suits up for another team.
Jamison, though, is another player you go to war with, that I do think Z can be comfortable with the fact that it’s Jamison that is his temporary fill-in. I hope he can live up to his name and reputation.
This is the kind of piece that you finish reading and are just impacted.
I feel like I just watched the last scene of Forrest Gump all over again.
Just absolutely a beautiful comparison.
As they say in the Olympics – you nailed it! Z deserves the ring and if the team can’t do it, he at least needs to be able to end his career here. The Cavs need to show loyalty to Z – let’s not be the franchise version of Boozer. Z’s number should be hanging from the rafters well before the other guy’s. If Austin is Mr. Cavalier, then Z is Mr. Cavalier #2.
Cleveland has the best fans…big hearts! everyone has nothing but great things to say about Z…..it’s nice to read positive comments about the classiest man ever to wear a Cavs uniform.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Come-Home-to-Cleveland-Z/315675579511 join the movement to let Z know we want him back in Cleveland!!
I have to admit this made me tear up a bit. I really hope they can get him back. Of all the people deserving of holding the trophy up its Big Z. Hopefully the Wizards do the right thing and buy him out.
Can’t be repeated enough – great work as usual Krolik. If you were at school somewhere in Ohio instead of Cali, that would be a guaranteed A.
I know what you are getting at but that was gay as hell and Z isn’t that much of a pansy. Oh and you suck
TO WHAMMER:
Thanks for the unnecessary cheap shot.
Love,
A NY fan who knows nothing about loyalty
PS I’m sure I’ll be loyal to LeBron when you’re slitting your wrists next year
TO JOHN KROLICK:
Absolutely awesome piece. Congratulations. As a basketball fan for the past three decades, I respected the Daugherty/Price era Cavs, cringe every time I see Jordan hit that shot over Craig Ehlo, and really, really, really like Z for reasons I’ve never quite understood. I hope he gets to come back to your team, whether you win or not–but especially if you do.
Wow I guess i’m the only person that sees what a douche he makes Z to be. But that is supposed to be flattering? You guys are easily amused.
OK Paul, I will bite…
This is some of the best writing I’ve have ever come across, and Krolic is a stud. It’s a fact. The piece John wrote about Z was to immortalize him, and to give Z a fitting tribute. The Giving Z was modeled after a great American poem, and has roots deep in our values as a society. But more to your topic. This does NOT make Z look bad. To you, maybe. But to the rest of the public and Cavs fans, it shows the emotion the we have attached to Z (and shared by Lebron and evident by the Conference finals hug). The only Douche here is you my friend.
Also, Z was paid around a 100 million dollars! I mean he was FULLY compensated for his time here. Z stuck with us, AND we stuck with him and Paid him very well for his decision. Everything up to this point has been fair and honest (except Mike Browns gaffe with respect to Z’s games played record). The Fans love Z, the Team loves Z, and he has a way to return if he would like to. And he would be paid an additional mid level expection on top of the 30 day vacation he gets to have with his twin children. This is a win, win situation with a wink, wink in between. There maybe some tension with Danny Ferry, but Z knows his legacy is on the line, and his best shot at a title as well. Z has his own puppet commercial for crying out load. If there is an act two, he needs to come back. That would be my motivation. Once you have you own puppet in your likeness, then you can book your spot book of basketball awesomeness. Trust me this is a good book.
Guys, you just have to ignore the trolls. When you respond to them it gives them even more reason to troll.
I loved the Giving Z… I sure hope he comes back. He has put in his time and deserves that Ring! “Z …. You belong with your CavZ!!!!
Growing up Z was my idol. Now I want him to come back so they can give him his much deserved ring!
Thank you so so much for this beautiful piece of writing. It was a truly amazing thing to read. I’m only 21 years old so ever since I was a little boy watching the Cavs, Z has been our team. I really hope we get him back too, but if we do or if we don’t, one thing is for certain, he will join an elite fraternity of Bernie Kosar, Jim Brown, and Omar Vizquel (just to name a few) of athletes that this city will always remember and cherish. We all love you here Z!
Great story. The truly committed relationship between the Cavaliers and Z is amazingly unique, especially in today’s “business” sports climate. It’s so refreshing to see a team and player who have each other’s honest respect, the way we fans all wish it were with every other athlete. Thanks for the memories Z! We love you!
It would be a tragedy if Z doesn’t come back. I still think the CAVZ need him and his ASSETS. It will be a tough month without him and an ever tougher month if Z couldn’t or wouldn’t come back.
Hope u will come back Z!!