Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Big Z put together another solid season last year, averaging 12.9 points, 7.5 boards and 1.3 blocks in 65 games. At 34, he’s nearing the twilight of his career, but Ilgauskas has managed to alter his game to fit his decline in athleticism. Instead of relying on a bruising game in the post, Ilgauskas has become more of a perimeter-oriented big man, hitting 12-15 foot shots on a regular basis. He has had trouble adjusting on the defensive end, where he was exposed by the younger, stronger and more athletic Dwight Howard during the Eastern Conference Finals. As a result, Cleveland brought in Shaquille O’Neal to take over starting duties at center. While Shaq will cut into Ilgauskas’ playing time, the Russian center is accustomed to playing less than 30 minutes per game and should be able to retain most of his production as he did all of his damage in just over 27 minutes per game last year. While the Cavs are unlikely to use O’Neal and Ilgauskas in tandem very much, the departure of Joe Smith and Ben Wallace opened up minutes in the Cavs frontcourt this season.

Ilgauskas bounced back last season with his best fantasy production since 2005, averaging a career-best 9.3 rebounds to go along with 14.1 points and 1.6 blocks. Athleticism remains a question mark for Ilgauskas on a Cavaliers team led by uber-athlete LeBron James, but the 7-3, 290-pound Ilgauskas did a better job of using his size as a strength while minimizing his athletic shortcomings last season. Ilgauskas was more perimeter-oriented last year, hitting his mid range jumper with consistency, which gave him less distance to travel to get back on defense. He also stayed closer to the rim on defense, allowing newly acquired Ben Wallace and energetic Anderson Varejao to do the defensive roaming that requires more lateral quickness. As a result, Ilgauskas reestablished himself as the second best contributor on the Cavs and a still-dependable producer at center.

Ilgauskas set new five-year lows in points and minutes played last season, continuing his decline from primary player to a secondary option for the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas is just not athletic enough to play at the pace that would best suit franchise player LeBron James, and as such he has fallen into a platoon situation with Anderson Varejao. While Big Z should remain a decent source of points and boards while blocking a few shots and shooting good percentages, his days as a definite roto starter are probably a thing of the past.

Ilgauskas has managed to stay healthy of late, missing just 10 games over the last four seasons, after foot injuries wiped out the early portion of his career. He’s got a nice touch and has been more efficient since LeBron James joined the team. He rebounds well and can block shots, though is prone to defensive lapses. That sometimes causes a reduction in playing time, but Scot Pollard isn’t about to take his job. As long as Z stays healthy, he’s one of the elite true centers in the league.

Ilgauskas was re-signed in the offseason and will return as the Cavaliers’ starting center. He saw a reduction in shots when LeBron came on board two seasons ago, and should see a further reduction when Larry Hughes joins Cleveland. Still, Ilgauskas is one of the league’s premier fantasy centers (16.9 ppg and 8.6 rpg in 2004-05). He gets a lot of grief about lapses on the defensive end, but will garner blocked shots (1.9 bpg in career, 2.1 last season).

We saw the first signs that LeBron James is taking over the Cavaliers in 2003-04. Ilguaskas averaged less FGA and seemed to pout during the first half of the season. With the departure of Carlos Boozer, he should get some of those shots back, but coach Paul Silas showed he was not afraid to sit Ilgauskas because of lackadaisical play. Ilgauskas eventually got with the program and posted 17.1 ppg and 12.7 FGA/g after the All-Star break (pre All Star: 14.2 ppg, 11.5 FGA). He needs to stay interested in playing defense to remain on the court. But, unlike last season, Boozer will not be around to pick up the scoring slack while Silas is teaching Z a lesson. The unproven Drew Gooden will fill Boozer’s role, but not as effectively. And Silas’ other options (Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje and DaSagana Diop) are not legitimate.

Ilguaskas played a full season in 2002-03 and proved that he is one of the top fantasy centers in the league. His foot problems could return, but when healthy, expect 16-18 points with 7-8 rebounds per game. He shoots 46.7 percent for his career (44.1 percent in 2002-03) and should help fantasy teams in blocks, averaging 1.9 last season, 11th in the league. He keeps showing up among the league leaders among centers in several categories, but his previous foot injuries could come into play.