Big Z Snubbed

Did you hear about this one?  During Saturday night's home game against the Mavericks, Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers was set to become that team's all-time leader in games played.  He even had family members and friends flown in for the game to help celebrate the momentous occasion.

But no!  The Cavaliers snubbed their record tying center (currently at 723 games played), as coaching staff decided not to put him in the game, finishing the game with a DNP--coaches decision! 

Both Big Z and Lebron James are pissed at coach Mike Brown's negligence to put Ilgauskas into the game, despite the 12 years of service on the only NBA team he has ever been a part of.  Loyalty is hard to come by these days, and it seems like it doesn't pay off in the end.  Normally a franchise would go all out for a circumstance like this, but obviously Ilgauskas is the farthest thing from Cleveland management's mind.

Understandably, Big Z was very low key during Monday's practice, and didn't even take part in the team's football scrimmage game after the practice.  He opted to shoot a few baskets at the other end of the court and quietly dodge out in order to escape the media.

I can't imagine this is going to end up very good for any of the people involved in this situation, and Big Z may even want out if things aren't cleared up soon.  Cleveland brass are so worried about re-signing James this offseason that they have forgot about one of their all-time greats. 

Shame on you, Cleveland Cavaliers.