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[QUOTE=Uncle Drew]So what?[/QUOTE]
No. He was actually expected to retire. LeBron convinced him to come play for the Heat because they felt they could win.
Almost all Cavalier fans hold much respect for Big Z. I'm glad he came out to be a solid center in his career and he kept at it even with the early food injuries.
He was awesome on tip-backs and had a wet 18 foot J for a 7'3" 260 pound center.
[QUOTE=CJ Mustard]At least he made an Allstar team. A lot more understandable than the Spurs retiring Bruce Bowen's number.[/QUOTE]
Bowen was a defensive specialist.
He meant way more to the Spurs than Big Z did with the Cavs.
Bowen's defense was key in those 3 rings
Z is #1 in franchise history in just about every category that LeBron isn't #1 in. Definitely well deserved for one of my favorites :cheers:
[QUOTE=Sakkreth]Main factor must be loyalty and dedication, was quality player aswell despite in many cases career ending foot injuries.[/QUOTE]
Foot injuries really set him back, but had played pretty healthy after he got totally healthy and was a one of the top centers in the league for a little while.
[QUOTE=Meticode]No. He was actually expected to retire. LeBron convinced him to come play for the Heat because they felt they could win.
Almost all Cavalier fans hold much respect for Big Z. I'm glad he came out to be a solid center in his career and he kept at it even with the early food injuries.
He was awesome on tip-backs and had a wet 18 foot J for a 7'3" 260 pound center.[/QUOTE]
I'm not saying y'all don't respect him but IMO he hasn't done much for his jersey to be retired.
[QUOTE=TheReal Kendall]Bowen was a defensive specialist.
He meant way more to the Spurs than Big Z did with the Cavs.
Bowen's defense was key in those 3 rings[/QUOTE]
Still doesn't change the fact that Z > Bowen.
Pretty pathetic. Cleveland has enough unworthy retired numbers as it is
[QUOTE=TheReal Kendall]I'm not saying y'all don't respect him but IMO he hasn't done much for his jersey to be retired.[/QUOTE]
It depends on the franchise and the quality of players that come through the organization. Obviously he played for a team like the Celtics or Lakers he wouldn't have his number retired, but Cleveland doesn't see to many players come through their organization that are good players. Much less stay with the same team for 12 straight years which is almost unheard of now-a-days.
Personally, I think he deserves it to be retired for the Cavaliers franchise. He was a great player minus the foot injuries, showed dedication and respect.
[QUOTE=SilkkTheShocker]Pretty pathetic. Cleveland has enough unworthy retired numbers as it is[/QUOTE]
Sorry. Cleveland doesn't get the Michael Jordans, Kobe Bryants and Larry Bird's of the world.
Oh wait, we did. And he left. Nevermind.
[QUOTE=Meticode]Still doesn't change the fact that Z > Bowen.[/QUOTE]
Bowen was way more of a difference maker.
[QUOTE=Meticode]Sorry. Cleveland doesn't get the Michael Jordans, Kobe Bryants and Larry Bird's of the world.[/QUOTE]
So that means you guys should retire Bingo Smith's number? Or 2 years of Nate Thurmond?
Ilgauskas was a Cav for many years and was extremely loyal. Doctors told him in 2000 to retire, but he kept playing. He missed all of 1996-97 and played in just 29 games from 1999-2001. Then add his wife giving birth to stillborn twins and he went through a lot. It's not like he was a scrub. He was pushing a double-double with almost 2 BPG at his peak. He deserves to have his number retired. Couldn't have happened to be a better guy. :applause:
[QUOTE=jstern]He played 12 years with the Cavs though.[/QUOTE]
My bad. I meant to put 14 which would be counting since his draft date to his leaving the team. He did however miss 2 (and chunks of other) seasons due to injuries.
[QUOTE=Meticode]Sorry. Cleveland doesn't get the Michael Jordans, Kobe Bryants and Larry Bird's of the world.
Oh wait, we did. And he left. Nevermind.[/QUOTE]
That's true but that still doesn't mean that they have to retire mediocre players.
Might as well retire Mo Williams jersey also.
[QUOTE=SilkkTheShocker]So that means you guys should retire Bingo Smith's number? Or 2 years of Nate Thurmond?[/QUOTE]
I don't know about those guys, but I feel Z 100% should have his number retired as a Cavalier. Period.