Zydrunas Ilgauskas to the Miami Heat

[Primetime]

"The Miami Heat's supporting cast is turning out to be anything but a second-rate cast.

Count Cleveland Cavaliers free-agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas as the latest to sign up alongside Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Agent Herb Rudoy confirmed Tuesday to the Sun Sentinel that Ilgauskas will sign with the Heat, with the only issue whether it will be a one-year deal, or one year plus a player option.

"Once LeBron signed there," Rudoy said, "LeBron started recruiting him."

Rudoy said the Heat also pushed for Ilgauskas at midseason, after the center received a buyout from the Washington Wizards. Ilgausksas then re-signed with Cleveland for the balance of the season.

"The Heat was very active in recruiting," Rudoy said.

Ilgausksas, 35, a teammate of James during James' seven seasons in Cleveland, would become the first center under contract to the Heat.

The Heat also has a qualifying offer in place for Joel Anthony, a center who spent the past two seasons with the Heat and is a restricted free agent.

Ilgauskas would be signing for the veteran minimum, which would be $1.4 million for his tenure."

Great pick up for the Heat here. He's not a force by any means, but he's a guy that has a limited ability to play down low with a great ability to spread the floor for the slashing Wade and James. Heat are making great pick ups with their limited spending ability.

[Macken]

yeah thats a great pickup for the heat.. big z can get outta the paint and get the J

[IamMedellin]

so....7 players so far?

[Primetime]

That makes 10 players. You have to remember Varnado, Pittman, and Butler. Varnado may be moved to D-league depending on the players they pick up though. I really think Butler makes an impact at the 2 when Wade sits out. He was one of the best players in college before the knee injury and nothing about his game makes me want to believe he can't carry it over to the NBA. They were talking about him being a top five pick and he fell so damn far to the Heat. I think a lot of teams will regret not picking him up. Pittman and Butler probably have the 2 and 5 spots coming off the bench in their hands right now. It's theirs to lose.

[trojan49er]

So theyve got
C: Z, Anthony, Pittman (in some order)
PF: Bosh, Haslem
SF: LBJ, Miller
SG: Wade, Butler
PG: Chalmers

Toss in a vet PG and that looks like a damn solid roster to me

[Primetime]

You have to remember Butler will be out for some time recovering from knee surgery though. They'll pick up a SG with a minimum contract to fill his role until he is healthy.

[Primetime]

Maybe Matt Barnes?

[jags224]

Big z wants that ring!

[Argath]

still need a few more pieces, but it's certainly coming together

[stevsta]

Z on 2k due to his size may be a good addition but in the realm of basketball he is probably more of a one dimensional player basically rebounding the ball no one can reach (if it doesnt get ripped from his hands later on)

it would be a shame if this is the best kind of center they get

[Argath]

Z on 2k due to his size may be a good addition but in the realm of basketball he is probably more of a one dimensional player basically rebounding the ball no one can reach (if it doesnt get ripped from his hands later on)

it would be a shame if this is the best kind of center they get

I really like Z as a starting center for the Heat personally. He's a shooter than can spread the floor instead of clog the middle like Shaq would do. Gives not only another option on offense, but allows Wade/Lebron/Bosh the room to work the inside of the defense.


His defense may be a bit questionable, but he's a big body that doesn't get pushed around much, he can stand his ground.

[Archer]

I really like Z as a starting center for the Heat personally. He's a shooter than can spread the floor instead of clog the middle like Shaq would do. Gives not only another option on offense, but allows Wade/Lebron/Bosh the room to work the inside of the defense.


His defense may be a bit questionable, but he's a big body that doesn't get pushed around much, he can stand his ground.

A bit? good luck wheeling Z out at center v Howard in the playoffs

[Argath]

A bit? good luck wheeling Z out at center v Howard in the playoffs

Everybody is saying that, but the game isn't about 1 player. In fact, I think adding big Z actually helps them against the Magic. The Heat have the players who will stop the rest of the Magic's offense, Howard will get his regardless of who he's facing. While the Heat are on offense though, Big Z can rotate to the outside bringing Howard with him, leaving the middle open for Wade/Lebron/Bosh to pentrate. If Howard collapses, there's a kick out to Big Z's signature shot.

[Archer]

Everybody is saying that, but the game isn't about 1 player. In fact, I think adding big Z actually helps them against the Magic. The Heat have the players who will stop the rest of the Magic's offense, Howard will get his regardless of who he's facing. While the Heat are on offense though, Big Z can rotate to the outside bringing Howard with him, leaving the middle open for Wade/Lebron/Bosh to pentrate. If Howard collapses, there's a kick out to Big Z's signature shot.

Big Z is actually, one of the worst defensive options out there in FA. They'd have more luck bringing back one of the guys they had last year instead.

And if they can't stop Howard from eating up Z [in the past he did more than get his v him] that will force others to help out which then opens up the rest of the offense for Orlando.

By the way... Z didn't help the Cavs offense much v Orlando. They let him roll out and dared LeBron to kick it to him for the outside shot. I'm pretty sure most opponents will take the semi-open Z outside shot over the Wade/LeBron drive to the paint.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

As is, the Heat's lineup looks like this...

C - Joel Anthony / Zydrunas Ilgauskas / Dexter Pittman*
PF - Chris Bosh / Udonis Haslem / / Juwan Howard (pending) / Jarvis Varnado* / Robert Dozier*
SF - LeBron James / Mike Miller (pending) / DeSean Butler**
SG - Dwyane Wade /
PG - Mario Chalmers / Kenny Hasbrouck* / Patrick Beverley*

*May be D-League / Europe bound to start the season.
**Injured, won't be back until February/March if at all this season.