Z, Can Any City But Cleveland Be Your Choice?

Of course Z's coming back, isn't he?

Nothing else makes sense. Does it? After all, that had to be the reason, deep inside all the posturing and front-office head-fakes, Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry included center Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the three-team trade that brought power forward Antawn Jamison to Cleveland.

Yes, Jamison was needed piece here, and so was Z.

The Cavs, though their roster is loaded with talent, might not be able to compete seriously for the NBA championship without Z. He's an irreplaceable piece of any run the team hopes to make toward its first title.

Much like LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal, Ilgauskas can create nightmares for opposing defenders. Z's long and tall, and he has an outside game that big men must respect. His presence opens room for LeBron to slash to the rim, and with Z on the floor, Jamison becomes even more effective.

And if the Cavaliers want to play big, coach Mike Brown can put a giant team on the court in Z, LeBron, Shaq, Jamison and Anthony Parker or Delonte West. Now, let Phil Jackson's Lakers try to match up with that lineup of oak trees - and Kobe be damned.

Getting 7-foot-3 Z back in wine and gold makes the Cavs the most imposing team in the Eastern Conference, and if their fans can dare believe it, a Cavs team with Z might well be the best team in the NBA. 

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