Zydrunas Ilgauskas still undecided about retirement – NBA Update
Zydrunas Ilgauskas has revealed in a recent interview with a local newspaper that he has still not made up his mind on retirement. The centre, who is 36 years old and played for the Miami Heat last season, is a versatile player
with a good range on his jumper. His large frame also helps on the defensive end.
However, during the last season, Ilgauskas seemed to be out of sorts for the most part and did not play to his earlier high standards. In addition to that, he had a foot injury trouble that kept him out of the side. So bad was
Ilgauskas’ situation that the Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra did not play him throughout the NBA playoffs.
There were suggestions that Ilgauskas would retire after the end of the season, but the centre decided to pick up his one year option with the Heat, worth $1.4 million. Still, Ilgauskas is not sure of returning last season and
the contract extension is believed to have been taken just in case.
In the interview, Ilgauskas revealed that Miami will indeed be his destination if he comes back to the NBA next season,
“If I play, it will be in Miami,” Big Z told the reporter. “Right now I’m just kind of on the fence.”
Ilgauskas revealed that he doesn’t want to rush his decision as the league was in lockout mode and there had been no indications yet about when it will end. Money is not a factor for the veteran centre, rather Ilgauskas is debating
whether he is healthy enough to return to playing and also what value he can bring to the Miami Heat team that looked destined for the NBA World Championship last season, but fell just one hurdle short.
“I just want to keep my options open,” he said. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen with the season. I figure we’ll take it one day at a time, see how my back is.”
Having Ilgauskas back is a double edged sword for the Miami Heat. He is on a very small contract so Miami won’t be worried about the money. What would be of interest to them is whether Ilgauskas can keep up physically with the
pace of the game and make a meaningful contribution. Only then, will his experience can be an asset.
However, if the Zydrunas of last season were to return for another go, it is hard to see what the Heat would gain from the player. Pat Riley has already indicated that the franchise is looking to bring in young blood and if Ilgauskas
vacates a spot on the roster they can fill it with some new player through free agency.
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