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A few other things have changed in the three years since Brown left the Cavaliers. For one, former center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is no longer is a player. He's the Cavaliers' special assistant to the general manager. Still, Brown said he'd stick some sneakers on the big man if he needed a veteran presence on this Cavaliers squad. "Z is your boss," general manager Chris Grant interjected. Brown's eyes widened before he responded, "I've got to get used to that one." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Chris Grant, Mike Brown, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Former #Cavs majority owner Gordon Gund holding court outside locker room - Zydrunas Ilgauskas listening - nice to see him doing well. Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Gordon Gund 

According to the website 82games.com, Thompson's shot is blocked 22 percent of the time when he throws the ball at the rim. Further, Thompson's attempts when "close" to the basket -- in essence, not a dunk but not a jumper -- is a staggering 37 percent. By comparison, Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is blocked 4 percent of the time, overall, and 10 percent when he attempts a "close" shot. Enter the solution: Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Byron Scott brought in the former Cavaliers big man and current assistant to the general manager Thursday to teach Thompson a thing or two about how to avoid being blocked. Ilgauskas was strolling the Cavaliers practice facility in street clothes Thursday. The main thing Thompson needs to work on, Scott said, is making quicker decisions -- and moves. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Tristan Thompson 

"A lot of times [when] he gets it, he puts it on the floor and he's trying to gather," Scott said. "By the time you do all that, you've got two bigs or three guys surrounding you, and they're just trying to push him under the basket even farther. Now he's going up, and most of the time, it's against somebody who is 6-11 or 7 foot, so he's at a disadvantage." The 6-9 Thompson might be smaller than the 7-3 Ilgauskas, but the Lithuanian still has some tricks to teach. In Ilgauskas' final season in the NBA, with Miami, he was blocked 4 percent of the time and 15 percent of his "close" shots. " 'Z' has shown him some things I think can be really good for him. It's just a matter of him implementing it to be a little more effective," Scott said. "I think he has that in him. It's just a matter of continuing to do it." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Tristan Thompson 

Q: Hey, Mary: Since it will be a year since Zydrunas Ilgauskas retired from the NBA, do the Cavs have any plans to retire his No. 11 in the near future? -- Mike L., North Royalton A: Hey, Mike: It is definitely going to happen, but all parties are working to find exactly the right time. No date has been set. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

The year was 1996. The Cavs needed "bigs" in the worst way and had two first-round picks — Nos. 12 and 20. They had settled on Wright State's Vitaly Potapenko at 12 and Zydrunas Ilgauskas at 20. In hindsight, Z was a much better player, but that's an argument for another day. Before the draft, the Los Angeles Lakers were calling teams in the lottery and inquiring about moving up. They found a taker in the then-Charlotte Hornets, who had the 13th overall pick, who agreed to deal their pick for Lakers center Vlade Divac. The Lakers offered the same deal to the Cavs, sources say, but were turned down. The Hornets drafted Lower Merion (Pa.) High School star Kobe Bryant and dealt him to the Lakers. News-Herald

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, Kobe Bryant, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Vlade Divac 

Brendan Bowers: Zydrunas Ilgauskas was amongst Cleveland Cavaliers officials who attended Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's workout earlier today in CLE #NBA #Cavs Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Draft, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Scott said earlier in the season that Ilgauskas would spend time this summer and in training camp working with Tristan Thompson, but both Scott and Grant said on Friday that isn’t true. “Z doesn’t want to coach,” Scott said. “Jamahl [Mosley] has done an excellent job with Tristan. He’s our big man coach.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Scott said there's a good possibility Cavs special assistant to the general manager Zydrunas Ilgauskas will work with forward/center Tristan Thompson this summer. Ilgauskas, who retired before this season, is also expected to help out at training camp. "He's a great guy to look up to and learn from," Thompson said. "Us having the opportunity of him coming out of retirement and coach us a little bit is great for our program." News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

On the eve of the 2010 trade deadline, the Cavaliers were embroiled in trade talks with the Phoenix Suns. According to sources, the Cavs were offering forward J.J. Hickson, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and their first-round pick to the Suns for All-Star forward/center Amar'e Stoudemire. Rumors surfaced all over the league the deal was nixed because then-Cavs general manager Danny Ferry wouldn't part with the promising Hickson. Let's set the record straight: It was the Suns who vetoed the trade. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Amare Stoudemire, JJ Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

It’s only a matter of time before the Cavaliers retire former center Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ No. 11 jersey. One operative said it’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when. It will happen, probably this season some time. No ceremony has been scheduled for the special assistant to general manager Chris Grant. The Cavs haven’t had any discussions yet regarding the event, but they’ll eventually schedule it. They’ll have to make sure the schedules of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, Grant, Ilgauskas and his family line up. Ilgauskas’ two adopted sons are going to school in the Miami area. “We didn’t talk about any of the specifics,” Ilgauskas said recently. “If that day will come, it will be a big honor and a great accomplishment.” Morning Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Chris Tomasson: More LeBron on Finnan Big Z report-'He meant a lot to their franchise..Going through all his foot surgeries.. I think it's a great moment' Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

It's only a matter of time before the Cavaliers retire former center Zydrunas Ilgauskas' No. 11 jersey. One team official said it's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

It will happen, probably this season. No ceremony has been scheduled for the new special assistant to general manager Chris Grant. The Cavs haven't had any discussions yet regarding the event, but they'll eventually schedule it. They'll have to make sure the schedules of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, Grant, Ilgauskas and his family line up. Ilgauskas' two adopted sons are going to school in the Miami area. "We didn't talk about any of the specifics," Ilgauskas said recently. "If that day will come, it will be a big honor and a great accomplishment." News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, one of the most popular players in Cleveland Cavaliers history, is returning to the franchise. The team announced yesterday that Ilgauskas will serve as a special assistant to general manager Chris Grant. He will be involved with front-office responsibilities, including evaluation of amateur and pro prospects. Columbus Dispatch

Cleveland Cavaliers, Chris Grant, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is back with the Cavs as a special assistant to General Manager Chris Grant, the team announced on Wednesday. Ilgauskas played 12 of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the Cavs and holds team records for games played, blocks, rebounds and offensive rebounds. He is second all-time in scoring. “I am really excited to come back to the Cavaliers, a team that I have so much history with and contributing to our future success,” Ilgauskas said in a release. “I’m also looking forward to learning more about this game that I love so much.” Ilgauskas’ duties haven’t been defined yet by the team. There is a conference call with Ilgauskas scheduled for later this afternoon. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

“We are very pleased to have Z begin the next phase of his basketball career with the Cavaliers and I am looking forward to working closely with him,” Grant said. “Z has always had a great desire to learn and succeed and he already has a deep understanding and appreciation of the game and the NBA. We are extremely happy to welcome him back as part of our franchise.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Chris Tomasson: Agent Herb Rudoy said no thoughts of Zydrunas Ilgauskas changing his mind. "As of two days ago, he said he's still planning to retire.'' Twitter

Free Agency, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Anthony Parker: Congrats to big Z on a great career! Enjoyed our brief time as teammates and all the dinners with @Anderson Varejao! God Bless you man! Twitter

Anthony Parker, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: More Andy (Varejao): "I have to thank Z for helping me through my career . . . more than that, I have to thank Z for the great friend he is." #Cavs Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao