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Z Returns To The Q, Cavs Beat Kings

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In what was arguably the most awaited and most emotional return of an athlete in Cleveland Sports history, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena last night.

The Cavs’ marketing team went all out and created a special “Welcome Back” party atmosphere for the beloved native Lithuanian, as the arena was transformed into the “Z Nation.”

Special “CavZ Welcome Back Z” T-Shirts were sold, and commemorative two-sided wall posters were handed out to excited fans, as they entered the arena. One side of the poster contained a Cavs logo, a picture of Z in uniform, and read “Welcome Back March 28, 2010; while the flipside simply contained the letter Z with a shadow of his likeness inside of it.

But still, many fans made their own banners and posters which they held up, cheered, and stood on their feet during the Cavs Opening (which contained restored footage of Z joining his teammates and standing with them outside Quicken Loans Arena), and when Z was introduced after the starting line up.

The festivities continued, throughout the night, as the Cavalittles youth dance squad all donned Z’s number 11 Jersey and performed their Hip Hop routine.

Additionally, quotes from Z’s recent Cleveland Press Conference were frequently aired on the QTube, as well as a special video tribute (beginning in 1999) highlighting all the milestones in his dubious career.

It was obvious that all the Cavs players were overjoyed to have Z back, as they smiled at him, playfully hugged him, and honored him as the main attraction in their pre-game huddle.

When Z entered the game, late in the first quarter, the crowd erupted again—giving him a standing ovation, cheering loudly, and holding up their signs and tributes. And the Cavs were victorious over the Kings, beating them in a close game 97-90.

The Cavs improved their record to 58-16, which is the best in the NBA. Coming off the bench, Z had 6 rebounds, and 4 points. And overall, Lebron led the team in scoring with 34 points, Jamison added 26 points, and both Hickson and Parker scored 10 points.

After the game, Z held a brief courtside interview in which he thanked the fans for their unwavering support, said that he was happy to be back, and then pumped his fist into the air, as he headed for the locker room, yelling “Go Cavs!”

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* – Big Z photo credit: AP Photo/David Richard via The Globe and Mail

The post Z Returns To The Q, Cavs Beat Kings appeared first on Midwest Sports Fans.


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