The Fantasy Season lurks right around the corner
Will it finish like a nursery rhyme, say Little Jack Horner

Or will it be a nightmare, say Elm Street with Freddy
Especially with the Clippers, save Corey Maggette

Some players will break through, while others will be duds
Drafters will hunt for the former, like a bunch of Elmer Fudds

Some players are all GQ, like D Wade or Kobe
But this round, I’ll go UGLY and draft me Big Z!

Ilgauskas isn’t the prettiest man in the NBA, and his stats year-over-year haven’t been much better.  One would think that the addition of LeBron James to the Cavs would free up a lot of opportunities for Big Z to flourish, but it really hasn’t been the case, with declines in scoring each year since the King was brought to Cleveland. 

While it is obvious that Ilgauskas’ role has changed with the team, his rebounding totals as well as blocked shots and percentages have been right there with his All-Star season of 2005.

2005: 15.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 50.6% FG, 83.4% FT, 1.7 blocks
2006: 11.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 48.6% FG, 80.7% FT, 1.3 blocks

Now before you say that you would want more than eight rebounds and one and a half blocks per game out of your center, realize that you’re getting a big man that will not kill your percentages - at the end of the sixth round.  While I wish I could say that his rebounding opportunities are diminished due to the Cavaliers simply sinking all of their shots, we know that isn’t the case.  Drew Gooden and Anderson Varejao have stepped up on the glass over the past two seasons, and it has shown in Ilgauskas’ numbers.

But hold the phone.  As you may know, aforementioned Varejao will likely not be returning to the team for the upcoming season, as he wants to be paid more than Gooden, the team’s starter.  So, while Big Z may be a year older, his role with the team is going to be that much more important, garnering more minutes…which will equal more production.  Scot Pollard has moved on.  And if you think the Cavs are going to be giving a bunch of minutes to Dwayne Jones, give me your email address as I’d like you to be a part of my money league. 

Expect Ilgauskas’ minutes to creep back above 30 this season, inching him back towards the stats he displayed back in 2004-05 where he played a larger role in the offense, making him a solid second center for any fantasy team.

How does he fit on this team?

I must say that I’m pretty stoked with “Team Three” thus far.  Steals, blocks and boards should come in droves.  While threes may be a bit of an issue, it’s nothing that can’t be attended to a bit later on in the draft.  One more solid point guard to compliment Baron Davis, and this team is well on its way.  Where to, I’m not quite sure, but let’s just hope it is the playoffs for penmanship sake.

Other Members On This Fantasy Team:
1.3 Shawn Marion, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
2.10 Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets
3.3 Baron Davis, PG, Golden State Warriors
4.10 Tyson Chandler, C, New Orleans Hornets
5.3 Mo Williams, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

Previous Picks This Round:
6.1. Jason Terry, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks
6.2. David West, PF, New Orleans Hornets
6.3. Luol Deng, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls
6.4. Danny Granger, SF/PF, Indiana Pacers
6.5. Andre Miller, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
6.6. Samuel Dalembert, C, Philadelphia 76ers
6.7. Al Harrington, PF/C, Golden State Warriors
6.8. Ben Gordon, SG, Chicago Bulls

Previous Round Selections
Round One Recap
Round Two Recap
Round Three Recap
Round Four Recap
Round Five Recap