The Cavaliers could use some good news after losing their last two games by a combined 66 points.
It's only a matter of time before the Cavaliers retire former center Zydrunas Ilgauskas' No. 11 jersey.
It's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when.
It will happen, probably this season. 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."
He was a first-round pick of the Cavs in the 1996 draft. He spent the next 14 years in Cleveland before leaving in free agency in the summer of 2010. He played one year with the Miami Heat where he reached the NBA Finals for the second time in his career.
Ilgauskas, 36, is the Cavs' all-time leader in games played (771), total rebounds (5,904), offensive rebounds (2,336) and blocked shots (1,269). He's second only to LeBron James in points (10,616).
He averaged 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his career.
Other numbers that are retired belong to Bingo Smith (7), Larry Nance (22), Mark Price (25), Austin Carr (34), Nate Thurmond (42) and Brad Daugherty (43). Retired radio broadcaster Joe Tait also has a banner in the rafters at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavaliers lost to Atlanta on Friday, 121-94. They'll have an opportunity to get straightened out in Miami on Tuesday, but don't count on it. That has the potential to get ugly as well.
NOTES, QUOTES
Still smarting from worst home loss
--The Cavs' 39-point defeat to Chicago on Friday was the most lopsided loss at home in franchise history. Twice before the Cavs lost at home by 35 points. Those previous two defeats came on Dec. 1, 1990, vs. Chicago and March 20, 2001, vs. New York. The embarrassing play continued in Atlanta on Saturday, as they lost to the Hawks, 121-94.
--The good news is that F Tristan Thompson matched his career high with 16 points on Friday. The bad news is that he rolled his right ankle with less than two minutes left in the game. He finished the game, but was limping noticeably.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's big, long, has good size and good hands. We hope to utilize his passing more. Each game he's progressing better and better. He's starting to get it on both ends of the floor." -- Cavs coach Byron Scott on center Semih Erden.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--G Manny Harris made his first start of the season in the Canton Charge's 117-95 loss to the Texas Legends in D-League action on Friday. Harris is averaging 16.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in his first six games for the Charge. One observer thinks Harris could eventually be brought back to the Cavs in place of G Mychel Thompson, who has been inactive most of the season. "I guess there's a chance (Harris could be brought back)," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "I haven't thought about it."
--G Daniel Gibson was not on the trip to Atlanta for Saturday's game. He was given the night off for personal reasons. It was the first game the valuable backup guard has missed this season. His absence caused coach Byron Scott to alter his rotation against the Hawks. Alonzo Gee was shifted from forward to guard to take Gibson's spot. Little-used Luke Harangody was used as the small forward.
--F Omri Casspi is staying in coach Byron Scott's starting lineup despite his struggles. He's averaging 7.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in the Cavs' first 14 games. F Alonzo Gee is playing much better in a reserve role. The Cavs will be reluctant to make a change since they want Casspi to succeed. They traded forward-center J.J. Hickson to Sacramento for him in the offseason. Casspi reached double figures in scoring in four of the last five games.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Tristan Thompson turned his right ankle with less than two minutes left in Saturday's loss. He finished the game, but was limping noticeably.
