Cavs roundup News and notes

Coming on strong: Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has quietly put together a strong season. He averages 13.8 points to go with a team-best 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Ilgauskas is coming off a season-high 29-point, 15-rebound game Wednesday. He also tends to be overlooked because of teammate LeBron James, not that Ilgauskas minds. “Once you play with LeBron ... [who] dominates a game as much as he does, you have to realize you have to play a smaller role,” Ilgauskas said. “I’ve never had an ego in my life. I realize how lucky I am to play with him, and how much he helps my game. I wasn’t very good when he was out for six games. You ... let him take the credit because he deserves it, and you just do your job.”

Closing in: Former Cavs great Brad Daugherty lost his franchise scoring record to James last week. Daugherty’s team rebounding record could fall to Ilgauskas early next season. Ilgauskas’ final rebound Wednesday was the 5,000th of his career, making him the second Cavalier to reach that milestone. Daugherty leads the all-time rebounding list with 5,227. “Oh, that’s next year,” Ilgauskas said when told how far away he was from Daugherty’s mark. “It’ll be an honor. Any time you achieve anything like that where you become a franchise leader ... it means you’ve been successful and been around for a long time.”

That’s mine, too: Ilgauskas jokingly reminded reporters that he already owns a Cleveland record, most career personal fouls. He’s been whistled for 2,198 in 10 seasons. His 35 career disqualifications also rank No. 1, as he passed former McKinley High star Phil Hubbard (33) this season.

Ready to go: For the second time in a week, shooting guard Daniel Gibson sounded optimistic after a practice about returning to action. “Right now, I’m planning on playing [tonight],” Gibson said after Friday’s practice. “I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent. It’s still sore and there’s still certain things I’m limited in doing.” But Gibson is confident he is more than healthy enough to contribute. The team, though, wants to make sure Gibson suffers no setbacks with the playoffs being a month away. He felt ready to go Wednesday, but the team decided to hold him out for an 18th straight game. Gibson went full-go in practices Thursday and Friday, and Brown said, “that’s a real good sign.”

Who starts? Brown was uncertain who would start if point guard Delonte West (questionable, left ankle tendinitis) can’t go tonight. If Gibson can play, he would be a possibility. So is Damon Jones, who has been solid coming off the bench.

New look? Gibson has gone old school in practice by wearing his white socks high. “I’m not sure if I’ll implement it for games,” he said.

Coming soon: Look for Gibson to appear, alongside team mascot Moondog, in TV commercials for McDonald’s. Because he asks for sweet tea in the ad, Jones has taken to calling Gibson “Sweet Tea” of late.

Gatehouse News Service