DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Dear Washington, See We Have this Center. And his name is Z...

Not my words....but I couldnt have said it any better.


Dear Washington,

See, we have this center.

And his name is Z.

And he's been here a long time.

And we weren't always good.

But he stayed with us.

And acted as a 7'3" cornerstone.

Even though he's half a world away from his home,

Even though he's had bad feet his whole career,

Even though he should've stopped playing basketball a long time ago because of those bad wheels,

Even when his family was in crisis, and he suffered a tragedy,

Even when his spotlight was thrown onto #23,

Even when his minutes were cut,

Even when his starting spot—the spot that's been his since the fall of '97--was taken from him,

Z never turned his back on his teammates, his organization, his community, his fans, his loved ones.

Z is Cleveland basketball—how many guys can look just as natural in blue and orange and wine and gold?

Z was here when floor-seats cost less NBA Live 98.

Z was here when the team just couldn't figure it out.

Z was here when everyone connected to the organization was frustrated night after night, year after year.

And then in 2003, a savior came, and Z was here for the turnaround.

When the Cavaliers earned their first berth in the NBA Finals, the savior jumped into Z's arms—and we cried, and we were happy for Z. Because he deserved it.

And when Z had family problems, we cried. But Z came back to us.

When Z earned his title of Cleveland's franchise leader in rebounds, and then minutes, and countless others...we cheered for him, for he deserved it.

And now that the team is right on the cusp of a world championship, we used Z's contract to acquire what might be the final piece of the puzzle. To add the final piece, we had to send him away for a while.

And Z will be happy for us, for we are better now.

But Washington please...bring back our Z. Let him come home.

He is one of us. We miss him.

Let our Z come home. Winning a championship without him would be a false title. An empty success.

We love Z. Bring him home.

It's not right, him not being in Cleveland.

He's as hard working as the blue collar people sitting in the upper deck every night, cheering Z in his final games.

Bring him home Washington. Cleveland basketball needs Z.

very nice but the author mis-spoke unless they are referring to throwbacks:

"Z is Cleveland basketball—how many guys can look just as natural in blue and orange and wine and gold?"


Z came into the league wearing the black and powder blue monstrosities....he wasn't a part of the blue and orange teams.

I really hope there is no danger of not getting him back,....this would be an extremely empty championship.

They've worn both this year. I think that is what the OP meant. (on the UNI color)

The way I understand it is that we cannot resign Z for at least 30 days AFTER he is bought out, whenever that may be.

Somebody that knows more than me will probably chime in but I believe it has everything to do with his salary making the trade equitable, even though Washington's intent was to dump his salary anyway, they have to go through the formality of it.

that is my understanding too.

I really hope that Washington does cut him and Z decides to wait the 30 days and come back to Cleveland, as opposed to signing elsewhere before those 30 days are up. Z is hands down my favorite all time Cav, no question about it, not even that close - and I'd like to see him play the rest of his hoops days career in Cleveland.

Going to take a chance and post here....I am not trying to screw anything up.....ref, give me some feedback here if I keep hijacking threads....

As long as he is released by March 1st he would be eligible for the playoffs

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it would have been like winning the super bowl the year after Bernie left

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Wait a sec, didn't he do that.

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I really hope there is no danger of not getting him back,....this would be an extremely empty championship

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j/c......Every success has it's price to pay......the balance between winning & the toes ones steps on to win it, isnt easy and one must ask oneself.....was the price worth it.

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the balance between winning & the toes ones steps on to win it, isnt easy and one must ask oneself.....was the price worth it.

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I love Z as much as anyone but players come and go.

Never know, this might be the deal that was needed to win the title and keep LeBron here. One must ask himself...Would he rather have Z or LeBron?