Holding a commanding 3-0 lead over Detroit and looking every part the leading candidate to represent the Eastern Conference in this June’s Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers can afford a bit of levity at the expense of one of their own, as the Plain-Dealer’s Brian Windhorst details.
During their afternoon film session at a suburban Detroit hotel Saturday, Ilgauskas’ teammates roared during the clip of him “executing” a fast break in Friday’s Game 3 victory over the Pistons. On the play, Ilgauskas chased down a loose ball and ran to the other end.
Inexplicably, when he reached the foul line, Ilgauskas left his feet and apparently started to panic. Luckily for him, LeBron James caught up with him and saved the day with a basket and foul, and Ilgauskas got a rather sheepish assist. And the new moniker.
“We’re calling him ‘Magic’ Ilgauskas,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “The clip of him jumping in the air and floating for two-tenths of a second and making the pass to LeBron . . . my stomach just turned.”
“It was a heck of a play for a 7-foot-3, 72-year-old,” Mo Williams said. “Actually, it was the right play for him; he stopped dribbling.”