"He's the big man in the middle from Lithuania No.11 Zzzzzzzz!!!!!! Zydrunas Ilgauskas" says Ahmaad, the On-court Host/Hype Man for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

 Affectionately known as Big Z, he is well known for his practical jokes in the locker room and is loved  by his teammates and fans, standing 7-foot-3 260lbs has been the center of attention for the last 12 years for the Cavalier organization.

 Basketball wasn't the only sport he played, as a youngster Z loved to play soccer and volleyball. But after a growth spurt he decided to concentrate on basketball. Believe it or not Z started out as a point guard.

 Ilgauskas started playing professional basketball for the Atletas Basketball club in Kaunas, Lithuania. He tried to enter into the 1995 NBA draft but broke his right foot and had to withdraw.

Z came back strong and reapplied for early entry for the 1996 draft. Then general manager Wayne Embry pulled the trigger and drafted Big Z with the 20th pick in the first round. Z however broke his right foot again and missed his rookie year.

 He was able to come back the following season and was named to the All-Rookie first team in 1997-98 also was the MVP of the Rookie Challenge game. The next few years tested Z's will as he had broke his left foot a couple of times causing him to ponder retirement at the age of 25.

 But Z stood tall through the face of adversity, had his fifth surgery in six years, endured grueling months of therapy and in 2001 was able to get back on the court and show the organization that he wasn't a first round bust that some tried to label him.

 All the hard work paid off as he was named to the All-Star game in 2003 and 2005 by the Eastern Conference coaches. In 2007, had another solid season helping his team reach the NBA Finals for the first time in the franchise's 37-year history.

 Off to a solid start this season, Big Z's stat line reads 15 points 7.7 rebounds 1.3 blocks in 26.1 minutes a night on 53 percent shooting from the field and 84 percent from the free throw stripe. Also he has added the three-point shot to his arsenal hitting on 4-of-10 attempts this season.

 Big Z has been playing some of the best ball in his career thanks in part to LeBron James and also Mo Williams. The Cavs are focusing more this year establishing him in the paint. Also he is able to pick and pop to hit the 18-footer.

Able to hit the open shot on a consistent basis forces centers to cover him. By doing that it creates spacing on the floor for LeBron or Mo to penetrate into the paint for an easier shot.

 Big Z's health is definitely a key if the Cavaliers are to capture a championship. No other big on the Cavs front-line commands the respect that Z does from the other team. He's not afraid to mix it up in the middle with the likes of Rasheed Wallace of Detroit or Kendrick Perkins of Boston.

 Also the addition of Ben Wallace has helped Z clog the middle on the defensive end of the floor. As a result the Cavs are ranked fifth in the league with 6.2 blocks per game.

 Big Z just recently became the franchise leader in rebounds passing Brad Daughtery's mark of 5,227. He also recently stands third in games played 664 passing John "Hot Rod" Williams. Most likely before the season is over he will pass Williams for the all-time lead in block shots as well.

 Z has stated thanks to LeBron he has enjoyed playing ball now more than ever in his career and doesn't know where he would be without him here. I'm sure the feeling is mutual as when the Cavs captured the Eastern Conference Championship in '07 King James sought out Big Z first to give him a hug for all he has endured.

 Big Z is a key cog in the success of the Cavaliers this season. Such a key that members in the organization is already making room for No.11 to hang in the rafters of the Q.

 The Cleveland Cavaliers remain the NBA's only undefeated team on their home court (7-0) with a 110-96 thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks at the Q on Saturday night to move their record to 10-3 on the young season.

 The Cavs jumped out early scoring the first 11 points of the game and never looked back. After the Hawks finally scored a bucket the Cavs came right back with Zydrunas Ilgauskas feeding LeBron James with a nice bounce pass around the defender who found Ben Wallace for the dunk. And before you knew it by the end of the quarter the Cavs held the Hawks to just 12 points in the first period playing stifling defense lead 49-32 at the half.

 The Cavaliers had four players scoring eight points or more in the first half. Reading this it would be safe to assume King James was one of them right? Wrong, this is a different basketball team in Cleveland.

 With the new editions to go along with James he is able to rest more and pick his spots when he's ready to dictate and take over games. And he decided to do that in the second half scoring 19 of his 24 points in the second half.

 King James delivered a couple of jaw dropping rim shaking dunks to send the Cavaliers bench and fans into a frenzy, once taking on two Hawk defenders James drove down the lane against Al Horford and Solomon Jones and crushed a dunk with his left hand posterizing the two teammates as if they were little boys playing a man's game.

 Another one came later that period when James blew past Maurice Evans faking a pass behind his back went up and smashed the ball through the hoop sending Evans ducking for cover trying to avoid a fat head shot.

 The Cavaliers biggest lead of the night was 28 at 68-40 but the Hawks manage to wilt it down to 11 with the gritty play of backups Evans and Acie Law who finished with 21 points and 20 on the night. Joe Johnson the Hawks leading scorer was held to just four points on 1-of-8 shooting.

 The Cavs had great balance tonight with Mo Williams 23 points, Delonte West 19, and Big Z finished with 17. James also had eight assist and seven boards. The Cavs continue to shoot the ball well shooting 51% from the field 41-of-81 and 91% from the foul line 21-of-23 on the night. Another all around solid effort from the Cavs who are now faced with a four games in five nights stretch.

 Starting on Tuesday they will play the New York Knicks who everyone outside of Cleveland thinks the King will take up residency with in 2010, followed by games against Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

 The scary part about this start by Cleveland is that their not even playing their best basketball yet according to LeBron and yet they are ranked fourth in the league   averaging 101.2 points a game and ranked sixth in defense giving up only 93.0                                                                                                                        

Cavalier fans hope the team keeps winning in the fashion that they are doing and the King will be raising banners at the Q and not in other places that he is rumored to be heading to.

 It's just three weeks into the young season with the Cleveland Cavaliers sitting in first place at 8-2 in the Central Division. I know it's early but the Eastern Conference better beware the Cavaliers not the Pistons are there.

Why all the fuss you may ask when they don't have the best record in the conference? It's the Celtics with the half game lead over them. Detroit and Orlando are only a game behind. Why all the hoopla?

 The C's are playing good ball with Paul Pierce making clutch baskets time after time. Pistons are still learning how to play with their newly acquired superstar guard Allen Iverson. Orlando has won three games in a row to take the division lead in the Southeast. What's so special about the Cavs?

 Well one reason is of course number 23, LeBron James. Playing phenomenal ball and really haven't had to break a sweat, he still is averaging 29 points 8 rebounds 7 assist in 37 minutes a night. James has been quoted as saying he has more space on the floor to operate than at any time in his career with the cast he has around him now. No longer can teams double and triple team him on the King's court. If they choose to he can pick and pop with Big Z for the open 18 footer. Swing the ball across court to find an open West in the corner.

 The best part of it all he doesn't have to dominate the ball any longer. With the addition of Mo Williams the King has entrusted him to run the offense which allows James to play more off the ball which spells doom for the opposing team. "Pick your poison", the King declares to his opponents. "Stop me, and all the King's men will find away to get the job done like Mo, Boobie and Anderson Varejao has done this season. Leave me and I'll destroy you with a drive or alley hoop in your face" LeBron says with a devilish smile. "Wham with the right hand" Joe Tait Cavs radio announcer proclaims to the listening audience.

 Danny Ferry has made a drastic change to this team who was just two years removed from playing in the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Only five guys remain on the roster from that year (not including Eric Snow who is injured and will retire after his injury settlement is resolved).

 Ferry has rolled his sleeves up, transformed this team over by making the Cavs a more physical team with the addition of Ben Wallace. The Cavs are more athletic with the additions of Williams and West, more efficient shooting team with Wally Szczerbiak along with Gibson spreading the floor.

 Coach Mike Brown has picked up the dice, shook them in his hands, "Yeeeeessss, seven" he says referring to the Cavs current win streak. Who would have believed it, the Cleveland Cavaliers actually has an offensive attack that doesn't include James dribbling down the shot clock while his other four teammates are standing in awe as he takes on the opponents by himself.

 Gone are the days of 1 on 5 plays on the court. "We are a diverse team now we can play half court, or run within our system" James says, "as long as we take care of our top priority which is defense first. This is by far the deepest team I've played with since coming to the league."

 Mike Brown has put together different rotations that have the wine and gold on a roll. The Cavs winners of seven games in a row and are the hottest team in the NBA, now are taking their act out on the road for the next two games against New Jersey and Detroit.  The NBA had better beware the Cleveland Cavaliers are here to stay.