Branson Wright of the Plain Dealer reports that Zydrunas Ilgauskas is slowly making his way back after being hampered throughout his career by various foot problems. "It's been disappointing," Ilgauskas said. "There's been more downs than ups. I'm not ready to play yet because of rehab. But if my foot holds up and I don't have any problems, I'll be ready to play.

Ilgauskas' latest surgery was performed in February to repair a fractured navicular bone in his left foot. Two screws were removed and three new screws were put into place. "My foot feels better every day on the floor," Ilgauskas said. "It was rough in the beginning but it's a lot better. I still have a ways to go but I can see it progressing."

Stan Kellers, Cavs strength and conditioning coordinator, also is optimistic. "I'm always optimistic when it comes to rehab," Kellers said. "That's the only way you can be, and Z has done everything we've asked him. He's starting to look like the old Z. He's looking good."

Ilgauskas looked even better last season. The Cavs won 15 of the 24 games he played in before the injury. He scored 10 points or more in 14 of those games, and in three games, he scored more than 20. His best outing was a 24-point, 12-rebound performance against Dallas on Dec. 12.