Z plan for Z Cavs

Here's the plan for Zydrunas Ilgauskas, according to Cavs GM Jim Paxson:

The Cavs looked back at last season and noticed he was playing 34-36 minutes per game in the previous six games before he broke his foot -- again. They believe that was too much, too soon. After a month of being careful with Ilgauskas, they tried to treat him like any other player. Now, they know differently.

For now, it's a maximum of 24 minutes per game, and no more than 40 minutes total in back-to-back games.

At the most, he'll play 28 minutes in a game this season, probably no higher.

He's has been terrific, averaging about 13 points and five rebounds in only 18 minutes a game. And he's only played 134 career games.

``Our goal is to keep Z healthy all year,'' Paxson said. ``If he's at 28 minutes in the last few months of the season, then we can start him. The one problem with bringing him off the bench is we tend to throw the ball to him, and then everyone stands and watches. Z is best in an offense where he moves, and where everyone else moves.''

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Paxson is thrilled with Jumaine Jones, who might be the smallest starting power forward in the league at 6-foot-8, 218 pounds. But he's grabbing about eight rebounds per game, and his shooting is getting better all the time. ``His motor is always running, you know Jumaine will give you a great effort at both ends of the court,'' Paxson said.

Jones came from Philadelphia for Matt Harpring, and the deal has helped both teams, although Harpring has fallen into a shooting slump, 11-for-34, in his past four games. It would even be better for the Cavs if Tyrone Hill was healthy, but he has yet to go through a full practice because of his balky back and no one is sure when he'll return.

Lamond Murray has improved dramatically on offense, but now, the Cavs are trying to get him to show as much interest in playing defense. He still tends to stand around, and while he can be an effective rebounder, he doesn't always crash the boards.

Wes Person has been helped because many teams are putting their biggest guard on Andre Miller, leaving the 6-foot-6 Person to be defended by a much smaller player. This has helped him get open and get off his shots. But he also has aided his own cause by moving, instead of just standing outside and waiting for someone to throw him a pass -- as he did for the past few years.

Paxson said the Cavs have gotten a few trade inquiries about Murray and Person, something that hasn't happened for years. ``Right now, we don't plan to make any changes unless something exceptional comes along,'' he said. ``I want to see what our team looks like with Z and young guys like Ricky Davis and Jones mixing in with our veterans.''

Paxson was impressed with how Miller sat out only one game with a badly bruised shoulder, the first missed game in his three-year career. He now leads the NBA in assists and demands a lot of defensive attention, creating shots for Miller and Person. ``Andre is a tough, tough kid, and the scary part is he's still learning,'' Paxson said. ``He's not anywhere near his peak, and I don't think a lot of people realize how good he is.''