It's a shame the NBA doesn't give a Comeback Player of the Year award anymore. If it did, Zydrunas Ilgauskas would win it hands down.
The Cavs' center will be making his first trip to the NBA All-Star Game this weekend, completing a journey back from severe foot problems that nearly forced him into retirement.
"Two years ago, I wasn't even thinking about this," he said.
Back then, Cavs observers largerly had written him off because they considered his return so unlikely. A string of foot injuries limited Ilgauskas to just 29 games over a three-year period, including missing the entire 1998-99 season. And just when he thought he was back to start the next season, he suffered another setback. At that point, he was close to giving up.
"Real close [to retiring]," he said. "You break your foot five times, whether you like it or not, retirement thoughts come into your mind."
But he battled his way back and played the final 62 games for the Cavs last season, regaining his timing after the long layoff.
This year, he's broken out, averaging 18.1 points and 8.0 rebounds a game. And despite Cleveland's miserable 9-39 record, he's kept a positive attitude, knowing from personal experience how much can change in two short years. Perhaps that's why the coaches made him the rarest of rarities: an All-Star from a last-place team.
"I was surprised and excited [to be named]. Not a lot of guys get picked from teams with losing records," he noted. "It's frustrating, but we're a young team -- the youngest in the NBA -- so hopefully we'll improve."
It's an added thrill for Ilgauskas because he's also the first player from his native Lithuania chosen for the game, despite the former Soviet republic's long basketball history. "It's an honor, because there's been a lot of great players from my country," he said, rattling off names like Sarunas Marciulionis and his idol, Arvydas Sabonis.
Ilgauskas' injury history still has the team concerned. The Cavs are limiting his minutes to protect his fragile feet, although they've taken off the kid gloves by increasing the magic number from 24 minutes last year to 35.
But Ilgauskas doesn't mind being on a timer, because he's mindful of the big picture. "I just want to stay healthy," he said.
Especially since he's finally shown how much he can do when he's not in a boot cast.
Men behaving badly
It was a banner week for Stu Jackson's crew at the league office, as Isiah Thomas, Jerry Sloan and Ron Artest all earned multiple-game suspensions. Artest got four games for trying to instigate a rare player-vs.-opposing-coach fight with Pat Riley and then telling Miami fans, "We're No. 1" with a less-used finger. Thomas got two games when he liked Artest's idea so much that he decided to try to get a piece of Toronto's Morris Peterson. And Sloan got seven for pushing a referee who had the temerity not to buy into Utah's flopping charade.
Later, LeBron
Prep star LeBron James was sidelined for the season after Ohio officials ruled he had violated state bylaws by accepting free 'retro' jerseys valued at $850. So if you're a rising high school star out there reading this, the lesson here is that the $50,000 Hummer with three televisions is totally cool, as long as you do all your clothes shopping at Goodwill and Target.
All-Star reserves announced
The coach's selections for the All-Star Game were announced this week, and for one of the first times in memory there were no obvious gaffes. Michael Jordan was honored in his final season, while the Jazz' Karl Malone was left out for the first time since Utah declared statehood.
SWISH: Kobe Bryant
Bryant can prepare his Western Conference Player of the Week acceptance speech after leading the Lakers to three straight wins by averaging 40 points a game, including 42 against the Jazz on Saturday night. Bryant hit 49 percent from the field and sizzled from the free-throw line, where he shot 33-for-37.
BRICK: Boston Celtics
Led by Antoine Walker's 1-for-15 performance, the Celtics suffered the worst defeat in the history of their storied franchise Friday, trailing by as many as 60 points in a 118-66 beating at the hands of the Detroit Pistons.
SWISH: Peja Stojakovic
The Kings may be struggling, but don't blame Peja. He cemented his credentials as Chris Webber's All-Star Game replacement by shooting 49 percent and averaging 31 points and 7.8 rebounds on the week.
BRICK: Jamaal Magloire
An unsung reason the Hornets have been a disappointment is that Magloire hasn't come close to his performance of a year ago. He shot just 5-of-24 as the Hornets dropped three of four games and droppped to .500 on the year.
SWISH: Michael Jordan
Turns out the old guy can still do it. Jordan ripped the Hornets for a season-high 45 points Saturday, capping a week in which he averaged 24 points a game in Jerry Stackhouse's absence.
BRICK: Jason Kidd
The Nets' superstar made just 2-of-14 shots over two games before pulling the plug and sitting out with a strained groin. With Kidd's Nets holding a commanding six-game lead in the Atlantic Division, don't expect New Jersey to rush him back.
Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz, Monday, 9 p.m. EST
Underestimate the Jazz at your own peril. They're 25-13 since starting the year 3-6 and figure to be a pest in the Western playoff race all season. Unfortunately, Matt Harpring will miss this game with bruised ribs that may be broken, so Utah won't have anyone to take advantage of Dallas' small forwards.
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers, Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST
An interesting game from both sides. The Lakers have won three straight but need to show they can knock off good teams on the road as they make their playoff push, while the Pacers need to overcome the absence of Ron Artest and coach Isiah Thomas and try not to get anybody else suspended.
Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. EST
The two best teams in basketball go head to head Tuesday, although the Kings haven't looked the part lately. Sacramento has lost five of six while playing bullfight-quality defense and will be without star forward Chris Webber for two more weeks. The Kings will need to get their act together fast if they want to win in Dallas.
This department brings you thoughts and comments from around the country. Here's what people are saying this week:
Rumor Mill
This week it's the New York Post's Peter Vecsey's turn to run through the list of who's available, including Kurt Thomas, Latrell Sprewell and the entire roster, staff, food vendors and usher crew of the Atlanta Hawks. More
Overeating
This feature by Chris McCosky of the Detroit News on coaches blowing gaskets is interesting enough, but the best part is in the side notes, where Yao Ming's main observation about Jerry Krause was, "He ate twice as much as I did." More
Darko's dilemma
The Nuggets are very interested in Yugoslavian teenager Darko Milicic if they lose the LeBron sweepstakes, but, unfortunately for them, a ruling by the NBA on his eligibility has him unlikely to be available for this year's draft. More.
Still second-best
While a couple of Eastern teams can hang with the West's elite this year, the Boston Herald's Mike Murphy points out the Shawn Kemp-sized disparity in talent that still exists between the Western and Eastern Conferences. More
Grass is greener
While one writer in Orlando wonders if maybe Doc Rivers should be canned (More), a scribe in Atlanta thinks the Hawks should hire Doc at any price. Anyone know Jon Gruden's thoughts on this? More.
Fast times
Here's a great feature on Eddie Johnson -- no, the other Eddie Johnson -- who was an All-Star with Atlanta two decades ago before his life turned into an Ishtar-esque disaster. More.
Never to soon
A year and a half before the fact, Charlotte already is wondering who might be available with the fourth pick in the 2004 draft. Here's a hint: It won't be anyone named "LeBron." More.
Blame game
Here's a hilarious summary of the gripefest following the announcement of All-Star reserves, straight from all the players who didn't deserve to be there, but imagined themselves worthy. More
The first moment of truth for this year's draft class comes Saturday, when the best of the crop will take on the Golden State Warriors in the Rookie Challenge. The team of Amare Stoudemire, Caron Butler, Dajuan Wagner, Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer and Nene Hilario will have help from a couple of overseas ringers -- Emanuel Ginobili and Gordan Giricek -- to make up for not having Yao Ming. In addition to Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy of the Warriors, the sophs will send out Andrei Kirilenko, Tony Parker, Jamaal Tinsley, Richard Jefferson, Pau Gasol and Tyson Chandler.
All-Star reserves were announced on Tuesday, and everybody's chiming in with their thoughts. This week Off The Glass says that players like Jerry Stackhouse, Ron Artest and Elton Brand should have got the nod from the coaches -- en route to a dip in the mailbag that asks about the wisdom of trading Shaq.
This is the part where we ask you, the reader, to stop waving that towel on the sidelines, pull off the warmups, get on the floor and take some shots. Each week we'll ask a question and post the best responses a week later.
Last week WAAG asked who deserved the Most Improved Player award. Based on the responses, it appears a certain player on the Utah Jazz can start clearing space on his trophy shelf:
Harpring. Ricky Davis still plays no defense, his team sucks and he's playing more minutes than last year. Matt's doing twice as much without a big increase. Nick Mockford, Seattle
I think that the emergence of Zach Randolph in Portland warrants a vote for him. He is one of the first guys off a deep bench and can come in and score against anyone while playing some pretty decent defense. He's not afraid to throw his body around and he's got quick feet. Joe Spencer, Washington, D.C.
Matt Harpring should win. He has found new life in Utah and his game is ocming together. He showed minimal life in Orlando but has found a wonderful home in Salt Lake City. Jared Weinberg, Fresh Meadows, N.Y.
My vote goes to Earl Boykins, he is just outstanding in cruch time, and give us short guys inspiration that it's not about being tall. Robert Valentin Jaldon, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Matt Harpring. He's gone from role player to featured offensive weapon. 'Nuff said. Will, Augusta, Ga.
Stephon Marbury -- he's a big factor (along with Amare) why the Suns are to be reckoned with in the West. Matt Harpring's a close second. Mike Clarke, Bermuda
Ricky Davis! Come on, us Cavs fans deserve something. We've suffered for so long. Please, Ricky Davis should be MIP to boost our spirits when we don't get LeBron James. Matt Blair, Dayton, Ohio
Earl Boykins. He is turning Golden State into a playoff contender. He is unstoppable down the stretch. Andrew Thomas, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Matt Harpring! He's averaging 18 a game with the Jazz. Yet another player the Magic traded before they blossomed. Joe Ollman, Gainesville, Fla.
Say it's hometown favoritism if you will, but if Jermaine O'Neil were not such a presence, Ron Artest would be the Pacers' MVP. He should definitely be in contention. Chris Worden, Indianapolis
The clear choice is Harpring. Finally the chance to play and be a playmaker, this has pushed his game to new levels. Philadelphia missed out. Tyler J. Cote, Charlotte, Vt.
I think Ricky Davis really deserves this trophy. This season heīs scoring nearly 20 points per game, when he has a 11 ppg career average. Also, heīs now the most important player in his team, something that canīt be said about Harpring,for example. Ioseba Arriola, Madrid, Spain
Zydrunas Ilgauskas has improved so much this year and he finally isn't hurt. He's proved to be one of the best centers in the East but he is stuck on one of the worst teams. David Cox, Irvine, Calif.
No player has shown half as much improvement as Matt Harpring. Logan Kachur, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
Ricky Davis. He is in the top 15 in scoring, and has shown a big improvement in assists and 3-point shooting. He is someone the Cavs can build around. Brian Tybor, Youngstown, Ohio
This week's topic: What can be done to improve All-Star weekend?
John Hollinger covers the NBA for CNNSI.com. "Week at a Glance" appears each Monday during the season.
The first moment of truth for this year's draft class comes Saturday, when the best of the crop will take on the 
