<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI - The big man slumped his shoulders, lowered his head and spoke in emotionally hushed tones. Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been going through the roughest time in his life over the last two weeks, moments he revealed before his return to the Cavaliers on Sunday after being away for two weeks to deal with personal matters. Ilgauskas said that after the Cavs hosted the Lakers on Feb. 11, his wife, Jennifer, went into premature labor, was taken to the emergency room and hospitalized. She delivered stillborn twins, a boy and a girl, three days later. The event devastated Ilgauskas and his family, who had been eagerly awaiting the birth. Ilgauskas, who met Jennifer when he was a rookie in 1996 and married her in September 2004 in Hawaii, spent his time away from the team trying to heal. ``I just had to take some time for myself and for her, just to take care of things and be together,'' he said. ``I know it is a long process, but we are taking it one day at a time. Obviously, I've never been through anything like that before. It puts life in perspective. ``It has been tough. We just stayed with each other. Each person grieves differently. We just stayed home... and healed emotionally and for her, physically.'' Ilgauskas said he considered taking more time, but felt that returning to the Cavs after missing four games might help the process. ``I felt sooner or later I was going to have to play. I decided it was time to get back,'' he said. ``At least for a few hours, you can forget about it and enjoy basketball. I've done it all my life. I hope it will take some stuff off my mind. The team needs me, and I need these guys. I think it is important for me to be here.''</div> Source Terrible tragedy. Hopefully playing basketball is some what theraputic for him, but I wouldn't blame Big Z for wanting to take the rest of the year off to mourn with his wife.
I never knew those were his personal problems. He should take as much time as he needs. If basketball helps him get over it, he should play. If not, he shouldn't. Simple as.
I don't think playing the sport I love would ever help me cope with that type of loss, that is severely mentally devastating as could it be physically. Depression can do that to you, but let's hope for the best. The thing is, if he believes he should take the season off to be with his wife he should definitely do that. I know I would. I usually don't feel bad for what happens to celebrities, but this is entirely different and this man is a class act. My condolences to him and his wife and all the best in the coming months.
