Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is proof that durability can itself be an achievement. The 7-foot-3 Lithuanian lost most of his first years in Cleveland to a run of foot surgeries so severe that many doubted he would ever have a career, let alone a long one. Instead 'Big Z' became the most enduring building block of the Cavaliers' modern era — a two-time All-Star with a reliable mid-range touch who played through pain to finish as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, rebounds and blocked shots. He was the veteran anchor beside a young LeBron James, and when James left for Miami in 2010, Ilgauskas followed for one final season before retiring. Cleveland retired his No. 11 in 2014, a fitting nod to a player whose value was measured as much in perseverance as in points.