INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- When Zydrunas Ilgauskas was considering an offer to join the Cavaliers front office as a special assistant to General Manager Chris Grant, one of the first people he called was longtime friend and former teammate Danny Ferry.

Ferry, of course, made a successful transition from player with the Cavs and San Antonio Spurs to executive with both teams.

"Danny was honest," Ilgauskas said in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "Obviously, it's a lot of work, a lot of film watching, a lot of studying, a lot of talent evaluation.

"But I'm looking forward to it. I'll take it like everything else I do in my life -- as a challenge. I can't promise anything but one thing -- my work ethic will stay the same as it was when I was a player. That won't change."

Ferry would expect no less.

"I think Z can be really good," Ferry, vice president of basketball operations for the Spurs, said in an email on Wednesday. "He will be a good contributor because he does everything with a disciplined, pure and conscientious approach. His experiences, understanding and ability to relate as a player, from both as an All Star as well as a role player, will certainly give him a unique perspective for the team-building process."

Ilgauskas, a Lithuanian taken by the Cavaliers with the 20th pick in the 1996 draft, spent 12 of his 13 NBA seasons here, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in games played (771), rebounds (5,904), offensive rebounds (2,336) and blocked shots (1,269) and ranks second in points (10,616). He was an All-Star in 2003 and 2005.

Quick impression of Irving

On his first day at work, Zydrunas Ilgauskas was asked to evaluate rookie Kyrie Irving.

“I think he’s going to be a special player,” Ilgauskas said. “I like his demeanor. I like his work ethic. Obviously he has a lot of skills, very athletic for a point guard. That one block that he had against Charlotte — chasing down from behind — reminded me of one guy that used to play there. He’s got all the tools to be a special player. Working at it ... it’s a process. Staying healthy is the big thing. But I really like where he is right now.”

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He left as a free agent to join LeBron James in Miami last season, but ever since he announced his retirement in The Plain Dealer last fall, it has been only a matter of time before he rejoined the franchise in some capacity.

"It was a no-brainer," Ilgauskas said. "I think everybody knows how I feel about the city of Cleveland. Everybody knows how I feel about this organization and the fans and the people of Cleveland. It has been a home for me and my family for a long time and it always will be home."

The Cavs felt the same way.

"We are very pleased to have Z begin the next phase of his basketball career with the Cavaliers, and I am looking forward to working closely with him," Grant said in an email announcing Ilgauskas' appointment. "Z has always had a great desire to learn and succeed and he already has a deep understanding and appreciation of the game and the NBA. We are extremely happy to welcome him back as part of our franchise."

No mention was made on Wednesday about retiring No. 11 in honor of Ilgauskas, but that surely can't be far away.

"If that day ... comes," Ilgauskas said, "that would be a great honor and a big accomplishment that I'll be really proud of."

In the meantime, he's taking his new job seriously -- and slowly.

"I need to learn a lot," said Ilgauskas, whose family will remain in Miami to give his wife and two young sons some stability. "Being a player is great, but there's a lot more work that goes in to a front office -- scouting and talent evaluation and drafts and free agency. I'm willing to work on all those aspects.

"I think I do bring a unique experience. Being a player for 14 or 15 years, you see things a little differently. I played with a lot of players. I played with good players. I played with bad. I played on good teams. I played on bad. I've seen it all.

"But there's a learning curve ... just have to be patient and willing to work and I'm going to do that. Hopefully I can help this organization, help Chris and help everybody else move it forward in the right direction. That's all I'm focusing on right now."

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