Familiarity, confidence soar for Pachulia
Late in the third quarter Sunday night, Warriors center Zaza Pachulia caught the ball mid-bounce and tossed it over his head to a streaking Stephen Curry.
It was the type of risky pass that, had it resulted in a turnover, would’ve been the first item discussed in video review Monday morning — but Pachulia delivered the outlet with such accuracy that Curry didn’t break stride as he finished with a layup.
“When you have the confidence, you’re capable of doing anything,” Pachulia said after practice Monday. “As soon as you double-think, things aren’t going to go right, honestly.”
After two-plus months figuring out his role, Pachulia has emerged as a reliable cog. He has averaged 11 points on 16-for-24 shooting over the past four games. Per 36 minutes this season, he is averaging 11.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals. His 83.6 percent clip from the foul line would be just shy of a career best if it holds.
Though hardly a classic interior defender, the 6foot-11, 275-pounder has helped anchor one of the
league’s best defenses. Pachulia was most responsible for holding Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins to an uncharacteristic stat line Sunday: 17 points on 4-for-11 shooting, seven turnovers and four fouls in 29 minutes.
“I feel like he’s getting more comfortable,” forward David West said of Pachulia. “His experience is starting to show a little bit. He knows how to defend certain guys certain ways.”
In the 14th year of an NBA career that has spanned six teams, including two stints with Milwaukee, Pachulia faced perhaps his most daunting challenge yet. The fifth member of a starting five that boasts four All-Stars, he had to learn how to contribute without infringing on what makes his running mates elite.
His first few weeks with Golden State were largely spent observing: How does Kevin Durant come off screens? Where does Klay Thompson prefer to catch the ball for spot-up jumpers? When will Curry turn down the open three-pointer to drive for a layup?
The fulcrum of the Warriors’ offense, Pachulia’s job depends on spacing the floor and finding open teammates. An encyclopedic knowledge of others’ tendencies is imperative. In the early stages of the season, Pachulia often overthought plays. Mounting mistakes made him more and more frustrated.
Now, nearly halfway through the season, Pachulia is relying on instinct. With defenses focused on stopping Durant, Thompson, Curry and Draymond Green, Pachulia takes open shots he would have ignored in past weeks. Pachulia has scored doubledigit points in four straight games after posting just two such games through Golden State’s first 34.
“We’ve never played with guys who move so much away from the ball,” said West, who is also in his first season with the Warriors. “It’s something to get adjusted to, and I think (Pachulia) is doing a good job with it.”
The ability to take and give jokes is an unofficial requirement to fit into the Warriors’ laid-back locker room. An Eastern European big man who loves high-end fashion, Pachulia is an easy target. Durant seizes any opportunity to rib him for his wardrobe or music choice (Pachulia is a big Coldplay fan).
In mid-November, after hitting a wide-open 17-foot jumper in Boston, Pachulia stopped, turned downcourt, shook his hips and — horribly
“I feel like he’s getting more comfortable. His experience is starting to show a little bit.” David West, Warriors forward, on center Zaza Pachulia
off rhythm — slapped his butt twice to mock Durant’s signature shimmy. It was an early sign that Pachulia was acclimating to his new surroundings.
His highlight-worthy outlet pass Sunday to Curry was just the latest example of a player at ease.
“Zaza’s got a little flair to him,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “He likes making plays like that.”