The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Zaza Pachulia
C - 6’11, 270lbs - 34 years old - 15 years of experience
Beginning this season in the same fifth starter role that had been so successful last season, Zaza Pachulia eventually saw his role dwindle away to the point where, in the playoffs, he barely appeared at all. The Warriors tried various different looks in the front court, and eventually decided that the athleticism and finishing of JaVale McGee, combined with the perimeter defence of Kevon Looney, plus whatever they could get from the athletic if slightly sporadic Jordan Bell and the infinite wisdom of David West, was better suited to their playoff matchups then Zaza was.
That is not to say that Pachulia was any less effective this year than in the past. Of course, he did not improve any; now at the age of 34, it seems unlikely he will ever become a three-point shooter off the dribble or a slam dunk champion. Nevertheless, in finishing well around the basket, in clearing the defensive glass at a decent rate, in passing out from the interior wherever possible, in using his hands defensively and even making the occasional foul-line jump shot, Pachulia is sticking to the same package of skills that got him to this point, the point where he is a role player worth having on a multi-time championship winning team.
With the Warriors having gone away from Zaza down the stretch of the season and with him again entering unrestricted free agency this summer, his two years with the team in this role may not extend beyond this season. Not unless he's prepared to take the minimum. And even then, it may be worth seeing what this thing can get from Damian Jones. Nevertheless, for two years now, Pachulia has done exactly what was asked of him, and he has done it well.
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C - 6’11, 270lbs - 34 years old - 15 years of experience
Beginning this season in the same fifth starter role that had been so successful last season, Zaza Pachulia eventually saw his role dwindle away to the point where, in the playoffs, he barely appeared at all. The Warriors tried various different looks in the front court, and eventually decided that the athleticism and finishing of JaVale McGee, combined with the perimeter defence of Kevon Looney, plus whatever they could get from the athletic if slightly sporadic Jordan Bell and the infinite wisdom of David West, was better suited to their playoff matchups then Zaza was.
That is not to say that Pachulia was any less effective this year than in the past. Of course, he did not improve any; now at the age of 34, it seems unlikely he will ever become a three-point shooter off the dribble or a slam dunk champion. Nevertheless, in finishing well around the basket, in clearing the defensive glass at a decent rate, in passing out from the interior wherever possible, in using his hands defensively and even making the occasional foul-line jump shot, Pachulia is sticking to the same package of skills that got him to this point, the point where he is a role player worth having on a multi-time championship winning team.
With the Warriors having gone away from Zaza down the stretch of the season and with him again entering unrestricted free agency this summer, his two years with the team in this role may not extend beyond this season. Not unless he's prepared to take the minimum. And even then, it may be worth seeing what this thing can get from Damian Jones. Nevertheless, for two years now, Pachulia has done exactly what was asked of him, and he has done it well.