OAKLAND — Zaza Pachulia saw breaking news flash across the screen: Kevin Durant was joining the Warriors. The 13-year veteran remembers exactly how he felt.
“I was kind of jealous of this team,” Pachulia said.
Tides turn quickly in the NBA.
On that same day, the Fourth of July, Pachulia’s agent called and ran down the list of options he had. A new team had been added to the fray. Now with their ducks in a row, the Warriors jumped in at the last minute and had a $2.9 million mid-level exception contract offer on the table.
Considering the gobs of cash being thrown around in the early stages of the NBA’s free agency period, Pachulia admitted he left a lot of money on the table to come to the Warriors. But there was not an ounce of hesitation in his decision.
“This kind of opportunity doesn’t come that often,” Pachulia said.
No it doesn’t. The 32-year-old center has never been past the second round of the playoffs. Pachulia said he would watch the Warriors as often as he could on TV, marveling at their style of play and their uncanny ability to pull out win after win.
In fact, he had no trouble recalling the time Dallas beat Golden State last December. The center scored 15 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and the Mavericks cruised to a 114-91 win.
“It always felt special when you beat the Warriors,” Pachulia said. “Everybody wants to beat Golden State.”
It’s that feeling of envy and jealousy that quickly made Pachulia realize he was now a part of something much different. It’s the Warriors against the world and this team will have to be as tight-knit as ever. He and Steve Kerr had a long conversation about the team’s dynamic and his role. He even heard from one of the team’s leaders right away.
“Draymond texted me the first day,” Pachulia said. “It was great, surprising, a great gesture from him.”
Green and Pachulia’s teamwork together in the post will be an integral part to Golden State’s championship run in 2017. The Spurs added Pau Gasol, the Clippers still have DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin and the Cavaliers signed crafty veteran Chris Anderson to team up with Tristan Thompson. Pachulia wouldn’t tip his hand on whether he’ll be the team’s starting center, but all odds are he’ll be the one jumping in the circle for the opening tip. In 69 starts for the Mavericks last season, he averaged 8.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and shot a fantastic 76.8 percent from the free throw line.
While Andrew Bogut’s defensive presence will be missed, Pachulia’s not just some 6-foot-11 journeyman. He’s got a repertoire of post moves and a grittiness about him that makes him a legitimate option underneath.
“Knowing my game, knowing my abilities, I think it’s a perfect fit,” Pachulia said. “Playing hard, playing tough, rebounding, passing abilities. The guys will benefit from me.”
He later joked: “I’m just curious if I’m going to get any play calls.”
A well-rounded professional with hotels in his native country Georgia, a one-time restaurant owner in Atlanta and a song collaboration with Wyclef Jean, Pachulia will undoubtedly become a Warriors fan favorite. He was gracious with reporters, posed for pictures and signed autographs for campers long after what was required of his time on Tuesday. His character fits perfectly with what GM Bob Myers is trying to build.
Pachulia looked around the team facility and soaked in the Marriott Hotel. He no longer has to be jealous; he’s now a Golden State Warrior with a prominent role.