Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Stock Exchange: Key Veterans and Summer Mistakes

By Adam McGee

Jan 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) controls the ball against Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Miami Heat defeated the Sacramento Kings 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) controls the ball against Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Miami Heat defeated the Sacramento Kings 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
Nov 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) reacts after scoring during the first half against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) reacts after scoring during the first half against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Buy: Zaza Pachulia As A Difference-Maker

For a man who might be most famous for uttering the words “Nothing Easy!“, Zaza Pachulia is certainly making filling DeAndre Jordan‘s boots look easy in Dallas.

Mainly, it’s what you’re supposed to do — rebound, go play hard, play strong. It feels good when you win the game. – Zaza Pachulia

The Mavericks (11-8) are better than almost anybody expected them to be and that’s in large part due to the way Pachulia is positively impacting his team on both ends of the floor. The 12-year veteran may not be the first player to stand out when you watch a Dallas game, but rest assured by the end you can’t help but have noticed his impact.

The 31-year-old appears to be getting better with every passing season, and that reason can be pinned down to how smart he has become as much as anything else. Pachulia knows where all the lines are drawn in the NBA, and over time he has become an expert at crossing them.

The ultimate irritant for opposing big men, Pachulia may not necessarily outmuscle you on the glass, but his positioning and body work means it can be hard to stop him.

On the defensive end, he’s not a shot-blocker yet nobody will relish attacking him. His lack of foot speed doesn’t get punished, as once again, Pachulia’s experience means that he’s now in a place where he knows exactly when and how to rotate.

Offensively, Pachulia’s free throw line jumper falls enough to keep his opponents honest, and to the same extent, if allowed too much time and space he’ll pick out a teammate as one of the league’s most willing passing centers.

Through 19 games Pachulia is tracking for comfortably the best season of his career. The Georgian is averaging 11.1 points and 10.2 rebounds, and tied, along with Russell Westbrook, for second in the NBA in double-doubles with a tally of 12. Only Andre Drummond has more. LeBron James and Anthony Davis trail Pachulia.

Having been picked up in exchange for a highly protected second-round pick (i.e. for nothing) in the immediate aftermath of DeAndre Jordan’s U-turn signing with the Clippers, Dallas couldn’t be much happier with what they’ve found. Rick Carlisle appreciates the veteran’s efforts:

"“He’s [Pachulia] such an important part of our defense and our offense, because on offense he’s a guy that handles the ball and is a trigger man in a lot of the situations. And on defense, the center is the one that’s behind everybody and sees everything that’s going on, so those guys are really important as communicators.”"

Pachulia was tailor-made for this Mavericks team. He brings the same type of experience that Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams have, yet he’ll stay out of everybody’s way unless he’s required to do otherwise. The perfect role player, and possibly the NBA’s smartest veteran.

Next: If You Can't Stand The Heat, Stay Away From His Paint