PORTLAND, Ore. — At the top of the list of reasons why the Hawks haven’t collapsed in the wake of a major injury to All-Star center Al Horford are forward Josh Smith and guard Joe Johnson.
Not far behind those two is center Zaza Pachulia.
“I think he’s been phenomenal,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said.
That endorsement might surprise anyone who has followed Pachulia’s career with the Hawks. For the past three seasons it seems the team has sometimes looked past Pachulia even when it needs what he can provide.
Through it all Pachulia has remained a fine backup center. He has started 16 games this season because of Horford’s injury and is playing even better.
“It’s a challenge, and I like challenges,” Pachulia said. “That’s how it’s been in my career since Day One. I’m having fun out there. I’m trying to use this [opportunity]. It was sad Al was hurt, but there is nothing you can do about it.”
Actually, Pachulia has done plenty while providing more evidence that he’s a solid big man. It hasn’t always been clear if the Hawks believe that.
Pachulia’s minutes fluctuated at times under former Hawks coach Mike Woodson, even as his production remained steady. It was the same last season with Drew, who at one point favored forward Josh Powell, who now is out of the NBA.
The Hawks discussed trading Pachulia to Houston for Brad Miller at last season’s deadline. Miller now is near the end of Minnesota’s bench.
Collins started three games instead of Pachulia after Horford went down. Collins is effective in a narrow role as a post defender, but Pachulia is superior in scoring, rebounding, passing and is a better pick-and-roll defender.
Drew has even tried rookie forward Ivan Johnson at center instead of Pachulia. Johnson started the second half against Philadelphia on Feb. 4 after Pachulia had a poor start.
After the trade deadline passed last season, Pachulia said he pondered whether he would be better off with another team. Eventually he moved past any hard feelings and now says he’s happy to be a main piece for the Hawks.
“I am not the type of player who makes problems for the team,” he said. “It’s about the wins. I just feel like being on the floor for more minutes allows me to give my presence.”
Pachulia is facing better centers as the starter yet has achieved the difficult feat of increasing both his production and efficiency with more minutes. He still draws fouls at a high rate, holds his own on the offensive boards, is shooting a career-high percentage and has increased his scoring on a per-minute basis.
Pachulia has been even better on defense while handling some of the top centers in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks played the Magic even when Pachulia was on the court against All-Star Dwight Howard. The same thing happened when Pachulia faced Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut. In two games against Indiana, the Hawks outscored the Pacers by 15 points during the 48 minutes Pachulia was matched against Roy Hibbert.
It wasn’t that the Hawks merely happened to play well when Pachulia was on the court: The offensive production for each of those centers dipped below their season norms with Pachulia on the court.
Pachulia compensates for a relative lack of athleticism with energetic play and good positioning. Also impressive is that Pachulia’s foul rate, which was high the last two seasons, has declined this year while he’s still paying his rugged style.
“That’s my game,” Pachulia said. “I can’t play without being aggressive.”
Pachulia is getting the most out of his abilities, but some good opponents have gotten the best of him. It happened recently against Andrew Bynum of the Lakers and Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies.
But, for the most part, Pachulia has been more than adequate as the Hawks’ fill-in starter at center.
“That’s the greatest moments when you bring something good and positive for the team,” Pachulia said. “Especially when you win.”
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