Zaza Pachulia has been in Atlanta — at least mentally — for 10 days.
The former Hawks center, a fan favorite, spent eight seasons in Atlanta before signing with the Bucks as a free agent this summer. He has looked forward to Thursday’s game for nearly two weeks.
“Atlanta became my home,” Pachulia said. “This is the first time I’m not playing in my home. I’m playing in a different city. That is what we are dealing with in coming back home. It’s a great feeling. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the season, in the offseason, when you are away from your home you miss everything. I’m no different.
“I’m just a regular person dealing with the same thing being here in the city of Atlanta. There are a lot of great memories here — a lot.”
Pachulia said he would need “at least” 50 tickets for family and friends to attend the game, including a large population of friends from his native Republic of Georgia. Pachulia maintains a residence in Atlanta and said he always will, calling the city his home in the United States. He was married and had all three of his children in Atlanta.
“Mostly, I got love from the fans and the city inside of my heart,” Pachulia said. “That is the most important thing. That thing is priceless. The love is priceless. I was proud of that. Atlanta and Zaza is a good match. I belong to this city, and this city belongs to my heart.”
Pachulia signed a three-year, $15.6 million contract with the Bucks this summer as an unrestricted free agent. He let Hawks management know his desire to stay, but chose the Bucks from offers from several other teams. Pachulia has started at center for the Bucks since an injury to Larry Sanders.
“I’m not going to lie,” Pachulia said. “I wanted to stay here, but I went to the team who wanted me the most. That’s what makes me so comfortable about it.”
Reunion tour: Pachulia was not the only former Hawk returning to Atlanta. Bucks coach Larry Drew spent nine seasons in Atlanta, the last three as head coach before his contract was not renewed. The Hawks hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach.
In addition to Drew, assistant coaches Bob Bender and Nick Van Exel are on Drew’s staff in Milwaukee. Luke Steele, who was the senior video coordinator for the Hawks, is now an advance scout with the Bucks.
“No bitterness whatsoever,” Drew said of his return. “This is just the NBA. Things happen. I certainly understood their position. I really enjoyed being a part of this. (Co-owner) Bruce Levenson was really good to me. The Gearons (co-owners Michael Sr. and Michael Jr.) were always in my corner from Day 1.”
Only seven Hawks remain from last season’s team who played under Drew.
“I’m sure he wants to play well and have his team make a good showing,” Jeff Teague said of Drew.
Williams misses game: Lou Williams missed Thursday's game for what Budenholzer called "good, exciting family news."
Williams also missed Wednesday’s practice and the morning shootaround for what likely is the birth of a child. The coach did not offer any further details other than to say “everything is OK.”
Williams had not played in the past three games after playing just five minutes against the Trail Blazers.
