Detroit Pistons player review: Zaza Pachulia

Zaza Pachulia signed a one year deal with the Detroit Pistons to play the backup position behind Andre Drummond. How did he turn out for the Pistons?

Two time NBA Champion Zaza Pachulia had just come off back-to-back seasons playing with the Warriors and winning a ring in both of those seasons. Instead of resigning with the Golden State Warriors, he chose to help another team develop and win games. He signed a one year deal with the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons had to make room for Pachulia to join the team. So they waved Eric Moreland off the team. Moreland’s contract was non-guaranteed; meaning they did not have to pay him that season.

Many fans did not like the move due to Moreland’s development and chemistry with the team. And they felt like Moreland could do more with the team than Zaza could.

Pachulia isn’t a fan favorite player. Most people know him for his dirty plays. Most notably his dirty play against Kawhi Leonard in game one the 2017 Western Conference Finals.

He’s one of those players that you hate to play against but love him when he’s on your team. Which was true really early on the season.

Early on the season Andre Drummond had fouled out in the final minutes of the fourth quarter versus the 76ers. Zaza was asked to guard Joel Embiid in overtime. Zaza would eventually steal the ball from Embiid to help secure the Pistons a win.

This wasn’t the only good Pachulia did early on. He set good screens and passed the ball well for the Pistons bench unit. He was looking like a great signing over Moreland.

In the first 47 games, the Pistons were a net rating per 100 possessions of -0.2 when Pachulia was on the court and a -3.2 when off the court. He was actually helping the bench unit.

Then the next 35 games happened. Andre Drummond had come back after missing a couple of games with a concussion injury. Zaza Pachulia become unplayable.

The Pistons were a net rating per 100 possessions of -11.4 when on the court and +7.9 when off the court. The Pistons were forced to play wonky lineups to bandage the bleeding that Zaza brought.

And this continued into the playoffs. He was unplayable against the Bucks.

Overall Zaza Pachulia averaged 3.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game on 44 percent shooting in 12.9 minutes per game.

Just to put things into perspective. Reggie Jackson had 14 dunks this season. Zaza Pachulia had 4!