AJC Praises ZaZa

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http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/ha...05/12hawks.html

Pachulia may be a big help

By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 10/12/05

The Hawks' remaining mystery from training camp was solved in the first eight minutes of Tuesday night's preseason opener against Orlando at Philips Arena.

Zaza Pachulia played flawlessly and without a break. He scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and didn't miss a shot.

BILLY SMITH II/Staff

(ENLARGE)

Joe Johnson, the Hawks' biggest offseason acquisition, had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his debut.

Since Pachulia says as little as possible, his actions will have to speak for him for now. And his performance against his former team — he spent his rookie season with the Magic — spoke volumes.

Pachulia's adjustment from reserve to starter might not be as difficult to navigate as he thought. Tuesday night was just a preseason contest, a 104-93 Hawks loss, so perhaps it's bit early to start giving Pachulia rave reviews.

But his work against the Magic — he finished with a team-high-tying 18 points, six rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes — was exactly what coach Mike Woodson wanted to see from the player expected to man the middle for the Hawks this season.

"I think anybody playing the power forward or center position has to be a dirty-work player," Woodson said, "especially if you're not a great scorer or a finesse player who's dunking on people and blocking shots above the rim all the time.

"I think Zaza is that kind of guy. And if we can get [efforts like Tuesday night] out of him the rest of the way, we'll be all right."

Pachulia traded elbows and baskets with one of the league's best young big men Tuesday night. Former Southwest Atlanta Christian star Dwight Howard started slower than usual but finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Pachulia will have tougher nights — Shaquille O'Neal is on the schedule a few times this season. But it's what he signed on for when he joined the Hawks this summer.

"This is what I've been working for the last two years," said Pachulia, 21, who began his NBA career as a 19-year-old rookie in Orlando. "I had six starts in my career before this year. But this is a totally different thing. There are a lot of young guys like me, a different system, different city, and I'm starting from the beginning of the season."

Pachulia was the third-string center and a backup power forward in Milwaukee last season. But when the Bucks drafted Andrew Bogut with the No. 1 pick in the June draft, Pachulia's services were no longer needed in Milwaukee.

• Other Hawks debuts: Joe Johnson finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six turnovers in his Hawks debut and first NBA game as a starting point guard. Rookies Marvin Williams (12 points, four rebounds) and Salim Stoudamire (seven point, four assists) also made their Hawks debuts in Tuesday night's loss.

[Buzzard]

He could be the "steal" of free agency. Man it would be great to have a real deal sleeper come our way for a change!