Zaza Pachulia Unhappy With Playing Time

Pachulia tells the AJC that he’d like more minutes, something he realizes may not happen for him in Atlanta: “In the bigger picture, on a different team it might be a better situation where I am getting more playing time and being more involved,’ Pachulia said. ‘For now, I am happy … I definitely want to enjoy this year and do my best for this team.’ Pachulia’s playing time had been sporadic over the past five games before Atlanta played at Portland late Sunday. He didn’t play at Phoenix on Wednesday as the Hawks were engaged in trade discussions and he also stayed on the bench for Friday’s game at Golden State. Pachulia, who is under contract for the two seasons following this one, said that since the season started he hasn’t talked to coach Larry Drew about his minutes. He said Drew was aware of his displeasure with playing time under Drew’s predecessor, Mike Woodson, for whom Drew was an assistant. ‘Bottom line is whenever I get a chance to get on the court I am trying to do my best and help the team,’ Pachulia said. Drew said he played Josh Powellahead of Pachulia at Golden State because the team had lost five of six games ‘and I wanted to make sort of a change to give us a different look and jump start us a little bit.’ He said he liked Powell’s production in that game and so may stick with him ahead of Pachulia in the rotation.”