The player on the Warriors that everyone is talking about right now isn’t named Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant or Draymond Green. Rather, journeyman center Zaza Pachulia has been thrust into the spotlight in an unflattering manner.
Spurs star Kawhi Leonard injured his already tender left ankle during the third quarter in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals when Pachulia moved into Leonard’s landing spot after Leonard released a jump shot. Leonard did not return, which turned into a game-changing development. Golden State was able to wipe out a 25-point deficit and escape with a victory, something that probably wouldn’t have happened if Leonard had landed cleanly and remained in the game. Leonard is likely to miss Game 2 and his status for the remainder of the series is questionable.
Afterward, the Spurs’ franchise player was diplomatic and didn’t criticize Pachulia for the way he closed out defensively. Coach Gregg Popovich expressed a totally different viewpoint on Monday, ripping Pachulia for a “totally unnatural” act and said Pachulia has a history of careless and dangerous plays. Popovich added that it didn’t matter whether Pachulia intended to harm Leonard, comparing him to a driver who commits manslaughter because he or she was texting at the time.
No, he should not be suspended. If he was looking down and clearly calculating where he thought Leonard might land, sure. But as Rome mentioned today, it’s a non-graceful 7’0″ center trying to close out on a three. It’s an unfortunate play but I don’t believe it was a malicious one.
There was no intent to injure Kawhi I think. It wasn’t malicious or anything so a suspension would be a bit much.
I think Zaza is dirty just like the whole DAMN Warriors team. YES they should suspend his DIRTY ASHFORD the entire Conference Finals or injure Curry knock him out and see how they like. Ops it was an accident…
Wow , you’re ignorant.
Same… not…
LA got his gigantic feet into Curry’s landing space only a few minutes later, and Curry fell backwards onto the ground. no foul call. it happens all the time and no one is calling any of those people dirty. jealousy is blinding, I guess.
This play was accidental. He was lookin away when it happened.
Pachulia is unfortunately an awkward guy who bumbles a lot.
Remember it was him who awkwardly landed on teammate Kevin Durant and injured his knee mid-season. Its no different here.
I was very surprised to see Pop leave Kawhi in the game after the first ankle twist earlier in the quarter.
He won’t be suspended. A lumbering oaf like zaza really isn’t as calculated as most people want to believe.
I expected better from Pop. He is a hypocrite, bully, and now it seems a poor loser. Maybe the best coach ever but the grumpy old man routine is getting old. Time to retire with the rest of the grumpy old men.
Before he follows in Phil Jackson’s shoes… lol.
He is a great coach and just defending his best player, albeit with dramatics.
He shouldn’t be suspended but the play seems a slight bit dirty. I think Zaza was playing quite physical on Kawhi during that play and I’d think Zaza shouldn’t be too surprised what happened.
Zaza is irresponsible for sure, just like I said he injured KD his year because he didn’t fall correctly. He’s like a 7’0″ child.
The question of whether or not he meant to injure Kawhi is a no brainer. He didn’t want to hurt him, he just neglected his position and unfortunately they ended up in the same square foot of the floor during that split second. Hardly calculated.
Pop must have forgotten that Bruce Bowman once played for the Spurs.
Somebody was watching the Jump today lol