Zaza Pachulia is still the starting center for the Warriors after all this time. It is what it is at this point, Kerr obviously has made his decision. Pachulia and JaVale McGee are different players, bringing different skills to the table. One of the skills that differs the most between them? Dunking the basketball. I’ve done this before, but I’m gonna do it again: would Pachulia have dunked any of the dunks that McGee dunked tonight?
0:07 : This was an alley-oop from Matt Barnes that, while not super-duper high above the rim, would’ve been totally unreachable for Pachulia. Maybe, MAYBE, he would’ve caught it, but that’s about it.
0:17 : Another alley-oop, not very well contested by Donatas Motiejunas. If Pachulia got the timing exactly right, it’s possible he could have barely tip-dunked this one, though it’s more likely he would just tip it in from under the rim.
0:27 : A fast-break leakout slam, probably the most likely for Pachulia. Problem is, he can’t run very fast, so he lack of defenders for McGee on this one would change to a swarm of quicker Pelicans around Pachulia. Still, if Durant’s pass was on point and hit Pachulia right in stride and right on the hands, maybe he can gather and do a weak two-hand stuff.
0:54 : Yet another alley-oop, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that I don’t think I’ve ever seen Pachulia catch a lob. So we’re gonna go with “no” on this one. Change the first two to “no”s as well.
1:25 : LOL