Mavs Center heads
back to Bradley Center
Zaza Pachulia makes his triumphant return tonight to Milwaukee, after being discarded in the off-season.
The throw-away center – oddly enough one of the NBA’s best garbage men – was traded for a second-round pick in the off-season, the afterthought in the DeAndre Jordan debacle the Dallas Mavericks went through.
But the debacle turned out to be a godsend for Dallas (21-15), which sits fifth in the Western Conference – two games behind the L.A. Clippers (23-13), oddly enough.
It could be argued Pachulia has outplayed his counterparts, who are paid four times as much as he this season.
Pachulia, who is paid just over $5 million this season, is averaging 10.7 points on 48.6-percent shooting, to go with 10.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.9 turnovers in 28.9 minutes.
Jordan, who signed a 4-year, $87.6 million contract, is averaging 11.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.2 turnovers in 32.8 minutes per game.
Greg Monroe, who signed a 3-year, $51.4 million contract to replace Pachulia in Milwaukee, is averaging 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.7 turnovers.