Zaza Pachulia centre-forward of Georgian national team and one of the best clubs of NBA “Atlanta Hawks” is having a perfect season. After injuring Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia replaced him in   ”Hawks”(nickname of “Atlanta”) and he justified hope of head coach of the club – Larry Drew. Time by time Zaza spends more and more time at the gym and scores double-double. Against “Washington Wizards” he scored 10 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists.

 In the previous match against “Juta Jazz” Georgian basketball player spent 54:10 minutes, which was record time for him in NBA. During this period he scored 15 points, 20 rebounds and 3 block-shots (the sixth time in his career), 2 assists and 1 turnover. Before this match “World Sport” connected to Zaza Pachulia.

- After announcing lock-out in NBA, 2011-12 basketball season started a bit later. Was such rhythm difficult for you?

- For nine years I have been in NBA and we have never had such season. It is a really mad-house, so many matches in a very short time.

There are 400 basketball players in NBA. Only 60-70 players from them play for several teams in lock-out period. Among them was I, for several times I played in Turkey (“Galatasaray”). That’s why I was in a good condition and did not have difficulty to get on such rhythm.

- When your competitor –Al Horforw is able to play?

- Horford’s injury appeared so serious, that he will not be able to play in this season. Horford is my friend and I was very sorry when he injured, but it is very common for every sportsman.

- While his absence, your playing time increases. You proved to head coach that you deserve to play in the main staff..

- I am very happy that I play for a long time. I try to do my best and use this chance. For several years I used to play for fifteen minutes, but now I am full of energy and can play in tense schedule.

- You have the same duty now as you had before…

- Yes, nothing was changed. My duty is rebounds. The main thin g is that managing board of the club is satisfied with me.

- You score very often double-double in this season. Which is the most remarkable match for you?

- I needed 3 assists for scoring triple double against “Washington Wizards”. For central forward 7 assists are too much.

- As you mentioned for 9 years you have been in NBA. It is your seventh season in “Atlanta”. What about your plans?

- Nothing is as pleasant as playing basketball. It is entertainment as well as business for me. I am just 28. I want to play as far as I can. In a word until I am in good physical condition I will play.

- As far as you know, Georgia is in group D with Bosnia, Latvia, Holland and Romania. How do you think, do we have chance of going through final stage?

- I cannot name outsider in your group. All matches should be very important and serous for us.

- Once in an interview with “World Sport” you said that you are going to have 5 sons and create basketball team of Pachulia. You already have 2 sons, are you going to have a child in the future?

-  Now we are expecting a daughter in July. As for creating a basketball team, now there are three little “mad-houses” at home. When they grow up, then I will think about creating a team.

- Have you chosen a name?

-  I am going to give her my mother’s name – Maiami.

- In July your wife is to give a birth to a child, in August European championship starts…

- I will play for national team in any case, but I will come in Tbilisi without a family. We have to gain right to play at Basket-2013.

Roland Labuchidze