Over the first 23 games of the season, Zaza Pachulia averaged 4.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while shooting just over 49 percent from the field.
Over his final 47 appearances, he registered 6.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 55 percent shooting.
“In the beginning, I was reading a lot, my ears were kind of open and hearing a lot,” Pachulia told Sean Deveney of Sporting News. “I think that was not the right thing for me to do. It was affecting me in a negative way after I was reading so much of these critics.
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"But I am thankful to my coaches for telling me and reminding me not to listen to that stuff. The most important thing for me is to listen to my coaches and my teammates, are they comfortable with me being part of this team? They were, and that’s what motivated me, changed my approach.
“When I stopped paying attention to it, the game became so much easier. Because I was worried about the real stuff, not the stuff I shouldn’t be worried about.”
Pachulia took less money in free agency to sign with the Warriors.
He is making $2.9 million this year under the "room exception."
Golden State Warriors
"It was a risk, right? But I made the decision and the kind of person I am, I don’t regret a decision once I make it," Zaza said. "If things don’t go the way I am expecting them to go, then that is just the experience. I am not going to look back and cry about it.
"But, second thing, I am glad I made the decision because it has been an amazing journey and ride so far. Hopefully, it is going to be better before we finish it because it is a really special moment to be part of this amazing organization. I don’t worry about the money. Dub Nation, it is priceless.”