After a one-season hiatus, one of the NBA’s most bizarre yet comical friendships has once again joined forces. Well, not quite as Zaza Pachulia has joined the Warriors front office as a consultant after one season playing for the Detroit Pistons.
With Pachulia set to reunite with former teammate Klay Thompson, let’s take a look back at some of the more hilarious moments in what is one of the NBA’s strongest bromances.
October 21, 2016
Klay was frustrated after practice about blowing a tire on the way into the facility. A reporter asked which teammate Thompson would call first if he needed help with a tire, and he mentioned Zaza.
Klay Thompson blew a tire on the way to the facility today. Said Zaza would be best Warrior to help him: "He looks the most resourceful" pic.twitter.com/4GJB7WYJ1u
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 21, 2016
“(Pauses to think, smiles) Probably Zaza, he just looks like a handyman. I don’t know. He looks like he could lift a car. You don’t need a tire jack with Pachulia, he’ll just lift your car for you,” Thompson said.
December 5, 2016
After Klay’s record-setting performance, his locker neighbor shared a selfie congratulating Thompson.
This guy next to me was on 🔥🔥🔥today. 60 points👀
Way to go my man @KlayThompson pic.twitter.com/P55oh9s4TA— Zaza Pachulia (@zaza27) December 6, 2016
May 12, 2017
After a playoff game in which Zaza scored seven points and Klay scored six, Pachulia was not about to let his All-Star teammate forget about it, giving a gift to remember the special night by.
Zaza Pachulia handed Klay Thompson a framed SF Chronicle at practice today. pic.twitter.com/5gXNVaCVYO
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) May 12, 2017
Thompson responded the same day with his own shot at the big man's ability to fish.
A lot to enjoy here
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 12, 2017
1. Picture itself
2. Klay's Bone Thugs shirt
3. Klay's caption
4. Zaza's response
5. This budding, random bromance pic.twitter.com/AP2d6ikTqI
"Nice photoshop Klay," Zaza replied on the Instagram post.
June 8, 2018
Once the Warriors clinched a second consecutive NBA championship, Pachulia tried to get a classic family photo during the celebration. No surprise here, but one of his teammates had to jump in.
August 24, 2019
After Klay posted a vacation selfie from France, his former teammate had to chime in.
Klay posts cute photos from France, and naturally, Zaza roasts him. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/rFHL9yTDZK
— Ali Thanawalla (@Ali_Thanawalla) August 24, 2019
"Finally somebody loves you bro," Zaza commented.
[RELATED: Watch Klay Thompson knock down jump shots to delight of Warriors fans]
I for one can’t wait for more viral moments between these two, although the dynamic may be different now that Pachulia has a role in the front office as opposed to on the roster.