Now, I will say this, Zaza Pachulia has a lot of experience in the NBA as a veteran, and has been able to play alongside greats such as "T-MAC" (Tracy McGrady) and the "German Jesus" (Dirk Nowitzki). I applaud him for that, but can we just look at this?
Can we step away from the bandwagons and jokes and just think rationally here? There's no way -- just absolutely, positively, no way that Pachulia deserves to start in an All-Star game more than Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard, New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis.... basically everyone under him in that list.
And here's why:
5. Branding
For the second year in a row, Pachulia has gotten vote totals that far exceed what his on-court performance would seem to deserve. Last season, when he played for the Dallas Mavericks, he finished fourth in the Western Conference frontcourt voting behind Kobe Bryant, KD and Kawhi Leonard, missing only by 14,000 votes.
I'll just come right out and say it: just because Zaza Pachulia is on the Golden State Warriors and plays alongside Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, does NOT make him an All-Star. Glad we're all on the same page now.
4. Consistency
Kawhi Leonard - 10 30-point games this season.
Anthony Davis - seven games this season, scoring at least 35 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks; three consecutive games with 35 points or more.
Karl-Anthony Towns - 10 straight double-doubles (29 points and 17 rebounds) this season.
Zaza Pachulia - none this season.
3. Basic Fundamentals
Just watch it. He's surely proving something.
2. Entertainment
Let's be honest, ok? We always hear people talk about how they can't wait to watch players like Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins or Anthony Davis play. This season, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Karl-Anthony Towns are definitely catching people's attention. When was the last time you heard someone excited to watch Pachulia play?
When was the last time you saw him do this?
1. Statistics
DeMarcus Cousins - 28 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season.
Blake Griffin - 21.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season.
LaMarcus Aldridge - 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this season.
Zaza Pachulia - 5.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season.
If I haven't been able to get through to you with this, maybe Michelle Beadle of ESPN will get through to you.