HoopsHype.com Rumors

We hear about players moving over here in Europe everyday. What is your opinion about that? Do you think about coming back to Europe? Pachulia: I think NBA players who are free agents have a better chance to come play in Europe. For those who have contracts, it’s not that easy. Honestly, right now I’m just focused on EuroBasket. Once it ends, I’ll think about it. RealGM

Atlanta Hawks, Lockout, Europe, Zaza Pachulia 

Zaza Pachulia: There was lot of talking me going to play for Besiktas during lockout.We couldn't agree on the therms and I'm not going to play for them. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Lockout, Turkey, Zaza Pachulia, Besiktas 

Michael Cunningham: .@Zaza Pachulia says via Twitter he could not agree to contract terms with Turkish club Besiktas and will not join the team. #Hawks Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Lockout, Turkey, Zaza Pachulia, Besiktas 

Pachulia, 27, told USA TODAY in a phone interview he expects to finalize the deal early this week. Besiktas is the same team New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams agreed in principle to play for next season, too. If Williams and Pachulia start the season in Turkey, both would be able to return to their NBA teams if the lockout ends. Two other players who spent last season in the NBA are headed overseas, too. Forward Darius Songaila, who played in just 10 games with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2010-11, signed a one-year deal with Turkish team Galatasaray. USA Today

Atlanta Hawks, Turkey, Zaza Pachulia 

If the NBA lockout is not ended by the scheduled start of the 2011-12 season, Hawks reserve center Zaza Pachulia could end up playing in Turkey in the short term. Pachulia, who is under contract with the Hawks for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons for a total of about $10 million, said he has a “verbal agreement” to play next season for Turkish club Besiktas. “They have interest, I have interest and we have talked about price,” Pachulia said. “It’s not official now.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Deron Williams, Lockout, Turkey, Zaza Pachulia, Besiktas 

Unlike most NBA players, Pachulia would not face culture shock playing in Europe. He is a native of bordering Georgia, speaks Turkish and holds a passport from the country. “For me, it feels like going home,” he said. “I played there for six years [as a teenager]. I know a lot of the players, the manager, the coaches. I’m excited.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Deron Williams, Lockout, Turkey, Zaza Pachulia, Besiktas 

Alvaro Martin: NTVSpor.net: #ZazaPachulia also reaches an agreement "in principle" to join #BesiktasColaTurca for duration of the NBA management lockout. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Deron Williams, Lockout, Turkey, Zaza Pachulia 

Zaza dropped by camp and, like Al, said he’s not sure if he would play for his national team this summer because of insurance concerns. Usually the NBA pays for the policies. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Zaza Pachulia, Georgia 

Well, actually, let's talk about the restaurant business. The first restaurant you bought was in Midtown Atlanta, and you named it Eno by Zaza? Zaza Pachulia: Yes, I bought the exisiting business. It used to be called Eno. It had been in business for a while, and I didn't want to make too many changes. It was a Mediterranean restaurant in Midtown Atlanta. High-end. But then the economy had a lot of problems, especially here in Atlanta. So it didn't really work. Might have been location, might have been having the high end image. It just didn't work. So I decided to close it. Food Republic

Atlanta Hawks, Zaza Pachulia 

And right around the same time, you opened the Buckhead Bottle Bar? What was that like? Zaza Pachulia: There's a big difference between having an existing restaurant and creating something totally new. Also, the location is very different, because Buckhead is one of the top Zip codes in the country. Buckhead Bottle Bar is more funk, more fun, a more lounge-y restaurant. Prices are very good, very fair compared to other places nearby. We decided to keep it open late, so we get a dinner crowd and a late crowd as well, and we brought in a DJ. So we made it very fun and tried to make a lot of alternatives for the people. It hasn't even been a year since we opened the place, and we've already won awards from Open Table and some magazines in Atlanta. So we're being recognized, and that's a huge honor for us as business owners. But most importantly, people seem to love it. We just created a fun atmosphere. Food Republic

Atlanta Hawks, Zaza Pachulia 

You're originally from the country of Georgia, which is over next to Turkey. I know when you come to New York City you always go find a Georgian restaurant to eat. Have you ever thought about doing a Georgian restaurant in Atlanta? Zaza Pachulia: Actually, Atlanta has one of the largest populations of people from my country, Georgia. And when people heard I bought a Mediterranean restaurant there were a lot of questions raised, like people wondering if I was going to put some Georgian dishes on the menu. But I think to do it right, you have to start and grow slowly and carefully. Right now I have Bottle Bar and that's a lot of work, and I don't want to take any more time away from basketball. I like it, I'm enjoying it, and we'll see in the future what happens. Food Republic

Atlanta Hawks, Zaza Pachulia 

Before Hawks center Zaza Pachulia took the floor in Orlando on Tuesday night he knew the good vibes he once shared with Magic fans were over. “My rookie year I was fans’ favorite here,” Pachulia said before Game 5 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. “Now I am the most hated.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Zaza Pachulia 

Pachulia’s style has rankled opponents, and now Magic fans don’t appreciate it, either. Pachulia said he wasn’t sure how the ire of Orlando fans might affect him. “I am definitely trying to not think about it,” he said. “We came here to take care of business. We shouldn’t let anything affect us.” Hawks coach Larry Drew said he planned to talk to Pachulia before the game about not letting the jeers get to him. “I’ve seen some crumble, and I’ve seen some players play off it and have phenomenal games,” Drew said. “That’s what I’m expecting from Zaza. It’s not anything he’s not used to. ... Zaza is a pro. I am sure he will handle it the right way.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Zaza Pachulia 

Zaza: “So what do you expect him to say, Dwight keeps elbowing guys? Of course he is going to defend his player. I am not surprised. But I know I am not [flopping]. We are just trying to play basketball. We are trying to win the game. That is our goal.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Zaza Pachulia 

Stan Van Gundy complained that Hawks centers Jason Collins and Zaza Pachulia hit superstar Dwight Howard at every opportunity but flop to the court whenever they face minimal contact. Meanwhile, Collins and Pachulia said that Howard dishes out at least as much punishment as he receives. And the Magic stewed that Richardson received the same punishment as Pachulia. "I don't have any problem with the physical style of play," Van Gundy said. "I like it when guys stand up and fight like men. I think that's what the game's all about. The one thing that frustrates me is all the flopping. Jameer [Nelson] knocked over Jason Collins in the corner last night barely hitting him. "I mean, come on. Enough. I've always been frustrated with that, and I think quite honestly we have to look at the way we coach. The one thing I think referees would have to admit is we don't flop. It's not something we teach. We don't like it. We treat it with disdain. I don't think it should be part of this league, but I have to look at that, because it works in this league." Orlando Sentinel

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy, Jason Collins, Zaza Pachulia 

One could sense that Howard wanted to also lash out verbally against Pachulia — a gifted provocateur — following Friday’s game, but couldn’t quite take the leap. Asked what the Hawks center does to get under his skin, Howard just said, “He’s a pretty good defender,” before looking away and giving a dismissive smile. Another time, when addressing the altercation that resulted in the expulsion and subsequent suspension of Pachulia and Jason Richardson, Howard stopped himself in mid-sentence with a “never mind, I can’t talk about Zaza.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Jason Richardson, Dwight Howard, Zaza Pachulia 

Marc J. Spears: Hawks Zaza Pachulia suspended 1 game without pay for headbutting Magic's Jason Richardson and fighting. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Jason Richardson, Zaza Pachulia 

Marc J. Spears: Magic's Jason Richardson was suspended one game without pay for shoving Atlanta's Zaza Pachulia in the face and fighting. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Jason Richardson, Zaza Pachulia 

After Pachulia fouled Howard, the Magic center elbowed him on the follow-through. Pachulia reacted angrily and Richardson confronted him; Pachulia head-butted Richardson twice and Richardson smacked him in the face. “I never back down, that's for sure,” Pachulia said. “That's just not me.” Both players were ejected for fighting fouls. League policy is to review the plays to determine any discipline. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Zaza Pachulia 

Each team would be hurt by suspensions. Richardson was having his best game of the series and Pachulia provided resistance against Howard in the post. “It's very tough,” Pachulia said. “Nothing was intentional, that's for sure. It was like intensity brought that whole situation there. Now I am sitting here and thinking about what's going to happen next.” Howard was called for a technical foul but Crawford missed the free throw. Howard made 1 of 2 foul shots to cut Atlanta's lead to 81-80 before Crawford provided the dramatic ending. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Zaza Pachulia