Dubs in-depth: Zaza Pachulia reflects on the 2016-17 Warriors’ dominance

With the NBA season still on hiatus due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the greatness of prior NBA teams is a hot topic.

Steve Kerr already talked about his affinity for the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors squad that only lost a single game in the postseason to capture the NBA Championship.

Another member of that 2016-17 Warriors still has fond memories of the dominance of that particular team.

Big man Zaza Pachulia caught up with NBC Bay Area and was asked about what it was like being a part of the roster that won 67 games in the regular season.

“This might sound selfish, but the atmosphere and energy and chemistry, the type of basketball we played ... I don’t think we’re going see anything like that in the near future, I’m not even talking about the talent. Do we need to talk about talent? It was crazy. Crazy. Listen, in the parking at our facility, on my right side was KD and on my left side was Steph. It was amazing. It’s still amazing.”

I still remember the opening blowout the Dubs suffered against the San Antonio Spurs and how the haters were marveling in it.

Of course, then the Warriors won 16 out of 17 and teams around the league realized quickly how much trouble they were in.

With Kevin Durant joining a 73-win squad from the year before, everyone knew it was just of when, not if Golden State was going to win the title.

Pachulia, who started 70 games in the regular season and then 15 more in the playoffs, knew exactly what his role was on a loaded roster.

“Now that I have so much time, I’m able to look at so much of it, are you kidding me? I’m enjoying every box-out, and every screen. This is the best thing I could have done for this team, set screens for these amazing shooters. We’re winning. We’re destroying everybody. But you actually had to be in the locker room to really understand all of what I mean. A lot of people might wonder what I’m talking about. But I’m telling you, with all the details, the small details, the big details, winning a championship, building relationships, friendships, caring about each other, enjoying it and having fun. Man, it was priceless.”

I don’t think we will see a team as dominant as the 2016-17 Warriors again for a long time in the NBA. The timing of the bump in the salary cap with the new TV deal and KD becoming a free agent worked out perfectly for the Dubs.

To have that collection of talent on one roster, with everyone in their prime was special.

To me, the 2016-17 were the true definition of the concept of a “Super Team” and I don’t think we will ever see another one like it.

Other than the title clinching win, what moment of the 2016-17 NBA Playoffs stands out most to you?

Now onto some more Warriors links:

Don Nelson knew Steph Curry would be an All-Star PG, but not a 2x MVP (95.7 The Game)

Steph Curry and Storm Reid team up for athlete short film (Deadline)

Re-drafting the 2003 NBA Draft Class (Bleacher Report)