Gortat Wants a Larger Role in the Offence

[DRK]

Great article/ Interview I found with our own Polish Hammer
I'll post some of it here, and the rest you can read if you click the link

Marcin Gortat recently had a fascinating talk with Przeglad Sportowy's Marcin Harasimowicz after his game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The interview is in Polish, but worry not, there's no Google Translate needed. Because you have me, a bilingual Pole on a mission to share the latest updates in the life of everyone's favorite Polish Gazelle-Hammering Machine. Additionally, the portal reports Gortat rejected an extension for the 2014-15 season, and might be traded, as the Magic, Mavs, Bulls and Celtics are interested in his services. Yikes. Gortat's comments are worth noting for anyone following the Suns franchise and its solid Polish center.

Here's the interview (full interview and my reaction after the jump). All credit to Przeglad Sportowy and Marcin Harasimowicz, of course.

• • •

A lot has changed in the Suns since last season.
Marcin Gortat: Unfortunately, in my case – for worse. I'm certainly not the player I was last season, I need to find my place in the new order. I'm still capable of helping this team, and regularly recording a double double, but when the ball sticks to one person on offence, it's hard to find a good rhythm.

Last season you've scored a lot of points off of Steve Nash pick and rolls. The team doesn't play that way anymore.
MG: That's true, but I can score in various situations. Finishing pick and rolls, in transition, from midrange, around the rim. There are a lot of options. Unfortunately, my two strongest plays – the pick and roll and post-ups have been taken away from me. It's not easy, we have a lot of plays that don't include me. And my chemistry with Goran Dragic hasn't been quite equal to what I had with Steve. These are things that we need to work on.

Coach Alvin Gentry told me that the main post option was Luis Scola. You, on the other hand, are number one on defense.
MG: Unfortunately... I've been doing the dirty work all my life, and now I have to come back to that. I will fight for what's mine. I'll try to prove to the coach that I can play an important role in the offence. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm even an option for Gentry. He doesn't even take me into consideration. The situation is critical. We're playing the same thing we've been playing last year, but the truth is we have a completely different set of players. I don't think it really works. I can't get frustrated now though, I have to stay positive.

The Suns have a lot of players that create for themselves.
MG: We have plenty of players who like to create for themselves, but it doesn't always work. We don't share the ball as much as we have in previous seasons. The ball doesn't move around the perimeter – it usually stops after one or two passes. You can't play like this, let alone win. Basketball is a team sport. Nobody ever won a game alone.

Before the season you were promising a fight for the playoffs, but from the picture painted by the past few games, the Suns don't seem like a top 8 team in the West.
MG: Before the season started, I was a huge optimist. I thought we'd play a completely different game. Right now, it doesn't look good. We still have a lot to learn, and a lot to fight for. We need to fix our team defence. We can't give up a hundred points per game. We'll see how it works out. Right now, I'm not losing hope, there's still a shot at the playoffs.

Did the coach honestly tell you what he expects from you?
MG: We've talked before the season started. He said he expects me to play defence, rebound, block shots and quarterback the defence. He also said he wanted me to set up in the paint and wait for my shots. And I'm still waiting... (laughter)

What are you expecting in the coming week?
MG: After the game against the Miami Heat, we have a longer break and some time to correct some errors in practice. It won't be easy though.

Maybe you should have an honest conversation with Coach Gentry?
MG: I don't know if it will change anything. But I'll surely have a chat with him.

While in Los Angeles, have you talked to Steve Nash?
MG: Yes, he came in for a visit in the locker room. I can only sigh – too bad he isn't with us any longer...

http://gothicginobili.com/?p=5142




I really dont give a crap what Gortat wants. He already was the first option once, and showed that he cant finish strong enough at the rim.

Quit whining about it, or we'll ship you out.

[rsavaj]

Indeed...http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2012/ ... lish-media

Look, this situation isn't a surprise to me. The season ended last year with Gortat either in or very near Alvin Gentry's dog house. His propensity for shifting blame and inability to do certain things on the court (like box out his man) were frustrating to watch. Even before the season began he was calling for more pick and rolls so he could get his touches despite the fact that the Suns don't have the shooters to space the floor. And as much as we love Goran Dragic, Goran Dragic is no Steve Nash.

Despite those ominous signs, Marcin started things off with a bang. He was a shot blocking machine and was finding his points in a very efficient manner. After recording five blocks, 12 points and 11 rebounds in the comeback win over the Cavs, he's been a virtual non factor culminating in a season-low 23 minutes against the Heat.
...
Przeglad Sportowy also reports that Gortat rejected an extension offer from the Suns and that the Orlando Magic. Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls are interested in trading for him. Wonder where they got that information?

Tat's starting to sound like a real douche. Ship him out!

[rsavaj]

Kerrsed...I think there's a trade machine with your name on it just waiting to be used.

[JJ13]

Found the threa! Agree 100% on above - Avery Bradley, Sullimger and a pick from Boston

[RunDogGun]

I wouldn't mind trading him back to Orlando if trading was our only option. But we would need a SG, O'Quinn, and Nicholson in return. I don't want anymore picks right now. Actually, looking at their roster, I would want Moore, Vucevic, and O'Quinn. We'll throw in a second rounder.

If Gortat was traded for a draft pick, it would have to be on draft day, where we knew an exact pick we were getting in return.

[MathiasPW]

I find it hard to believe a player would make such bold public statements, even to a local (foreign) newspaper.

And then there is the translation error risk, which is not only gramatical, but most of the times also on the meaning of how some words are said. "Hammer", for portuguese-speaking basketball-fans, for example, would mean the guy just can't shoot, in local language.

Take it easy on the hating, Gortat is a great player and has shown so over and over again, even when some of his games have been poor (and then it's always the shortest term memory that we give more attention to).

[garrick]

He would have a larger role on offense if he wasn't blowing open dunks or getting denied by every big man out there near the rim.
Though it is hard to find decent big men in the draft if he's going to be a team cancer then just ship him out and continue rebuilding the team via the lottery.

[rsavaj]

I find it hard to believe a player would make such bold public statements, even to a local (foreign) newspaper.

And then there is the translation error risk, which is not only gramatical, but most of the times also on the meaning of how some words are said. "Hammer", for portuguese-speaking basketball-fans, for example, would mean the guy just can't shoot, in local language.

Take it easy on the hating, Gortat is a great player and has shown so over and over again, even when some of his games have been poor (and then it's always the shortest term memory that we give more attention to).

Most players wouldn't, but Gortat has a history of opening his mouth without a filter. Remember him bashing on Lopez?

And a few Polish bright siders say that the translation's correct.

[MarcoPolo]

As a Pole who read this interview I would say people to calm down. Don't overreact his words. He sometimes says what he has on his mind, but he is not the type of player/person who will call out the coach in front of the public. This was nice friendly interview where Gortat just says what bothers him and what we can see on the court - not getting the ball in offence and some of the players holding it too much slowing the play.

Just few words is enough to you to blame him and even will throw him out of Arizona immediately.. man..

I wouldn't say the translation is correct it's taking small things like something HUGE for me.. but it's just me.

[Mujahydeen]

The problem is he thinks he's better than he really is. That's another entry to long record of his bold statements in Polish media.

[WallabyPie]

Oh, of course Gortat's frustrated. He went from being a 1st/2nd option on offense to no option at all. You can call Gortat soft or whatever you want, but he still shoots +50% from the field. Meanwhile Gentry encourages a guy who's incredibly inefficient to shoot whenever he touches the ball.

[EB2]

Oh, of course Gortat's frustrated. He went from being a 1st/2nd option on offense to no option at all. You can call Gortat soft or whatever you want, but he still shoots +50% from the field. Meanwhile Gentry encourages a guy who's incredibly inefficient to shoot whenever he touches the ball.

Yeah, it's very puzzling to say the least.

[RunDogGun]

Oh, of course Gortat's frustrated. He went from being a 1st/2nd option on offense to no option at all. You can call Gortat soft or whatever you want, but he still shoots +50% from the field. Meanwhile Gentry encourages a guy who's incredibly inefficient to shoot whenever he touches the ball.

You can't rip Gentry's coaching, or lack there of, here.

[Frank Lee]

Is he now a Groaning Ass Man ?



What he says ring true though. But, didn't he also comment on how Nash wasn't responsible for all his offensive success ????

He is, no doubt, our most valuable trade chip. Would hate to see him talk his way into a deal. I don't thing he will be Marion-esque though, youknowahtiamsayin

[JJ13]

Interesting that the Bulls are supposedly interested in Gortat the way Noah is playing...I would do Noah for Gortat straight up. Works in the trade machine

[SunZel]

Interesting that the Bulls are supposedly interested in Gortat the way Noah is playing...I would do Noah for Gortat straight up. Works in the trade machine

Yea, that trade makes no sense for the Bulls. Even if that trade miraculously went through, I doubt Noah would like going from the Bulls to the Suns...I really have no idea why the Bulls would want Gortat. Dallas either.

[snowthedirtbub]

I'm over Gortat. Hes a good player in some games but in big games or games against above average big men his balls shrivel up and turn into a vagina.

[Fo-Real]

The only team out that list who makes sense for Gortat is Orlando, but they dont have the peices that would benifit us. Maybe Reddick Vucevic, Nicholson plus a pick, Reddick would be a pure shooting 2, but a 3rd team would be needed. Maybe we could flip the pick plus one of our picks for Mozgov, he isnt getting any burn in Denver.

[RunDogGun]

The only team out that list who makes sense for Gortat is Orlando, but they dont have the peices that would benifit us. Maybe Reddick Vucevic, Nicholson plus a pick, Reddick would be a pure shooting 2, but a 3rd team would be needed. Maybe we could flip the pick plus one of our picks for Mozgov, he isnt getting any burn in Denver.

That was a very similar deal that I posted. I think those players would be great. Reddick, Vucevic, and O'Quinn was what I was thinking they would go for, but not adding a pick. In fact, I think we would have to add a second rounder, just not one of ours, maybe the worst of either ours or the Denver one.

I think O'Quinn will be a good project big to have, and Vucevic is averaging 8.7 boards a game. I think he would work fine with Scola. Reddick gets the start, and then have Dudley and Beasley fight things out for the backup SF, or Beasley and Morris fight out backup PF.

[dopawcia]

Hi everybody. This is my first post. I've been reading this forum for a long time but never registered... until this thread.
I don't understand all Gortat's haters. He just had the balls to said the truth and you want him to get rid of the team because that or 2-3 bad games he had lately? Are you joking or just have such short memory ?
I'm with him.
In Phoenix game style he is left on his own. He doesnt get passes, inconsistent shooters shoot as much as they want... In defense without Gortat there is a big black hole in the middle (dont forget he is a 2nd league shot blocker and 10th rebounder)...
You said that against a good bigs he can't play well. Look, he is defensively not supported by anybody... and offensively cut out.
Not nice and I understand his frustration.

Touching transfers.
One team should be taken serious - Boston. They need big and Gortat shouldn't have problems to fit there.
thx for reading my thoughts