It might seem a little early for a wait-until-next-year theme, but reserve C Marcin Gortat, the rookie from Poland, already has set his sights on the 2008-09 season. Gortat is the only healthy player on the 15-man Magic roster who hasn't played in a game this season. And it doesn't look like he will. Van Gundy just doesn't think he's ready for NBA prime time, and he has told him.
"It's kind of weird hearing that you're not going to play but I've accepted it, and I'm already thinking about next season," Gortat said. "I'm going to keep working as hard as possible and improve enough to play. I practice against the best big man in the league [Howard] every day. I'm going to get better."
"I will come back next year more ready to play," Gortat said.
O-Sen: Gortat not ready for prime time
THis make a lot of sense. Marcin is not an NBA Center. He was brought over to practice for a year. Next year, he could develop into an OK player, if the Magic even have a roster spot open.