Tyminski (journalist): When we spoke at the beginning of the season you've had far worse record, well-below .500. Since, a lot has changed!
Gortat: If I had to point out the most important element that contributed to this change, I'd have to start with saying that after those two months we finally chilled as a team. At the beginning all of us were tensed, we were playing with the belief that after the coach change we need to enter the season at the highest possible level, individually, to develop a more important position in the roster. Fortunately, it is no more a problem, and there is more of a team-plays. We can play that way, because our bench definitely found their rhythm. Then, there is the John Wall thing, who finally got rid of all his 'injuries backlog'. And I don't have to convince anyone that John is a leader who integrates and facilities our game.
Tyminski: But he had troubles with his hand recently, again.
Gortat: Yeah, he hooked a thumb on the shirt, firmly tugged and pulled tendons. He survived, however.
Tyminski: Tough guy!
Gortat: Oh, that's for sure! He was ready to fist-fight with Jae Crowder just after our game ... You know, Crowder is a bit of a poseur who really wants to be seen as the
bad guy in the league, a guy who is too tough for others. But I guess you have seen that John throw a left hook and Crowder saw nothing, not even John's hand right in front of his eyes. It's good that John was stopped right before striking, because instead of $15,000 penalty for the "wave of the hand" he would be fined with a half a million for hitting Crowder. Marcus Smart, who stood next to them, is also a fight-seeker. This is a ganbanger (
krii - I believe that is what Gortat meant, like a 'pussy member of the gang' who is, however, still playing like a macho. It might be my misinterpretation though as literally he said 'he is a guy from the gang', who - if I remember correctly - was chased with guns around the parking on a Draft Day. They thought that they can transfer such habits to the NBA. John and Bradley Beal
tickled them during a game with some trash talk and the tough Boston guys were out of their nerves.
Tyminski: New 'Bad Boys'?
Gortat: Bruh ... (
krii - literally it means 'come on' whilst written but if used during the conversation it might be as well translated as 'bruuuuuh' 
You can believe me or not, but if it really came to serious events, few would be able to jump on Wizards (
krii - well. Gortat's father was the Olympics medal boxer. I bet he still remembers some moves ). In Boston they had to put bodyguards in between our changing rooms, because, you know ... they'll move one and all 15 would go for it. But you know, we are not fools, not the one who will first jump into the fight, and later be like 'ow! that these half-million penalty could be spent with greater benefit!'.
[GORTAT NEVER PLAYED AS MANY MINUTES.
BLUE: average time played during the season
RED: minutes : seconds
WHITE: career average]
Tyminski: You can see the team spirit. How much could you credit Scott Brooks for what has changed in the team during his tenure, compared to the previous season? When you look at the numbers, it's about the same as last year. After forty games you were at 19-21. Now you are at 21-19.
Gortat: Brooks is the coach who spend more time talking to the players, rather than just communicating them his decisions. Randy Wittman - with whom, after all, I don't have any conflict - was, and will probably remain, an 'old-school' coach. He chose the outdated methods to manage a team that were quite standard in the days when he was still a player.
Tyminski: How does this change looks in practice?
Gortat: Brooks' workouts are short, we focus on the most important elements. Coach was sometimes joking that he would like us tortured in training, because we deserved it; yet he cannot, because then we will not have even a hint of a chances to repeat this plays during the games. Brooks really cares, as shown by medical research, whether certain player has some signs of fatigue. It also happens that during the main part of the training sessions starters sit on the side and just watch how other players play. Training is important to sustain a form, but the most important thing are to be shown during games.
Tyminski: Compared to Scott Brooks, nobody gave you so much time on the court during your career. On the other hand, no other Wizards starter, once gets a ball in his hand has it for as little time.
Gortat: Indeed, we do not have the typical centers' plays drawn, but this is no whim of our coach. This is just a thing in the league. Because tell me: in how many clubs there are classical centers, those above 210 cm and 120 kg
(6"8'/6"9' & 260-264 lb) who would play in offense with their backs to the basket, finishing plays with hooks? Perhaps only DeMarcus Cousins is still on for that to pursue. Even Marc Gasol isn't playing like that anymore, but instead he is looking for a place on the distance, on the perimeter. I must admit that if I had to start today in the NBA, perhaps I would not get a chance to play here ...
Tyminski: So every spare moment to practice three pointers?
Gortat: Naah. This is not the way, because it is not my game. It is known that I'm doing the pick n rolls. I'm good at this, so a few passes goes to me anyway. And besides ... something will fall after my offensive rebounding, after catching some junk ball so I can have those shots someway. Generally, however, they are other things that I have to do on a court: screens, rebounds, rim protection. I have to say that when I look at the direction of changes in the league, I'm worried about Przemek Karnowski
(Gonzaga University). I know Polish fans are waiting for him, I wish him the best, because he's like my little brother, but I'm afraid that he will not find a place for himself in the league. It is a matter of statistics. Generally two pointers, even those closest to the basket, are on a .500 efficiency. The best 3 point shooters have .400 and over from the perimeter. What is more profitable: 10 two-point shots of which half will fall so you have 10 points, or 10 three-point shot of which 3-4 will fall, which gives you 12 points? The trend is such that all the most important things will be decided on the perimeter
Tyminski: There will be no Pole in the All-Star Game, although mobilization among Polish fans was really huge. This is all not enough though. Besides Wizards would not have three players in the All-Star Game, and John Wall and Bradley Beal have priority.
Gortat: I have to thanks all my fans in Poland. I have to thank you now and I will thank you later on Twitter. I saw that a couple of Polish journalist reminded to vote for me. That was really great, thanks! Every time I opened my Twitter there were hundreds of new votes. But you know, I can't beat John Wall. In the same time he had a couple of thousands votes. And still the latest news were that he is far from being the starter. I bet out first weeks played a huge role in the voters' choices.
ps. sorry for any grammar/stylistic errors. I was translating this piece in 10 minutes and didn't have time to overthink
Source: http://www.przegladsportowy.pl/koszykowka/nba,marcin-gortat-bez-napinki-gramy-lepiej,artykul,751394,1,299.html
