Marcin Gortat talks his current situation, his offensive development, and the possiblity of staying in Orlando
Marcin Gortat’s mood was very interesting today at the summer league. While talking to reporters, he initially said he felt like Orlando was going to match the Mavericks’ offer because they hadn’t been able to sign another big man. Then, when a reporter informed Gortat that the Magic signed Bass, he pretty much conceded that his days were done in Orlando.
How does the Brandon Bass signing affect your situation?
Marcin Gortat: I haven’t heard anything about it. If that’s what happened, it doesn’t look like they’re going to pay all this money for a backup guy who’s going to play 10 minutes a game. That explains a lot to me, and I just have to get ready for a trip to Dallas.
How would you rate your offensive game?
Marcin Gortat: I believe my offensive game is on a good level right now. I just didn’t get a chance to show people in the league. My role on the team was to play defense, to rebound and block the shots, run the break, give as much energy as I can. I still believe my offensive game is pretty good. It’s not great, but I think it’s pretty good. Obviously I’m going to work on my game and I’m going to try and show it.
Do you feel like you haven’t been given a chance to show your offensive game?
Marcin Gortat: I think there are a couple of teams who have seen me play back in Europe, and national teams and summer leagues and certain tournaments in Europe. But I don’t think a lot of teams have seen me play as an offensive guy in the NBA.
NOTE: After the jump, there’s a transcript of the portion of the interview before he learned of the Brandon Bass signing. He even goes on to say “I think they will,” when asked about the Magic matching the Mavericks’ offer.
Do you think there’s any chance the Magic will match the Mavericks’ offer?
Marcin Gortat: I think they will. At least that’s what I feel like. What’s going to happen later? We’ll see. All of this is like an iceberg, and you never know. You can laugh, you can smile, but at the end of the day people are saying they won’t match, they won’t match, but then at the end of the day you realize they might match. I’m pretty cool. I’m pretty chilled. I’m down right now and I don’t think there’s anything else to be worried about that.
Do you feel like it’s a win-win situation in either city?
Marcin Gortat: That’s the point. It’s not like it’s going to be a win. Either way it’s going to be a great situation for me. Either way I’m getting paid. But the thing is that I want to develop my game. I want to become a better basketball player at the end of the day. And obviously, Orlando is going to give me a lot of chance to develop my game, but I don’t know that they can give me the same minutes that Dallas can give me. We’ve got to be honest about that.
What do you think your role would be if you came back to the Magic?
Marcin Gortat: I don’t think I’m going to be a point guard, but I’m definitely going to be backup for Dwight and I’m going to fight for being able to get some time at the 4. Now that Brandon Bass is here, I don’t know. Paying so much money for a backup center, I don’t know if that’s going to work.
Would you be disappointed if the Magic match the offer and you’re forced to stay?
Marcin Gortat: Not at all. There’s a team that invested a lot of time in me. Not only 2 years in the NBA, but the 2 or 3 years before I got into the NBA to develop my game before the summer league and in the summer league. I’ve been with this team since 2005. I won’t be disappointed. I feel really comfortable here in this city and in this organization.