Where does Nikola Vucevic rank among All-Time Magic Centers?
Marcin “The Polish Hammer” Gortat only started to get his chance in Orlando. Gortat is now thriving for the Washington Wizards in the 2015 NBA playoffs, but at one time he toiled behind Dwight Howard.
Gortat eventually became part of a deal that sent him to Phoenix along with Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and a 2011 first round pick for Earl Clark, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu.
Gortat never really had his chance to truly shine with Orlando. But in the time he did relieve Howard, we could see the Magic had a bona fide starter in the wings.
Gortat finished No. 3 in the NBA in field goal percentage this season and ranks No. 14 among all-time active players in field goal percentage. He also finished ninth in the league in blocked shots last season.
With Orlando, Gortat averaged 14.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per-36 in the 2010 season, illustrating the potential he would have once given starter’s minutes. Gortat is an above-average athlete and he has good defensive instincts. The Polish Hammer is one of the better pick and roll defenders in the league, and he rolls well on offense too. He’s carved out a nice career since leaving Orlando, and it only hurts a little because it seems the return on his trade should have been a lot higher. There had been rumors that he may even be good enough to bring back a high lottery pick in a trade, but that ultimately never came to fruition (indicating it was likely not based in fact).
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