Gortat says Nash got too much credit

[sunsfan88]

Gortat feels overlooked

Last season, 51 percent of starting center Marcin Gortat’s field goals were assisted by Nash. It is a sore spot for Gortat, who relished Nash publicly often but felt overlooked in the process.

“It is kind of (expletive) up,” Gortat said. “I’m not taking anything away from Steve Nash. He’s a great, great point guard. I mean probably the best point guard I’ve ever played the game with. But at the end of the day, there were a few other big men playing with him and they didn’t succeed. It’s not like Steve Nash, whatever he touches is going to turn into gold. You need a second person who has got some kind of skills and some kind of feeling for the game to make that duo work perfectly."

“I think we were working perfectly. We were No. 1 in the league by the passes and finishes. I’d say there was a little bit of credit for me, too. I finished some hard shots, too, by the way. Some of the little credit should also go on my side.”

Gortat also has to prove he won’t shrink in a big moment. With postseason hopes on the line at Utah in April, Gortat had five consecutive shots in the lane blocked. It was a continuation of his poor shooting in the season’s stretch run. He admitted that his Utah performance haunted him this summer.

“Being that guy who was leading the team most of the games on the boards and in points, then all of a sudden when the main game is coming in, you’re failing,” Gortat said. “It hurts. The only thing I can say is sorry to the fans and I’ll promise to do better.”

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...ost-nash-era-phoenix-suns.html?nclick_check=1

I don't know if he's right or not but I LOVE the fact that Gortat just speaks his mind without worrying about what he's saying. Its been a while since the Suns have had a player like that.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'd like this quote a lot more if Gortat hadnt turned downy soft during the final month of the year. He talks about finishing some hard shots but he was getting served points on a platter during March and April and was botching plays.

If he had played during the final month with the vigor he did earlier in the year then we probably make the playoffs.

 

[Mainstreet]

Gortat seems prone to putting his foot in his mouth although I too enjoy his openness.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'd like this quote a lot more if Gortat hadnt turned downy soft during the final month of the year. He talks about finishing some hard shots but he was getting served points on a platter during March and April and was botching plays.

If he had played during the final month with the vigor he did earlier in the year then we probably make the playoffs.

Yeah, he definitely wore down but he did acknowledge that he let the team down. Still, we wouldn't have been anywhere near a playoff battle if he hadn't played well earlier in the season.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't know if he's right or not but I LOVE the fact that Gortat just speaks his mind without worrying about what he's saying. Its been a while since the Suns have had a player like that.

I think he's right. I have more of a problem with this misleading thread title. His point wasn't that Nash got too much credit, it was that he didn't get enough credit. All you have to do is read this forum last year to see how correct this comment is. A lot of people believed (and still believe) that Gortat's offense was almost entirely a product of Nash. I don't think it was but now Marcin has the chance to show it wasn't. Otherwise, his words are just words and personally, I think we've had enough "talkers" in Phoenix.

Steve

 

[Dr. Jones]

This looks, sounds, and feels like someone has a big pouty face.

pooooooorrrrrr Marcin.

 

[elindholm]

Gortat's numbers this preseason say otherwise.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

No problem with this, very fair

 

[slinslin]

Gortat's numbers this preseason say otherwise.

And last year when Nash was not on the court his FG% dropped by freaking 10% and his rebounding by 2 as well as the rest of his stats.

Basically Gortat and Lopez put up identical per36 numbers when playing with and without Nash. Only difference that Lopez could not stop fouling.

Gortat in his career has done almost nothing without Nash, so it is fair to say that his production will drop considerably. The numbers don't lie and the preseason indicates that exactly that will happen. Gortat has a huge ego obviously, lets see how he handles it, I am ready for some drama.

 

[BC867]

Perhaps Gortat is also thinking, "Steve is gone. Let's look ahead and make the best of what we have."

 

[SirStefan32]

Perhaps Gortat is also thinking, "Steve is gone. Let's look ahead and make the best of what we have."

No, Gortat has a history of saying stupid things. He is approaching the Shawn Marion/ Amare Stoudemire territory when it comes to saying stupid things. He needs to shut up and work on his game. If he can average 20/12, that will speak volumes. Numbers are much more powerful than words.

 

[slinslin]

No, Gortat has a history of saying stupid things. He is approaching the Shawn Marion/ Amare Stoudemire territory when it comes to saying stupid things. He needs to shut up and work on his game. If he can average 20/12, that will speak volumes. Numbers are much more powerful than words.

Imo he has a much bigger mouth than Marion or Amare ever had. Remember what Gortat said in one of his first interviews here when he was a role player that had not done anything noteworthy in the NBA?

At least with Amare you had a player who in his best season was a top 5 MVP candidate so he in my mind had the right to say certain things and be cocky.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No, Gortat has a history of saying stupid things. He is approaching the Shawn Marion/ Amare Stoudemire territory when it comes to saying stupid things. He needs to shut up and work on his game. If he can average 20/12, that will speak volumes. Numbers are much more powerful than words.

If he can average 20/12 we'll be a playoff team. I think he'll average 15/10. As for his "stupid" comments, keep in mind he's a legend in his homeland and he gets interviewed at a much higher rate than his NBA status warrants. Also, ESLers often fall victim to these kind of misunderstandings. Some of what he hears and some of what he says gets lost in the translation. Still, if I were his friend or his agent, I'd caution him to play stronger and talk less.

Steve

 

[AfroSuns]

A lot of people believed (and still believe) that Gortat's offense was almost entirely a product of Nash.

Steve

Yup, i am part of that group.
I think Nash's assist played a huge role in Gortat's offense last season, a heck of a lot more than it did for Amare.
It is now up to Gortat to take his game to the next level. As a starter (maybe even as one of the captains on this team) and without Nash, this season will tell a lot about his skills and character, starting the latter on a crappy note by shooting off his mouth.
I really hope he does well, but i am not overly optimistic.

 

[slinslin]

I think 11/10 is more realistic along with 47%FG

 

[Chaplin]

Gortat has a point, no matter how much the Nash fanboys like to say otherwise. You have to be a finisher to get points, especially at the rim, so Gortat did have that going for him. Remember all the missed dunks and finishes Robin Lopez had? That was also with Nash. So how does that make any sense, that it doesn't matter, Nash will make anyone good and everyone will suck if he isn't around?

 

[slinslin]

Gortat has a point, no matter how much the Nash fanboys like to say otherwise. You have to be a finisher to get points, especially at the rim, so Gortat did have that going for him. Remember all the missed dunks and finishes Robin Lopez had? That was also with Nash. So how does that make any sense, that it doesn't matter, Nash will make anyone good and everyone will suck if he isn't around?

Gortat per 36 with Nash on the floor
18.3ppg 11.5rpg 57%FG 4.6FTA

Gortat per 36 with Nash on the bench
11.9ppg 10.8rpg 47%FG 2.6FTA

Lopez per 36 with Nash on the floor
21.0ppg 8.0rpg 58%FG 10.8FTA

Lopez per 36 with Nash on the bench
12.8ppg 8.5rpg 44%FG 4.8FTA

so it seems to me that cold hard facts suggest Lopez did not miss any more shots from Nash in fact he shot a higher % than Gortat when paired with Nash and scored more points and doubled the freethrows.
The biggest issue was Lopez averaging between 5.1 and 5.3 fouls per 36.

Overall their numbers are close and both dropped of immensely in production when Nash was not on the floor with them. That is a telling story and it is a fact no matter what the "Polish Gazelle" thinks. Gortat faces a huge challenge proving otherwise, I smell trouble brewing if the season goes bad and Gortat averages just 10ppg on under 50% shooting. I wonder what Gortat will be asking for on his next contract in 2 years when he is 30, I am guessing somewhere in the region of 12M$ per.

PS: The Suns should not let him switch to Nash's number obviously. If there has ever been a Sun deserving to get his number retired it is obviously Nash, no need to give that number to a slightly above average NBA starter now.

 

[Superbone]

I think 11/10 is more realistic along with 47%FG

I'd be happy with that but I think the FG% will be a little higher.

 

[BC867]

If Marcin Gortat & Luis Scola are the Suns junior version of Twin Towers, the player who is feared more on the offense and rebounding will be the one more closely guarded and perhaps double-teamed, leaving the one who is less feared to put up better numbers.

I wonder who it will turn out to be. Or will it be different for each opponent?

Dragic's play at the Point will be a factor as well. As will Scola's play as a Point Forward on a fair amount of plays.

 

[Phrazbit]

If Marcin Gortat & Luis Scola are the Suns junior version of Twin Towers, the player who is feared more on the offense and rebounding will be the one more closely guarded and perhaps double-teamed, leaving the one who is less feared to put up better numbers.

I wonder who it will turn out to be. Or will it be different for each opponent?

Dragic's play at the Point will be a factor as well. As will Scola's play as a Point Forward on a fair amount of plays.

I really doubt teams are going to look at our front court and think its something to fear. Two inconsistent unathletic big men who can put up decent stats if given good scoring looks.

 

[SirStefan32]

I really doubt teams are going to look at our front court and think its something to fear. Two inconsistent unathletic big men who can put up decent stats if given good scoring looks.

Yeah really, when I look at Scola and Gortat, I see two good role players, but definitely not something to fear. You feared Duncan and Robinson, you feared Shaq, you feared Olajuwon, not freaking Gortat and Scola.

 

[Covert Rain]

The biggest issue was Lopez averaging between 5.1 and 5.3 fouls per 36.

That was hardly the biggest issue with Lopez. The biggest issue with Lopez is he sucks. He sucks at rebounding, he failed to show up for most games, he played like a 6 footer and with him as our starting Center we were one of the worst in most center categories. He is not comparable to Gortat's jock strap.

 

[devilalum]

Gortat was a decent player on a bad team. Not much to crow about.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Gortat per 36 with Nash on the floor
18.3ppg 11.5rpg 57%FG 4.6FTA

Gortat per 36 with Nash on the bench
11.9ppg 10.8rpg 47%FG 2.6FTA

Lopez per 36 with Nash on the floor
21.0ppg 8.0rpg 58%FG 10.8FTA

Lopez per 36 with Nash on the bench
12.8ppg 8.5rpg 44%FG 4.8FTA

so it seems to me that cold hard facts suggest Lopez did not miss any more shots from Nash in fact he shot a higher % than Gortat when paired with Nash and scored more points and doubled the freethrows.
The biggest issue was Lopez averaging between 5.1 and 5.3 fouls per 36.

Overall their numbers are close and both dropped of immensely in production when Nash was not on the floor with them. That is a telling story and it is a fact no matter what the "Polish Gazelle" thinks. Gortat faces a huge challenge proving otherwise, I smell trouble brewing if the season goes bad and Gortat averages just 10ppg on under 50% shooting. I wonder what Gortat will be asking for on his next contract in 2 years when he is 30, I am guessing somewhere in the region of 12M$ per.

PS: The Suns should not let him switch to Nash's number obviously. If there has ever been a Sun deserving to get his number retired it is obviously Nash, no need to give that number to a slightly above average NBA starter now.

Rather than using weak ass Per 36 numbers that are skewed due to extremely small sample sizes. Lets look at some numbers that seem to be a little more concrete. During the time since Gortat was put into the starting lineup Nash missed 7 games. In those 7 games Gortat averaged 13.1 PPG and 9.4 RPG while shooting 51.3%. This includes a game in which he was 4/13 from the field which significantly brings down his average.

Meanwhile he was putting up these numbers not only without Nash, but with relatively poor PGs such as Telfair, Price and Brooks. This year he will have Dragic dishing him the rock and that should help to ease the transition from Nash. Though I do expect his scoring to possibly take a hit this year, but not because of the loss of Nash as much as the fact that they have more scorers on the team this year than last.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Rather than using weak ass Per 36 numbers that are skewed due to extremely small sample sizes. Lets look at some numbers that seem to be a little more concrete. During the time since Gortat was put into the starting lineup Nash missed 7 games. In those 7 games Gortat averaged 13.1 PPG and 9.4 RPG while shooting 51.3%. This includes a game in which he was 4/13 from the field which significantly brings down his average.

Meanwhile he was putting up these numbers not only without Nash, but with relatively poor PGs such as Telfair, Price and Brooks. This year he will have Dragic dishing him the rock and that should help to ease the transition from Nash. Though I do expect his scoring to possibly take a hit this year, but not because of the loss of Nash as much as the fact that they have more scorers on the team this year than last.

Agreed. Good post.

Steve