Not a lot of people noticed outside the Valley of the Sun, but Marcin Gortat was playing at a near All-Star level when paired with Steve Nash last season, as the big in a lot of his pick-and-rolls.
This season it is not the same in Phoenix. Nash is in Los Angeles and the Suns are 4-7 and struggling along. The Polish Hammer went from averaging 15.4 points per game and getting nearly 12 shots a contest last year to 11 points and 9 shots.
And he vented about it to Przeglad Sportowy's Marcin Harasimowicz — a Polish publication — and Gothic Ginobili has the translation. He was asked how this season is going compared to last.
Unfortunately, in my case – for worse. I'm certainly not the player I was last season, I need to find my place in the new order. I'm still capable of helping this team, and regularly recording a double double, but when the ball sticks to one person on offence, it's hard to find a good rhythm….
Unfortunately, my two strongest plays – the pick and roll and post-ups have been taken away from me. It's not easy, we have a lot of plays that don't include me. And my chemistry with Goran Dragic hasn't been quite equal to what I had with Steve. These are things that we need to work on….
NBA Headlines
Marcin Gortat vents he's no longer even considered in Phoenix
Pro Basketball Talk | Nov 19