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Washington Wizards: Marcin Gortat Marches On

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC -  NOVEMBER 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards goes for the dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 11, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  NOVEMBER 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards goes for the dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 11, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  NOVEMBER 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards goes for the dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 11, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  NOVEMBER 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards goes for the dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 11, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards’s Marcin Gortat has been a consummate professional, and a constant for a team that is trying to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Washington Wizards‘ goal for the 2017-18 season is to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. They have one of the best backcourts in the NBA, John Wall and Bradley Beal. Otto Porter who’s one of the best shooters in the league, and was the best player on the floor in their most recent matchup against Golden State. Also there’s Markieff Morris who puts the power in power forward.

However, there’s one constant, the glue in the middle if you will – Marcin Gortat. Sunday’s win against Phoenix, marked 451 consecutive games played by the Polish Machine.

The center position is the only spot on the Wizards’ roster that isn’t at least three deep. Gortat’s sole backup, Ian Mahinmi, played a total of 31 games last season due to injury. Nonetheless, the  Polish Machine didn’t look tired and showed up for every game.

Gortat recorded a double-double last year, averaging 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. This year he’s averaging 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds. Those are very good numbers for a center.

In the season opener against the Sixers, Gortat had 16 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.

Some nights this season where it doesn’t look like the Wizards are playing any type of defense, there’s Gortat pulling down the rebounds, and crashing the boards on both ends of the court.

The only thing that Gortat needs to work on is his perimeter defense. Although, he’s able to punish players inside the paint, outside the paint has been his Achilles’ heel. Particularly, when he was matched up against Al Horford during the Boston series last year. (Perimeter defense is the Wizards’ weakness as a whole).

Against Cleveland, Gortat doesn’t have to worry about “0 points having during 2 games of the Finals last season” Tristan Thompson. Thompson is not an outside shooter, he average 0.0 percent from 3-point range last season.

Therefore, if the Wizards (which they should) reach the ECF, Gortat should crush Thompson.

On the other hand, if Washington has to go through Boston first, he will have to worry about Horford. Horford shot 35.5 percent from the three last season, and is shooting 40 percent this season.

Horford’s able to stretch the floor, where he’s running to the perimeter knocking down three’s and long two’s. Although Wall’s speed won’t rub off on Gortat, he should still be able to anticipate Horford taking outside shots.

Gortat has a very strong work ethic, so hopefully he’s figured out how to defend the perimeter, just as easily as he dominates the paint.

He’s truly a machine, and a constant in a league where there is so much change. Marcin Gortat marches on.

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