Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: Thank you, Marcin Gortat

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2018 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2018 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2018 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2018 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards traded Marcin Gortat to the Clippers in exchange for Austin Rivers. Gortat deserves more than a few words for his five years in Washington.

When the Washington Wizards traded Marcin Gortat for Austin Rivers, it marked the end of an era. The Polish Machine was a constant these past five years. Three of those years, he started all 82 games.

That’s one thing that you knew about Gortat, he would be there on the court. Some may have taken it for granted, that the big man was not injury prone. He showed up and did what was asked of him, night in and night out.

I wrote last offseason, that Gortat should not have been on the team for the 2017-18 NBA season. But if he remained, he would have to adapt to the changing NBA. Gortat said, he wouldn’t and that was his choice.

However,  I understand how some may feel that Gortat didn’t get the recognition that he deserved, when the Wizards traded him. As if playing all 82 games meant nothing, while the rest of the team either was banged up or didn’t show up.

I made a conscious effort when I became editor of this site, that it would not engage in gossip, no matter if came from Stephen A. Smith or any other media personality.

My focus was what happened on the court this season. Yes, Gortat made the statement that it was a “great team win”. But staying up countless nights listening after the game to Coach Brooks presser, he used that term repeatedly. At the time, I believed Gortat was echoing his coach.

So Gortat should not be the fall guy for the Wizards lackluster season. I am not a fan of “everybody eats“. But if that’s the new mantra, then everyone should take the blame.

Bradley Beal did not show up in Games 1 and 2 of the Raptors Series. (Maybe his belly was full). Earlier in the season, I wrote that his arms would get tired, just like Wall’s legs did in the Boston Series. Such that his minutes should be managed.

Markieff Morris, whether he was at full capacity, did not show up a lot of times as well.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. was inconsistent, even though he is a good player.

Otto Porter, Jr., whom I believed was the best player in a lot of the games, wasn’t vocal enough. Not by asking for the ball to close out games, but there were some matches where he should have asked to sit out. He was playing injured throughout the season, then to pull him out for a pivotal Game 6….

Minutes were not managed and neither egos.

It was unclear this season who was leading the team. There was tough talk after the game, but unclear if that same tough talk appeared before the game.

There were some games where neither Keef nor Gortat showed up. Mike Scott could have filled in for Keef to start, but Ian Mahinmi is not faster than Gortat.

The Wizards plain and simple were short-staffed last season. Players were trying to fill multiple roles to make up for it.

I am not a fan of any of the players on this team. However, I am a fan of the game.

Marcin Gortat is still in the game, and that’s what should matter most. He’s with the Clippers and has the opportunity to play under Coach Doc Rivers. He has left a lasting legacy in Washington, because of his work ethic.

However, your story is not finished. It only has just begun.

Home/Wizards News