3 Looks At Gortat - With Raves From Orlando

  Three looks at Marcin Gortat:

   Look 1 is from the stat-based perspective of what the prospective Magic-turned-Mav will do when he’s given a starting role rather than given Dwight Howard’s crumbs.

   Look 2 is from the “asset management’’ perspective, the dollars and sense and risk of it all.

   Look 3 is from the perspective of the smartest Orlando blog around, Third-Quarter Collapse, which analyzes Gortat’s 2008-09 season with numbers, The Eye Test, you name it. …

   Looks 1 and 2 are Mavs-centric and therefore understandably thumbs-up. But Look 3? Maybe you know you’ve got something when the followers of the team that’s likely losing him fawn over Gortat as “big, fast, hard-working.’’ … “One of the best rebounders in the league, a brilliant defender.’’ … “Athleticism, soft hands, automatic on the pick-and-roll’’ ... The Dallas Mavericks are getting a bargain.’’

    Three looks at Marcin Gortat:

    Gortat has achieved a double-double in every single one of his career starts. In games which he has started, he's averaged 10 points per game, 11.7 rebounds per game (5.7 offensive) and 3 blocks per game in 33.7 minutes.
    Because Gortat is somewhat raw and at 24, still quite young, it’s conventional to say he has “upside.’’ But that’s not even required to project him as a center who – even without added maturity or added development – can get 10 points and 10 rebounds in games.

     LOOK 2 – “Why don’t we sign a superstar?!’’

     I’m exhausted trying to explain the answer to this question to the casual fan.

     The short version of my explanation?

     Wilt Chamberlain is dead.

     Before you hate on the MLE-level signing of Gortat, you’ve got to understand the other products that are on the shelf.

     How do you not like acquiring a center for half the price (and maybe twice the statistical output) of Erick Dampier?

    How do you view it as an overpay when for the MLE price you charmed him into passing on the likes of Houston, OKC and San Antonio?

    How can Dallas be dumb … and the GMs in Houston, OKC and San Antonio be smart (and word is, they are) … and yet they all wanted the same dude? Oh, and isn't Orlando considered "smart,'' too? They must be. ... because they are actually considering blocking Dallas' bid and matching-to-retain Gortat even though it'll cost them $11-13 million!

    The only way a multi-year, $5.6-million-per-season deal is a bad signing is if it eats up the MLE that could’ve been better-spent elsewhere.

     Understand?

     If the Mavs signed Gortat while turning down the certain opportunity to use the MLE on a person they/you believe to be a superior player, then and only then is it a stupid move.

     In other words: If the Mavs could’ve gotten Artest OR Ariza OR Gortat … if all three of them would’ve said “yes’’ … and if they/you believe Artest/Ariza is superior to Gortat. … then and then only can it be termed a “bad signing’’ at this moment.

    That can change in October if Gortat drives his street-legal race car down to the AAC and immediately devolves into last year’s MLE center, DeSagana Diop. THEN it can be a bad signing.

     But not today.

    LOOK 3 – From the terrific Third-Quarter Collapse, and their very detailed Magic player-by-player analysis:

 

Marcin Gortat
No. 13	Center
Points Per Game	Rebounds Per Game	Blocks Per Game
3.8	4.5	0.8
Points Per 36	Rebounds Per 36	Blocks Per 36
10.9	13.0	2.4
PER	Rebound Rate	Block Rate
17.1	20.4	4.7
FG%	3FG%	FT%
56.9%	100.0%	57.8%
eFG%		TS%
57.2%		58.0%
All statistics in this table from Gortat's player page at basketball-reference. Career-high statistics highlighted in gold.

   It's not hard to put a finger on what exactly makes Marcin Gortat one of the best reserve centers in the league. He's big, for one thing. He's fast, for another. Skills are important, too. But plenty of tall, fast, skilled men have flamed out in the NBA. What sets Gortat apart is hard work. And I apologize if that appraisal sounds corny, but it's true. Marcin worked his tail off just to make it to the NBA, and even then he was only a practice sparring partner for Dwight Howard.

   I distinctly recall listening to Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy's radio program one evening in January of 2008. A caller asked if Gortat would ever get a chance to play that season, and Van Gundy responded that his expectation was for Marcin to work hard in practice, and to perhaps earn a few minutes in the following season. Just 3 months later, in the Magic's first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors, Gortat leapfrogged the veteran Adonal Foyle on the Magic's depth chart. The move became permanent, as he retained his role as Howard's primary backup. It's hard not to appreciate the effort Gortat put in, both on the floor and in the weight room, to earn that role.

   Gortat really does everything you'd want a backup center to do. He's one of the best rebounders in the league, he's a brilliant defender, and he plays hard. His athleticism and soft hands mitigate his lack of a well-rounded post game, and he's more-or-less automatic when receiving a crisp pass on a roll to the basket. The Dallas Mavericks, who will sign Gortat to an offer sheet for the full mid-level exception on July 8th, the first date free agents are permitted to sign, are getting a bargain.

  This grade might seem high for a guy who only managed to play 12.6 minutes per game, but make no mistake: Gortat was a top-8 player for Orlando last year, and good enough to start for most teams. He did everything the Magic asked him to do, and he did it well. Really, ask yourself what more you could possibly ask Gortat to do.

   It shouldn't take long to find your answer.

 GRADE: A

    Again, a member of our 75-Member Staff looks at Gortat when he gets minutes and finds a diamond? Maybe some bias. I look at Gortat is terms of asset management and think it wise? I'm guilty. Bias. But the Orlando Magic’s smartest website does an evaluation – not based on his free agency but largely based simply on his performance and talents – and raves? Third-Quarter Collapse talks about this kid in ways that will trigger involuntary eye-rolling if Cuban/Donnie/Carlisle do it.

    While most fans/media pooh-pooh their players’ departures, Gortat watchers in Orlando are mourning the possibility of theirs.

    A look from somebody who is missing Marcin Gortat before he's even gone? That may be the most important look of all.