NBA Q&A: Marcin Gortat

Posted by Unknown on Saturday, April 13, 2013 with 45 comments
Courtesy of Paul Coro 

 Question: What things have you started doing to pass the time during your rehabilitation period?

Answer: Clash of Clans (an online strategy game). You build your own village, and you have to protect your resources. Channing (Frye) is the master of that. I just started, so I’m trying to catch up. You have to come up with different things to do to pass time. It’s hard to do. I’m on the 33rd level, but he’s on like the 68th level. I wish to be in his clan, but I can’t be.
Q: What else are you doing?
A: I visited my dentist for all the work I was supposed to do in the summer. I checked broadcasting and how it is to be a host in the studio. I realized I will never be a guy working in TV because you have to lie all the time and you can’t be honest. I check my portfolio to see how my investments are doing. I spend time with my girlfriend and family and take care of my foundation. I watch the game from a different perspective. I spend the time behind the scenes to realize how people are talking about the game and how we are performing. It was [a] great experience, and I learned a lot. I’ve spent a lot of time with (Suns Vice President of Player Programs) Mark West, who inspired me in many different directions. We talk about what I need to do to be a better player, and we built a plan for me for the summer. Now it’s up to me to follow it. I’m going to try to study the game more this summer. I’m pumped up for the summer. It’s going to be the most important summer in my life because I’m going to be a free agent (in 2014).
Q: What are you going to do about playing with the Polish national team?
A: In the worst case, I might take a break that’s six months. That’s going to be almost impossible to do.
Q: How did you wind up flying out more kids from your Poland camp to Phoenix this year?
A: We had a competition that the one best kid from all the camps came to a finals camp. We had those eight compete in a skills competition just like the All-Star Game. I had two favorite guys. I thought they were going to win. I put too much pressure on them and they burned and ended up fourth and eighth. I made a mistake. They started crying because they lost. I felt bad and I wanted to fix it quick, so I said all eight kids are going to fly for the NBA game. It was initially supposed to be only the first guy. I announced that in front of 3,000 people, and my manager lost his mind. We found investors and sponsors, and the Suns organization was kind enough to give us tickets, jerseys and T-shirts for them. It was really, really nice. We made a dream come true.
Q: Did you have them over to your house?
A: Not even close. My privacy is one of the most important things. I don’t do interviews at home or bring people there. Only my closest friends and my family enter my area. I don’t post private pictures.
Q: Did you try any other activity you could do without basketball?
A: I couldn’t really do anything. The first three days, I thought I needed a few days and I’d be fine. I put a cast on and thought it’d be a week. From Day 1, everyone is saying I’d be out at least four to six weeks. I was like, “Nah, that’s impossible. I know my body.” I took my cast off after a week or 10 days, and my foot was disgusting. It was swollen. I couldn’t feel it. It was super bad. I had pain.
Q: How did you take the cast off a day early on your own?
A: Just with my bare hands, a screwdriver and some wire scissors. I fought that cast for a few good hours, but I got it off. I knew then that I was probably done for four or five weeks.
Q: What did you learn about the behind-the-scenes aspect of the NBA?
A: All the games are about business. I learned that from Jermaine (O’Neal) with how he approaches it. You better perform and show what you can do. I know how people are talking about different players on the team right now. When you have two or three games that you’re not performing, you get the rumors of “I don’t think we need this guy” and “I think we’re going to trade this guy.” Those guys don’t hear it or know it, but you don’t want to be in that situation.