Marcin Gortat was acquired by the Orlando Magic on Draft night in 2005 and will be making his third appearance playing for the Magic in Summer League. Gortat spent the last year playing for Koeln Germany in the Euro League and is very eager to earn a spot on the Magic roster for the 2007-08 season. Throughout the week, Marcin will be checking in and letting us know how his journey to the NBA is progressing.
By Marcin Gortat | July 13, 2007, 5:08PM
It was a hard day. At the beginning of the game, we played well, but we lost our edge late. We just lost our concentration toward the end. Miami just played tougher than us today. I think the whole team was tired and the Heat were really fighting to win this game. We were playing a lot of guys today, and when I came into the game, I took a few wild shots. The whole summer league we played well, up until this final game. A lot of the starters were on the bench today, giving the other guys a chance to play.
I feel I played pretty well this week. When this week started, I have a couple of goals: to dominate underneath the basket - I wanted to show that I can play in the post, and I wanted to run the floor and energize my teammates. I think I did that. I feel that I improved my game from last year. I was more aggressive and I played better defense. I was doing me best out there for the team.
I'm hopeful that I'll be back for training camp in the fall. There are a lot of rumors floating around. I feel like I have a good shot.
By Marcin Gortat | July 13, 2007, 11:40PM
I'm happy that the team won and today we could see that the team was entirely different. We are now showing an entirely different intensity, with better concentration, and I think we had a passion to play ball today. I think right now we're 3-1, and tomorrow we definitely want to make that 4-1 to end summer league. I believe that I was playing better,definitely defensively and I was fighting on the boards better. I'm happy that I was able to handle some kind of pressure. After the third game, I stepped out today with more focus and I was playing better both offensively and defensively, and I could help my team win the game. I just want to do the same tomorrow and I hope to get my second double-double, because I was close today but I made a couple mistakes at the end that I didn't catch the double, but I hope I don't lose it tomorrow.
I had good timing today. I was really focused, that's why I had the chance to block a couple shots. That's what I have to do. That's my part of the game and I'm happy that I had that. I showed I could run the floor, block some shots, play off the ball and post-up and that's the most important thing.
By Marcin Gortat | July 11, 2007, 9:51PM
I think some parts were better and some parts of the game went down, like rebounds. I could expect that and I was prepared that Indiana would play a bit stronger on me, especially on the boards. I'm happy I showed a more offensive game today which was really important to me because the first game I didn't play as well on offense. I still believe I can do more and share the ball more which is important for me and my teammates and for our team to win games.
As long as the team is winning, everyone is looking good. The most important moment is going to be when the team loses and team confidence goes down, then the real players will show. If in the most important moment, a guy can score and keep the team together and lead the team that's going to show that he's a really good player. I hope I don't have to wait until that moment when the team starts losing, I hope we keep winning but I think so far I can be really satisfied and I can keep going like that. If I could collect those two games together for the third, fourth and fifth games, that would be great. I hope I'm going to do well.
With James (Augustine), I understand him so well. With each game, we are understanding each other better and better. I believe that I'm filling out his weaknesses and he's filling out my weaknesses and I feel really comfortable with him. We understand each other and that's the most important thing. As long as he's not taking too many wild shots and I'm not taking too many wild shots and we're sharing the ball, that's we need.
By Marcin Gortat | July 10, 2007, 9:51PM
What can I say? The most important thing is that we won the game. From the first moment when everyone on the team came together, we said we wanted to win the Summer League. I think there was a couple good parts of the game today. I think we still have to work on our defensive rotation.
About myself, I was happy I could help the team on the boards. I hope I put a lot of energy in the game. But there a still a couple of issues. Coach said he still wasn't satisfied with a couple of things. I'm going to still try and do better and I hope next game we also win.
This is my first time playing in the game with J.J. (Redick). J.J. is way different than playing last year with Travis Diener. J.J. is the guy who has to finish the play, while Travis is the guy that's creating the opportunities for the guys. J.J.'s main strength is to score and I think he definitely did his job. He's just great. I think he scored 30 points and that's important. He has to score, I have to get rebounds and obviously a lot of people have to help.
Right now, I'm just going to rest, maybe watch some movies. Before, I was trying to visit some places in Orlando and meet as many people as I can, try to get to know people better and hang around with the guys.
Editor's Note: Marcin scored 10 points and had 12 rebounds, along with six assists in Orlando's 85-74 victory against New Jersey.
By Marcin Gortat | July 9, 2007, 9:25AM
This is going to be my third year playing here in Summer League and I'm here trying to get to the NBA. I think that in the past two years I've improved a lot and I've become a better player and picked up some more experience. Comparing this summer to last summer, it's way different. This year I've prepared myself in a different way. I know with a new coach, there's a new vision for the team and there's a big chance for me.
First of all, I would like to show that on the floor I'm a good player. Try to show my strength and that I can run the floor. I want to try and utilize every situation in the post and just help the team by putting a lot of energy on the floor. I need to show I can fight on the boards and try to play good defense. I just want to give a strong message to the coaching staff that I can help the team.
I definitely believe I'm ready to play in the NBA. At least, come in as a good sub. Of course, here we are not talking about playing 40 minutes a game or being a leader of the team, but I think I can help give good subs with this team. Everything is going to start from this Summer League. If I can play well, then I'm going to have strong points in discussing a contract.
Last year was really great for me and for my career. Last year my team won the German championship and this year we played in Euro League, which I think is the second strongest competition after the NBA. I had some really good games and played well under the basket, so during the season I was getting a lot of offers from other really big teams from Europe, which looks like they believe I've made a big step and improved my game. We also won the German Cup, so that's another trophy for my career. That was my fourth game medal in five years of playing basketball.
I just believe that last year was so crucial for me and I believe now that I can make it in the NBA. To be honest, I don't feel like any of those other guys in the Summer League can challenge me for the experience and playing time I've had. Most of those guys were playing in the D-League or sitting on the bench in the NBA for 70 or 80 games during the season. I had 70 games in Euro League, German League, National Team games and in most of those games I was playing over 30 minutes per game. I believe I'm the more experienced guy and that's what I want to show on the floor.
It was a hard day. At the beginning of the game, we played well, but we lost our edge late. We just lost our concentration toward the end. Miami just played tougher than us today. I think the whole team was tired and the Heat were really fighting to win this game. We were playing a lot of guys today, and when I came into the game, I took a few wild shots. The whole summer league we played well, up until this final game. A lot of the starters were on the bench today, giving the other guys a chance to play.
I'm happy that the team won and today we could see that the team was entirely different. We are now showing an entirely different intensity, with better concentration, and I think we had a passion to play ball today. I think right now we're 3-1, and tomorrow we definitely want to make that 4-1 to end summer league. I believe that I was playing better,definitely defensively and I was fighting on the boards better. I'm happy that I was able to handle some kind of pressure. After the third game, I stepped out today with more focus and I was playing better both offensively and defensively, and I could help my team win the game. I just want to do the same tomorrow and I hope to get my second double-double, because I was close today but I made a couple mistakes at the end that I didn't catch the double, but I hope I don't lose it tomorrow. 
I think some parts were better and some parts of the game went down, like rebounds. I could expect that and I was prepared that Indiana would play a bit stronger on me, especially on the boards. I'm happy I showed a more offensive game today which was really important to me because the first game I didn't play as well on offense. I still believe I can do more and share the ball more which is important for me and my teammates and for our team to win games. 
What can I say? The most important thing is that we won the game. From the first moment when everyone on the team came together, we said we wanted to win the Summer League. I think there was a couple good parts of the game today. I think we still have to work on our defensive rotation.
This is going to be my third year playing here in Summer League and I'm here trying to get to the NBA. I think that in the past two years I've improved a lot and I've become a better player and picked up some more experience. Comparing this summer to last summer, it's way different. This year I've prepared myself in a different way. I know with a new coach, there's a new vision for the team and there's a big chance for me.
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