Marcin Gortat thriving while Suns struggle
Jan 17, 2012, 4:50 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm
The Phoenix Suns have lost their last four games, falling
to
teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Jersey Nets.
However, while the team is having its share of struggles,
one person you should not blame is center Marcin Gortat.
Gortat, who is averaging 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per
game, has been excellent over the last couple of weeks,
with his improved play beginning about the same time a
splint was removed from his previously broken right thumb.
Since that January 6 contest vs. Portland, Gortat has
averaged 17.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per
game.
Gortat has recorded a double-double in each of the last
four games, and his maintained his league-best field goal
percentage of .620.
If there is one thing to be concerned over when it comes
to Gortat’s play — and admittedly, there may only be one
thing — it’s a lack of trips to the free throw line.
The 27-year-old is averaging 1.8 foul shots per game, a
paltry number for a big man who takes 12 shots per game.
It is an indicator that much of Gortat’s success is off of
someone else’s work, with him getting clean looks off
great passes from Steve Nash. That’s all well and good,
but at some point you’d hope Gortat develops a low-post
game.
If he does that, the double-double machine — err, Polish
Machine — will truly be one of the best centers in the
game, and a player the Suns franchise has been searching
for over the better part of its existence.
