ORLANDO -- As the backup to the best center in the NBA, unheralded Marcin Gortat doesn't cause much of a stir when he enters and leaves a game.
He causes quite a commotion, though, every night when he arrives and departs the arena. He has arguably the loudest, fastest car in a league that is filled with players who drive some of the fastest, sleekest, most elegant rides in America.
"People in this country don't know me yet for my game, but people around this town know my car,'' Gortat said as he was showing off his ride to FanHouse. "I don't think there are any cars out on the street that could beat me. I have an engine like something in NASCAR. This car is fast. It's perfect.''
Before he starts it, Gortat's car doesn't look any different than any other car in parking lot filled with rich people. It's a new BMW M5, shiny and black and looking like a million dollars.
"It could go over 200 mph, maybe 225 mph. I don't want to drive that fast, but what matters is how quick it goes from 0-60."
- Marcin Gortat "It could go over 200 mph, maybe 225 mph,'' he said. "I don't want to drive that fast, but what matters is how quick it goes from 0-60. I can pull up next to a Ferrari or Lamborghini at a light, look over, and they might start laughing. But when it turns green, I'm gone, waiting at the next light when they get there, and I'm the one laughing then.''
Gortat admittedly has been stopped and ticketed a few times by law enforcement on the streets of Central Florida, yet he still has a valid driver's license. He usually gets only warnings now. His status as a Magic player in a one-sport town doesn't hurt. And neither does his disarming, personable nature. He is a likeable guy, well known around town.
"I shake my head every time I see him pulling away,'' said one Seminole County (Fla) police officer who did not want his name being used. "We all know who he is. But it's hard not to like him.''
Gortat is in the second year of his original NBA contract, paying him $711,000 this season. He often marvels at the fleet of cars owned by star center Dwight Howard – who is in the midst of an $80 million contract -- and the two joke about who has the fastest car.
Every time he pulls away from the Magic's practice facility or the arena, Gortat revs up the engine, reveling in the attention it brings him. He is happy to offer you a test ride as a passenger, or a chance to sit in the driver's seat and step on the accelerator just to feel the power."Dwight has a $300,000 car with 600 horsepower. I have a $150,000 car with 800 horsepower,'' he said. "Mine is like an airplane. It's something I've always wanted. I probably have the fastest car in Florida, maybe in the NBA.''
Gortat is the only Polish-born player in the NBA, and just the third player from Poland to reach the league. Since coming to the Magic in 2007 as a second-round pick, he has improved considerably this season. He is a free agent this summer, and there is likely a center-starved team in the league that might make him a starter.
He has averaged just 11.4 minutes, 3.2 points, 3.4 minutes through the playoffs, but he played only a disappointing four minutes in Game 3 against the Lakers Tuesday night.
"Rashard Lewis has his horses. Dwight has his fleet. Adonal Foyle is buying an island with his money,'' Gortat said. "I have my dream car. And it's fast.''
Comments (Page 1 of 8)
haha, bad ass car. Polish Hammer!
all i have to say is PELLE LINBERG for all you flyer fans know what i mean!!
Not to mention BOBBY PHILLS.
Another overpaid athlete wasting money like there was no tomorrow. I wonder how much he gave to charities, the homeless, the sick, the poor?
With everything being relative, how much have you given?
How much have you given? ur an idiot. its his money, let him spend it how he wants.
what percentage of your income do you give to charity?
dude. your garbage hes not an overpaid celebrity? he makes 711k a year as a basket ball player? thats nothing. he doesnt have any money to give to charity because he doesnt have a big contract
how much have you givin to the homeless, poor or sick? dont talk ish if you yourself is not doing anything either. less hypocrites in the world the better!
so how much a person makes defines how much you think he has to give to charities, the homeless, the sick, and the poor? you must not make enough to think that you should take part in giving away some of your money, do you?
You guys are funny! I was about to ask mdkin01 the same question. How much have you given? I guess just your satirical wit, and farcical insight is all the contribution we need from you. LOL!
why does anyone have to give to charities. Its a nice thing to do but who are you to tell someone how to spend there money?
you can only do so much, people are poor for a reason, what do you do for the poor and homeless?
hes an athlete not robin hood
Its his money. Why don't u jus give yours away and let the man buy cars if he like. By the way did u know that only 35% of what u give to charities make it to those that need it.
I don't see how thats any of your business. How much did you give. My guess is not much.
HOW MUCH DO YOU DONATE TO THE NEEDY?
Who cares how much he gives away, if any? He earns it, he can do whatever he wants. Too many people get their noses out of joint about issues that don't concern them. You earn what you do and you do what you want. If he was to grill in his yard using piles of money for fuel, it would be stupid, BUT IT IS HIS, HE CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS.
give him a break, he came from Poland - a somewhat impoverished country to America and now he's living the America dream.
Really it is his money and what excatly to you know about Poland do you even know where its located, do you know anything about the nations economy so before you start making accusions do you research and secondly how much have you given to charity