Gortat Switching to Vince Carter Nikes

Not only is Orlando Magic backup center Marcin Gortat going to be playing with Vince Carter next season, he is going to be wearing Carter's shoes.

Gortat, the only Polish-born player in the NBA, found himself in a little hot water during the Finals last spring when adidas-owned Reebok, who was providing him free shoes, asked him to cover up the Michael Jordan/Nike tattoo on his leg.

When he refused their request, they canceled his modest shoe deal. So now he will be switching back to Nike, specifically the Vince Carter signature shoe.

Carter, the eight time All-Star who was traded to Orlando in June, already has given Gortat his blessing.

"These are the best shoes on the planet,'' said Gortat Monday from Poland, where he is training with his national team for the upcoming European Championships. "Reebok didn't like my tattoo, so I'm back in the Vince Carter shoes I wore for four years before I came to the NBA. These were always my favorites.''

Gortat, somewhat surprisingly, will be returning to the Magic for his third NBA season. The Magic kept him by matching the five-year, $32 million offer sheet -- a little pricey for a backup -- he was extended as a restricted free agent by the Dallas Mavericks.

Gortat, though, will return to Orlando not wanting just to play behind starter Dwight Howard. He wants to play alongside him, too.

"My goal is to come back a much better player and prove to the coaching staff that I can also play power forward next to Dwight,'' Gortat said. "I can help make us a better team. You can have two big guys in the starting lineup. I want to help us win a championship this season.''

The Magic used a smaller, shooter's lineup last season with Rashard Lewis at power forward, but they have been talking about moving him back to his natural small forward position. They signed Dallas power forward Brandon Bass this summer to provide some youth and muscle around the basket.

Gortat, meanwhile, believes he can factor into the playing rotation in more than just the 10-12 minutes when Howard comes to the sideline. The Magic tried the two centers together only briefly in the playoffs, but they were clearly outsized by the Lakers in the Finals.

"I can help Dwight where he needs the help,'' Gortat said. "There is a need for a second big man in the lineup against some teams. That's why I'll be coming back for training camp in great shape. I have a lot to prove this season.''

Gortat also is aware of the perception that the Magic may have matched the offer in order to trade him. After matching an offer for a restricted free agent, teams must wait a minimum of 90 days before trading the player.

"I love it in Orlando. It's where I became an NBA player. But if I'm traded, that's part of the business,'' he said. "If I'm traded, with my contract, it would be to a team that wants to play me more, so it can only be a good thing. I'm not worried about it. I'm just working to get better.''