His fitted suit on straight, out went Marcin Gortat. Again and again at the end of last season, Gortat would finish getting dressed, then depart the lockerroom at a brisk pace. The gregarious Washington Wizards center rarely stopped to talk with reporters. He was using silence as a shield.
Gortat is expressive and open, something that endears him to the media and public. Old-school cantankerous coaches don’t embrace his commentary in the same way. Often the day after Gortat spoke to reporters, the cost of doing so would come, so he clammed up.