NBA preseason: Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat seeks redemption

Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat wants to redeem himself and prove doubters wrong.

With the trade of Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers, Gortat knows he must shed the label of being unable to score without his pick-and-roll pal. And he'll also have to shed the memory of a defining loss in the second-to-last game of the year in 2011-12. The Suns fell to the Utah Jazz in a must-win game, ending their playoff chances. Gortat struggled offensively, going 1-for-8 with just two points in the loss.

Said Gortat, according to Bright Side of the Sun.

"I feel sorry for the fans, I feel bad for them. They were supporting us from the first game to the last game. Being the guy who was leading the team most of the games in points and boards, and all of a sudden the main game is coming and you're failing.

"You know, it hurts."

Gortat added that he thinks the loss of Nash won't necessarily hurt his game. He's out to prove that he's a threat in the post on both ends, and his work with the Polish national team this summer should help him maintain the healthy averages of 15.4 points and 10 rebounds from last season.