For some NBA role players, it’s pretty easy to get lost in obscurity, especially when you’re the backup to one of the league’s best players at your position. For Orlando Magic reserve center, Marcin Gortat, more recognition has recently meant more problems. The Polish big man has made a name for himself this year in the NBA Playoffs, getting praised by his coach and popping up on some free agent radars around the league. Gortat’s NBA Finals spotlight has even prompted Reebok, who he has a modest shoe contract with, to take exception with the Jordan Jumpman tattoo on his leg. Reebok is not too happy with a player that wears their shoes also sporting a permanent advertisement for their biggest rival on his leg. They have asked Gortat to either wear higher socks or to actually cover his Jordan ink with makeup. So far, Gortat has been less than willing to comply, making these statements when asked about the “controversy”:
“‘They called and said I had to do something about it, but that ain’t going to happen,’ Gortat said after Tuesday morning’s workout. ‘I’ve been wearing it 4-5 years now, and it helped me get to the NBA. They didn’t say anything about it when I signed the contract, so it’s not going anywhere. I don’t think they are paying me enough to take it off. I’ve heard from other people that even other players, if they don’t know my name, they know I’m the big white guy with the Jordan tattoo,’ he said. ‘I like that. Reebok will have to get used to that.’” Via YahooSports.
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June 11th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Ha,Ha, shouldn’t a never signed him then reebok! You should learn more about who you sign, before you ask him to sign, & I don’t think coverin up his tatt is in the contract. Perfect chance to snatch him up Mike, think about it…. you’ll have poland on lock.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
fuck reebok, jordan for life
June 11th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
He’s still a scrub.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
He should also get an adidas tatoo
June 11th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Well adidas owns Reebok…
June 11th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
stfu AbstraKt
June 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I think it would be cool to see him get down with JB…
Have they ever had a big man?
June 11th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
the gortanator, boy gonna get paid. bound to follow in the footsteps of jerome james and jim mcilvaine… guys overpaid on the basis of a few good performances.
seriously though, i like the guy but i feel bad for anyone that gives him the full MLE
June 12th, 2009 at 4:13 am
nah, Reebok should let him keep the tattoo and MAKE him get a Reebok Vector tattoo on his skull. More people look at that then what he has on his feet.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:28 am
tatuaz jest ok,gdyby rbk byl na topie pewnie by ludzie tatuowali znaczki rbk, ale tak nie jest! tak trzymaj marcin !
June 12th, 2009 at 7:47 am
i think thats pretty stupid. why would you get a tattoo of the jordan sign? anyways its his body not mine, oh i forgot its Gods body not his. we all shouldnt have tattoos anyways.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Gortat is a ghoul. He’s lucky to even get paid by any shoe company. I mean it makes sense Reebok would ask him to cover the tatoo, and it also makes sense he doesn’t want to. To say “it got me to the NBA” shows where Gortat’s big bald head is at….I’m sure NBA teams were amped he had J on his leg.
Remember kids, if you want to ball harder, you gotta step your ink game up.