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Gortat was brutally honest in his assessment of the team’s issues, and ripped the lack of character displayed by the team’s younger players. “I think we need some changes,” he said. “We need some serious conversations. We need to look in the mirror and each one of us has got to ask if we did everything that was necessary to win, or if we did everything that was necessary to perform at 100 percent. But first of all I’m going to look at myself. I’m going to try to correct myself and hopefully the management and the front office people will do the right thing.” NBCSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat 

When asked what skill set needed to be improved on the roster, Gortat pointed to issues more mental than physical. “Well, I would say we are missing character,” he said. “We are missing just strong minds on the team. We are just weak, mentally weak, basically. I would say that we just need more talent. We need more talent, we need more athletic, energetic guys, and people that want to compete and fight. That’s it." NBCSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat 

Q: What did you learn about the behind-the-scenes aspect of the NBA? Marcin Gortat: All the games are about business. I learned that from Jermaine (O’Neal) with how he approaches it. You better perform and show what you can do. I know how people are talking about different players on the team right now. When you have two or three games that you’re not performing, you get the rumors of “I don’t think we need this guy” and “I think we’re going to trade this guy.” Those guys don’t hear it or know it, but you don’t want to be in that situation. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat 

Question: What things have you started doing to pass the time during your rehabilitation period? Marcin Gortat: Clash of Clans (an online strategy game). You build your own village, and you have to protect your resources. Channing (Frye) is the master of that. I just started, so I’m trying to catch up. You have to come up with different things to do to pass time. It’s hard to do. I’m on the 33rd level, but he’s on like the 68th level. I wish to be in his clan, but I can’t be. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Injuries 

Q: What are you going to do about playing with the Polish national team? Marcin Gortat: : In the worst case, I might take a break that’s six months. That’s going to be almost impossible to do. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Poland 

Lampe, speaking exclusively to fibaeurope.com, sent exactly this message of tranquillity to Polish fans: "Yes, I'm going to play," he stated briefly but firmly, when asked whether he had considered his participation at the EuroBasket. There is hardly time to mention the recent developments concerning Gortat before the Caja Laboral Vitoria forward/center interrupts decisively: "He'll play too," he says firmly. Eurobasket 2013

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Poland, Eurobasket 

As much as Suns center Marcin Gortat said he would like to return this season, Hunter said it is doubtful that Gortat will play in the final eight games. Gortat visits Suns practices and games with his sprained right foot in a walking boot. Suns captain Jared Dudley, on how to change the team’s defensive effort: “It’s heart. It’s desire. It’s will. Sometimes, when you’re tired, you’ve got to do the extra effort little things. What Coach is trying to do is teach everyone the little things about basketball. The help-side defense, his philosophies. Lindsey was a great defensive player when he played, but this is his first coaching go-around, so he’s working out the kinks just like we are. That’s why we’re struggling, because we’re both new at it and we’re doing it together, and there are a lot of flaws and we haven’t improved on a lot of our flaws. We’re still a team that turns the ball over a lot. We don’t protect the paint. Teams shoot good percentages against us.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Injuries 

Former Magic C Marcin Gortat, now with Phoenix, also might not play for Poland. He recently told TalkBasket.net: "I can tell you one thing: I'm going to definitely consider not going to the national team again and not playing another 20 games in the offseason." Orlando Sentinel

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, FIBA, Poland, Eurobasket 

Gortat has hinted that he will now miss the remainder of the season and with rest the only thing on his mind, there could be a possibility that he might not play in Slovenia in September as the nation of Poland awaits his decision. "I'm definitely not going to work all this just to come back for one or two games, I'd rather just rest the remainder of the year," he said. “I can tell you one thing: I'm going to definitely consider not going to the national team again and not playing another 20 games in the off-season." TalkBasket

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat 

Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat had an MRI Thursday morning that revealed a Lisfranc (midfoot) sprain in his right foot. The injury is expected to sideline him for approximately three to four weeks. Gortat, a 6-11, 245-pound center, was injured with 34.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Suns' 98-71 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. USA Today Sports

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Injuries 

The Celtics and Thunder are rumored to be interested in Gortat. New York Daily News

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Marcin Gortat 

Gery Woelfel: Suns, some NBA officials contend, are top cinders for Smith. Gortat, Dudley and 1st rounder being discussed. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley, Josh Smith 

Other rumors involving Suns players have included the Toronto Raptors having interest in reserve point guard Sebastian Telfair, the Knicks sniffing around center Jermaine O'Neal and reports that the Suns are dangling center Marcin Gortat and swingman Jared Dudley in potential deals. Babby threw cold water on most of the existing rumors. "The high likelihood is we don't do anything," he said. The Suns president did say, however, that he's been involved in the game long enough to realize that things can change quickly. "Everything can change with one phone call," he said. "I don't know whether that phone call is going to come. Arizona's Sports Page

New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley, Jermaine O'Neal, Sebastian Telfair 

League executives continue to believe that Phoenix is the most realistic destination for Smith. It would be a slam dunk if the Suns were willing to surrender two first-round picks in the deal -- their own and the Lakers' pick obtained in the Steve Nash trade -- in addition to center Marcin Gortat. However, rival execs believe strongly that the Suns will not agree to give the Hawks multiple picks, especially their own, which will be high in the lottery. CBSSports.com

Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Marcin Gortat, Josh Smith 

Paul Coro: I mentioned All-Star break talk of a Perkins/Lamb/pick-Gortat/Tucker swap. Apparently, that was a league rumor but not actual team talks. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Kendrick Perkins, Marcin Gortat 

John Gambadoro: No truth to rumor of Gortat and Tucker to OKC for Perkins, Lamb and a first......not going to happen Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Trade, Kendrick Perkins, Marcin Gortat, Doron Lamb 

Another source said there was All-Star break talk of Oklahoma City exploring Marcin Gortat and P.J. Tucker for Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick. Arizona Republic

Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Kendrick Perkins, Marcin Gortat, Jeremy Lamb, PJ Tucker 

Chris Broussard: U never say never but source close to situation says Josh Smith to Phx 4 Gortat-headlined package is unlikely Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Marcin Gortat, Josh Smith 

Charles Barkley has his own rules. He can say most anything he wants without fear of repercussion. That makes him funnier than most everyone on television. But he has a serious side. He wants to build his own basketball team. He turns 50 on Wednesday, and wants the thrill of real competition one more time, the kind that a cushy network studio job can’t provide. And more than anything, he wants to save his Suns from irrelevance. “That’s my hometown team,” Barkley said. “I live in Phoenix. I watch the Suns religiously. And I’m very disappointed in their direction. “They’re not competitive. Even the really bad teams like Cleveland and Sacramento have players to build around. The Suns? Their best players are Goran Dragic and Marcin Gortat.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Charles Barkley, Goran Dragic 

The Suns also have shown interest in a bigger splash for Utah’s Al Jefferson or Gordon Hayward. Dudley could be a part of either of those deals with center Marcin Gortat likely needed to make one work for Jefferson, a 28-year-old power forward who makes $14 million and is averaging 17.4 points and 9.5 rebounds. Hayward, a 22-year-old swingman, is averaging 13.5 points in a reserve role. “We all realize this is a business,” Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter said. “I was a player once, and I was traded a couple times. It’s nothing personal. It’s just business, and I think guys understand that now.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Marcin Gortat, Gordon Hayward