The Wizards lost 100-99 in heartbreaking fashion to the Pacers on Saturday. But for one player, Saturday was more than just a game. That player would be Marcin Gortat.
He had a good performance individually with 8 points and 17 rebounds including this alley-oop.
An oop for @MGortat on #NBAPolishNight! #WizPacers pic.twitter.com/QQuqUftz9X
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 6, 2016
But of course, a win would have been nicer. After all, many fans came to cheer Gortat and the Wizards to victory. But I guess you can't win them all.
After the game, he addressed a large crowd of fans:
We're LIVE with Marcin Gortat at #NBAPolishNight https://t.co/H2yg5xs5N5 pic.twitter.com/9q8m7OBMsL
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 6, 2016
.@MGortat addressing the fans at #NBAPolishNight pic.twitter.com/XLZqGi5TYM
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 6, 2016
Marcin #Gortat meeting with ~1000 Polish fans during #NBAPolishNight @MGortat pic.twitter.com/dNeLT2Q51e
— Embassy of Poland US (@PolishEmbassyUS) March 6, 2016
Also before the game, Tomek Solarek, the Project Manager of the MG13 Foundation gave an interview to Monumental Network's Jumoke Davis which is embedded above, or you can click here. In the interview, Solarek mentioned that Gortat specifically wanted to honor the Polish military not unlike how people here in the U.S. honor the military.
Gortat personally honored one World war II veteran pregame:
Marcin Gortat starting #NBAPolishNight by honoring Polish WWII Veteran of Monte Cassino Col. Lipinski pic.twitter.com/a9iliBxKrt
— Embassy of Poland US (@PolishEmbassyUS) March 6, 2016
In addition, the Polish Special Forces, the JW GROM was honored during the game.
Members of Polish Special Forces #GROM honored during @WashWizards #NBAPolishNight pic.twitter.com/QDUhSSCDVY
— Embassy of Poland US (@PolishEmbassyUS) March 6, 2016
Finally, the popular Polish troupe Cheerleaders Gdynia performed during halftime.
Cheerleaders Gdynia put on a spectacular performance at halftime! #NBAPolishNight #WizPacers pic.twitter.com/htlY9ixmZh
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 6, 2016
They were a hit last season, so I'm glad they're back again this year.
All-in-all, Polish Heritage Night was a success once again at Verizon Center.
Naprzód Wizards!
Naprzod, Wizards! (Let’s go, Wizards!) #WizPacers #NBAPolishNight pic.twitter.com/ZhIpHWTlG0
— Monumental Network (@MonumentalNtwrk) March 6, 2016