Woj bomb- Magic decline Hezonja's 4th year Option

[fendilim]

I think the Magic’s development system is more at fault than Mario in respect to his development. Mario looked decent during his first year. He shot the ball at a decent clip and looked athletic. The summer after year one was the beginning of his downfall. The Magic put him on a strength training program and Mario ended up putting on 20lbs of muscle. The extra weight put too much stress on his knees and that’s when his knee problems began. The extra weight and knee problems caused major problems with his shot and athleticism.

Had the Magic let Mario naturally grow into his body we could be looking at a very different player today. What a shame.

This.

I really think the added weight training has affected Mario's overall game. He lost his athleticism when he got bigger.

You can recall that when he ran the PG duties during his rookie year, if he'd turn the ball over, you can expect see him making an attempt to make a chasedown block. You don't see that 2nd and 3rd year. Now you can see him making defensive plays like he is Chris Duhon. lol

Also probably lost confidence during last year's preseason when his lack of dribbling was exploited. I really think last year killed his confidence and has been tentative ever since.

[Optimus_Steel]

I don't see how people can claim that Iwundu looks better than Mario. Iwundu has played 12 minutes in 2 games, shot 33% and doesn't have an assist.

I understand the FO's reasoning in declining the option as it makes Mario a more attractive trade piece and, in the unlikely event they want him back next year, they can try to sign him for less than $5 mil per year. However, its ironic that Mario is shooting the ball better than he ever has (and in similar minutes to last year). Who knows if he can shoot near 40% from 3 but given the team's much more wide open offensive philosophy and the lack of interest from the rest of the NBA, I'm hopeful that his career can be salvaged here.

And whether its for trade value or just based on production, Hezonja is playing more than Afflalo or Iwundu. Also, if Ross keeps shooting at historically poor levels, I would give some of Ross' minutes to Mario.

Iwundu has really good handles already, and has had flashes of good defense, that's why people are interested in his development. Could he play a Doug Christie type of role on this team? Mario has no handles and his defense is non existant, and he looks defeated and clueless.

[Optimus_Steel]

I think the Magic’s development system is more at fault than Mario in respect to his development. Mario looked decent during his first year. He shot the ball at a decent clip and looked athletic. The summer after year one was the beginning of his downfall. The Magic put him on a strength training program and Mario ended up putting on 20lbs of muscle. The extra weight put too much stress on his knees and that’s when his knee problems began. The extra weight and knee problems caused major problems with his shot and athleticism.

Had the Magic let Mario naturally grow into his body we could be looking at a very different player today. What a shame.

This.

I really think the added weight training has affected Mario's overall game. He lost his athleticism when he got bigger.

You can recall that when he ran the PG duties during his rookie year, if he'd turn the ball over, you can expect see him making an attempt to make a chasedown block. You don't see that 2nd and 3rd year. Now you can see him making defensive plays like he is Chris Duhon. lol

Also probably lost confidence during last year's preseason when his lack of dribbling was exploited. I really think last year killed his confidence and has been tentative ever since.

Or maybe his athletecism was overblown and he was never as athletic as he was advertised. What about his shooting? Maybe it was just not that great to begin with. And yes he lacks condidence and he cant dribble whatsoever. For a guy that grew up being a PG his lack of dribbling is damming.

[in-limbo]

The weightlifting might be a factor but truth is dude is a head case and seems to not get the mental part of the game. Didn't he have a problem with his national team too.
Count me as one who thought he would be a very good player but what we got was a pouty child.

[Nemesis21]

So the Kings offered Malachi Richardson and a 2nd rd pick for Hezonja. How about Hezonja and a 2nd rd pick for Justin Jackson? I'd be all over that if they Kings agreed.


http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ycw2d6jj

The Kings has not had a chance to evaluate Jackson. For this trade to go forward the Magic would need to add more assets.

..

Doutbful, they get a former 5th pick who they have already shown interest in, plus a 2nd rd pick for last year's 15th rd pick. If it were for Fox, Hield or Bogdanovic, then yes I could see a need for more assets for them. No one really knows the value of Hezonja or Jackson. Hezonja could finally break out for them and become the player he has potential to be. Both are 6'8 SG/SF

[fendilim]

I think the Magic’s development system is more at fault than Mario in respect to his development. Mario looked decent during his first year. He shot the ball at a decent clip and looked athletic. The summer after year one was the beginning of his downfall. The Magic put him on a strength training program and Mario ended up putting on 20lbs of muscle. The extra weight put too much stress on his knees and that’s when his knee problems began. The extra weight and knee problems caused major problems with his shot and athleticism.

Had the Magic let Mario naturally grow into his body we could be looking at a very different player today. What a shame.

This.

I really think the added weight training has affected Mario's overall game. He lost his athleticism when he got bigger.

You can recall that when he ran the PG duties during his rookie year, if he'd turn the ball over, you can expect see him making an attempt to make a chasedown block. You don't see that 2nd and 3rd year. Now you can see him making defensive plays like he is Chris Duhon. lol

Also probably lost confidence during last year's preseason when his lack of dribbling was exploited. I really think last year killed his confidence and has been tentative ever since.

Or maybe his athletecism was overblown and he was never as athletic as he was advertised. What about his shooting? Maybe it was just not that great to begin with. And yes he lacks condidence and he cant dribble whatsoever. For a guy that grew up being a PG his lack of dribbling is damming.

He was actually around the league average on 3point percentage during his rookie year, even his ft numbers went down during his second year. He shot more attempts during his 1st year too.

Mario entered the league at 200lbs (as listed in draftexpress) and now listed at 218lbs.

[Optimus_Steel]

This.

I really think the added weight training has affected Mario's overall game. He lost his athleticism when he got bigger.

You can recall that when he ran the PG duties during his rookie year, if he'd turn the ball over, you can expect see him making an attempt to make a chasedown block. You don't see that 2nd and 3rd year. Now you can see him making defensive plays like he is Chris Duhon. lol

Also probably lost confidence during last year's preseason when his lack of dribbling was exploited. I really think last year killed his confidence and has been tentative ever since.

Or maybe his athletecism was overblown and he was never as athletic as he was advertised. What about his shooting? Maybe it was just not that great to begin with. And yes he lacks condidence and he cant dribble whatsoever. For a guy that grew up being a PG his lack of dribbling is damming.

He was actually around the league average on 3point percentage during his rookie year, even his ft numbers went down during his second year. He shot more attempts during his 1st year too.

Mario entered the league at 200lbs (as listed in draftexpress) and now listed at 218lbs.

He was a very good FT shooter which gave me hope after his rookie year but he was below league average as a 3pt shooter. I just dont buy that gaining some weight would affect his shooting or his dribbling that much. Also dont buy that he has had some type of knee injury, is that the excuse he will use forever?

[PrimeThyme]

You cant just watch the games and even from the small sample size from Iwundu that we have you can tell his feel for the game, Bball IQ, Ball handling, and defense is already better than Mario's. He's a 4-year college guy so you can tell he's already much more polished than Mario is. I have no problem cutting bait with Mario and seeing what we have in Wesley. Mario had 3 years to show that he had at least one NBA skill, and he never was able to. That's on him.

[fendilim]

Or maybe his athletecism was overblown and he was never as athletic as he was advertised. What about his shooting? Maybe it was just not that great to begin with. And yes he lacks condidence and he cant dribble whatsoever. For a guy that grew up being a PG his lack of dribbling is damming.

He was actually around the league average on 3point percentage during his rookie year, even his ft numbers went down during his second year. He shot more attempts during his 1st year too.

Mario entered the league at 200lbs (as listed in draftexpress) and now listed at 218lbs.

He was a very good FT shooter which gave me hope after his rookie year but he was below league average as a 3pt shooter. I just dont buy that gaining some weight would affect his shooting or his dribbling that much. Also dont buy that he has had some type of knee injury, is that the excuse he will use forever?

Gaining weight, more lifting weights. Triceps biceps.

[cedric76]

Clueless

Oh ok...
"Yes, I was a little scared," - Fran Vasquez
http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/interesting-article-fran-vazquez
Fran makes the top 10-15 on the NBA bust list so he's easily the biggest bust in Magic history.

We've had some doozies like Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey (the 6'7" PF), and Jeryl Sasser the Harasser aka The Iverson Stopper. But Franny Boy trumps them all because the previous guys at least were here and on the team.

Makes me laugh, Fran never declared to the draft, Fran didn't want to leave his country and it s his right to do so.

Guys, I guess most of you have a job, have you ever been head hunted?

Let's say a big company like Google wants you to and wants you to move to California and want to pay you more than what you are earning now.

Should you be attacked because you turn them down? You are happy where you are close to your friends and family, you understand that's an amazing opportunity but it's your right to turn them down

[Bakomagic]

If we were to trade Mario for Malachi Richardson, Malachi played college ball at Syracuse, Jim Boehim is one of the best college basketball coaches ever. So definitely Malachi had the right coach in college.

Great "college" coach his system is good for winning college games but a lot of his players have to develop defensively more than other piers coming out.

Anyway, don't know much about Richardson, but I think we should be looking for a young backup point guard with potential!if anything, we have enough wings

[King Close]

Oh ok...
"Yes, I was a little scared," - Fran Vasquez
http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/interesting-article-fran-vazquez
Fran makes the top 10-15 on the NBA bust list so he's easily the biggest bust in Magic history.

We've had some doozies like Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey (the 6'7" PF), and Jeryl Sasser the Harasser aka The Iverson Stopper. But Franny Boy trumps them all because the previous guys at least were here and on the team.

Makes me laugh, Fran never declared to the draft, Fran didn't want to leave his country and it s his right to do so.

Guys, I guess most of you have a job, have you ever been head hunted?

Let's say a big company like Google wants you to and wants you to move to California and want to pay you more than what you are earning now.

Should you be attacked because you turn them down? You are happy where you are close to your friends and family, you understand that's an amazing opportunity but it's your right to turn them down

Well, turn them down before they purchase your plain ticket, and sign you to a 4-year salary.

[pepe1991]

You cant just watch the games and even from the small sample size from Iwundu that we have you can tell his feel for the game, Bball IQ, Ball handling, and defense is already better than Mario's. He's a 4-year college guy so you can tell he's already much more polished than Mario is. I have no problem cutting bait with Mario and seeing what we have in Wesley. Mario had 3 years to show that he had at least one NBA skill, and he never was able to. That's on him.

There is no eviednece that Iwundu is good at anything but trying hard. He is 23 years old rookie ,second round pick. He can consider himelf lucky if he still has NBA job by the end of 2018. That's reality of NBA and second round picks with low ceiling.

Even if they play well in D league ( G league ) , most of second round picks never get fair shots at main roster. That's just how it goes in NBA. Let's not forget that Zimmerman was like 20-20 guy in G league and was one of first guys that got hooked after season was over.

You say he is more polished than Hezonja, that's laughable. guy was shooting 35% from the floor in preseason. He was just as terrible in summer league as well as far as i can remember. So yea, he is not good as Hezonja but in same time it means nothing. He is cheaper and , what's more important here , drafted by new stuff. It's natural to get some sort of "cleaning " after GMs are changed.

On some subjective note, i don't see IWundu ever being role player in nba. He brings nothing but good will . As far as skills go, - Devny Marble is real comparison. Guy that will dive for a ball from roof of the house, but that's closest thing he can do related to basketball at NBA level.
Being 4 years at college and being just "ok" despite being 4 years older than most players is red flag itself.

Spoiler:

see Kris Dunn

[VFX]

Oh ok...
"Yes, I was a little scared," - Fran Vasquez
http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/interesting-article-fran-vazquez
Fran makes the top 10-15 on the NBA bust list so he's easily the biggest bust in Magic history.

We've had some doozies like Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey (the 6'7" PF), and Jeryl Sasser the Harasser aka The Iverson Stopper. But Franny Boy trumps them all because the previous guys at least were here and on the team.

Makes me laugh, Fran never declared to the draft, Fran didn't want to leave his country and it s his right to do so.

Guys, I guess most of you have a job, have you ever been head hunted?

Let's say a big company like Google wants you to and wants you to move to California and want to pay you more than what you are earning now.

Should you be attacked because you turn them down? You are happy where you are close to your friends and family, you understand that's an amazing opportunity but it's your right to turn them down

Then why enter the draft and sign the deal ? False advertising.

[PrimeThyme]

You cant just watch the games and even from the small sample size from Iwundu that we have you can tell his feel for the game, Bball IQ, Ball handling, and defense is already better than Mario's. He's a 4-year college guy so you can tell he's already much more polished than Mario is. I have no problem cutting bait with Mario and seeing what we have in Wesley. Mario had 3 years to show that he had at least one NBA skill, and he never was able to. That's on him.

There is no eviednece that Iwundu is good at anything but trying hard. He is 23 years old rookie ,second round pick. He can consider himelf lucky if he still has NBA job by the end of 2018. That's reality of NBA and second round picks with low ceiling.

Even if they play well in D league ( G league ) , most of second round picks never get fair shots at main roster. That's just how it goes in NBA. Let's not forget that Zimmerman was like 20-20 guy in G league and was one of first guys that got hooked after season was over.

You say he is more polished than Hezonja, that's laughable. guy was shooting 35% from the floor in preseason. He was just as terrible in summer league as well as far as i can remember. So yea, he is not good as Hezonja but in same time it means nothing. He is cheaper and , what's more important here , drafted by new stuff. It's natural to get some sort of "cleaning " after GMs are changed.

On some subjective note, i don't see IWundu ever being role player in nba. He brings nothing but good will . As far as skills go, - Devny Marble is real comparison. Guy that will dive for a ball from roof of the house, but that's closest thing he can do related to basketball at NBA level.
Being 4 years at college and being just "ok" despite being 4 years older than most players is red flag itself.

Spoiler:

see Kris Dunn

Way to small of a sample size to pull anything meaningful from the stats he's put up so far. Im just talking about his feel for the game and his bball IQ from what ive seen from my own eyes. He was able to be the primary ballhandler during his time on the court and showed some stuff defensively. His overall skillset seems more polished. His shot will be a work in progress, but he shot 38% from 3 his last year in college so I have some optimism that he can be a possible 3 and D guy at some point in his career. We will see. Has more of a chance this early in his career of becoming a role player than Mario does at this point.

[I Rasharted]

Summary of Mario's career:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

[tiderulz]

Oh ok...
"Yes, I was a little scared," - Fran Vasquez
http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/interesting-article-fran-vazquez
Fran makes the top 10-15 on the NBA bust list so he's easily the biggest bust in Magic history.

We've had some doozies like Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey (the 6'7" PF), and Jeryl Sasser the Harasser aka The Iverson Stopper. But Franny Boy trumps them all because the previous guys at least were here and on the team.

Makes me laugh, Fran never declared to the draft, Fran didn't want to leave his country and it s his right to do so.

Guys, I guess most of you have a job, have you ever been head hunted?

Let's say a big company like Google wants you to and wants you to move to California and want to pay you more than what you are earning now.

Should you be attacked because you turn them down? You are happy where you are close to your friends and family, you understand that's an amazing opportunity but it's your right to turn them down

then why did Fran sign with a US based agent? Its his right to not want to leave, but he was obviously interested in at least exploring the options.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Oh ok...
"Yes, I was a little scared," - Fran Vasquez
http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/interesting-article-fran-vazquez
Fran makes the top 10-15 on the NBA bust list so he's easily the biggest bust in Magic history.

We've had some doozies like Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey (the 6'7" PF), and Jeryl Sasser the Harasser aka The Iverson Stopper. But Franny Boy trumps them all because the previous guys at least were here and on the team.

Makes me laugh, Fran never declared to the draft, Fran didn't want to leave his country and it s his right to do so.

Guys, I guess most of you have a job, have you ever been head hunted?

Let's say a big company like Google wants you to and wants you to move to California and want to pay you more than what you are earning now.

Should you be attacked because you turn them down? You are happy where you are close to your friends and family, you understand that's an amazing opportunity but it's your right to turn them down

First, I wouldn't turn Google down because I'm not a little bitch like Fran and thus not scared of places like Califiornia. Secondly your anology is bull. He didnt simply "turn them down" he conspired with his agent to use his draft position to land a lucrative contract in Spain. His agent is a snake. Considering all we've learned over the years about Vaaquez being a punk ass its probaly for the better. Could you imaging him playing against NBA bigs! Pretty sure he would've quit.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I don't see how people can claim that Iwundu looks better than Mario. Iwundu has played 12 minutes in 2 games, shot 33% and doesn't have an assist.

I understand the FO's reasoning in declining the option as it makes Mario a more attractive trade piece and, in the unlikely event they want him back next year, they can try to sign him for less than $5 mil per year. However, its ironic that Mario is shooting the ball better than he ever has (and in similar minutes to last year). Who knows if he can shoot near 40% from 3 but given the team's much more wide open offensive philosophy and the lack of interest from the rest of the NBA, I'm hopeful that his career can be salvaged here.

And whether its for trade value or just based on production, Hezonja is playing more than Afflalo or Iwundu. Also, if Ross keeps shooting at historically poor levels, I would give some of Ross' minutes to Mario.

Yeah I'll wait before proclaiming him better than Mario plus, they need to give Mario minutes so they cant at least try and raise his value. Iwundu can play when Mario is gone.

[cedric76]

We've had some doozies like Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey (the 6'7" PF), and Jeryl Sasser the Harasser aka The Iverson Stopper. But Franny Boy trumps them all because the previous guys at least were here and on the team.

Makes me laugh, Fran never declared to the draft, Fran didn't want to leave his country and it s his right to do so.

Guys, I guess most of you have a job, have you ever been head hunted?

Let's say a big company like Google wants you to and wants you to move to California and want to pay you more than what you are earning now.

Should you be attacked because you turn them down? You are happy where you are close to your friends and family, you understand that's an amazing opportunity but it's your right to turn them down

Well, turn them down before they purchase your plain ticket, and sign you to a 4-year salary.

I guess you never been head hunted. Why wouldn't you travel there? Lol