Let's Talk About Mario

[AdamTheGreek]

Glad he's showing signs of what we were hoping to see, but it's coming about three months too late for the Magic in retaining him. It's weird. If he keeps playing like this, the Magic might be able to deal him for something (or in a nice package) in a month.

Because if we keep him the rest of the season, I'd be stunned if we re-sign him. He'd get more money in Europe if we're the only NBA team to offer him. And if he continues playing well, we won't have enough money to offer than another NBA team that would want him.

And even if we wanted to retain him at a decent price, I don't understand why Mario would want to stay here. He's currently behind Simmons, Evan, Ross, and we need to give Iwundu minutes.

Considering our losing ways, we should continue giving him as many minutes as possible over the next month and see if we can package him.

Are overseas players getting more money now than NBA players? i mean Hezonja, at tops we could offer 5 million. Do european teams offer more than that?

No, the vast majority don't. I don't think the Magic would offer that much. I have 2-3 mil in my head, and that's assuming Hezonja continues playing like this.

[MagicMadness]

What do you think our chances are of retaining him?

I'm kind of surprised we didn't just extend him. I mean, this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

[fendilim]

I still think we are just trying to increase his trade value. I dont see Mario coming back next season. He has shown improvement but for his 3rd year, I was expecting more. Isaac and Gordon are our forwards of the future anyway. Then you also have a draft with Porter jr, Bridges, and Knox all in our range.

On top of that, Wes Iwundu is playing some great basketball. He already looks better then Mario in his decision making, passing, ball movement, and defense. Mario has had 3 years in the NBA to figure it out and he is letting a rookie like Iwundu look more nba ready and mature than him. that's just unacceptable and tells me Mario will never be anything more than a bench man. Another player that is time to cut loose. Im all for shipping the Henny guys besides AG.

I’d take Mario over Wes anytime of the day.

Wes looks better as a rookie within his first 22 games then mario who is currently in his 3rd season. WE can only make excuses for him for so long. I guarantee you that in Iwundus 3rd year he will be a better player then Mario is now.

i have my doubts. The only advantage he has is his length. But mario is already a better offensive player than him. And three months younger too.

At best, Wes would end up like snell or a 3 and D guy, Imo.

[OrlandoDream]

I’d take Mario over Wes anytime of the day.

Wes looks better as a rookie within his first 22 games then mario who is currently in his 3rd season. WE can only make excuses for him for so long. I guarantee you that in Iwundus 3rd year he will be a better player then Mario is now.

i have my doubts. The only advantage he has is his length. But mario is already a better offensive player than him. And three months younger too.

At best, Wes would end up like snell or a 3 and D guy, Imo.

That would be a great scenerio for us. Wes has the making of a great 3D player. I agree that offensively Mario is better but Wes really is better at almost everything else. He is already a better passer, finisher, rebounder, defender, and cutter.

Wes Iwundu is just a smart player that makes the simple game-winning plays. Thats what a 3D guy is supposed to do. I expect him to be around for a long time here.

[drsd]

Well all said seen and done, who here thinks Mario really had a constant chance with this team now he is as well as gone?

Chance like he is the 5th pick not the 50th pick.

- Chance to have constant minutes (20+)
- Chance to make defensive mistakes without being immediately janked off the court like a fool
- Chance to get 15-20 shots a game even when his shot was not going in to build confidence

I am really curious about your opinion, maybe someone could make a poll ...

None of us casual fans have any idea what Hezonja is like in the locker room or training gym. Players earn their minutes off of the bench, and that Hezonja got little playing time means to me that he was poppy and did not practice the right way.


..

[pepe1991]

Well all said seen and done, who here thinks Mario really had a constant chance with this team now he is as well as gone?

Chance like he is the 5th pick not the 50th pick.

- Chance to have constant minutes (20+)
- Chance to make defensive mistakes without being immediately janked off the court like a fool
- Chance to get 15-20 shots a game even when his shot was not going in to build confidence

I am really curious about your opinion, maybe someone could make a poll ...

None of us casual fans have any idea what Hezonja is like in the locker room or training gym. Players earn their minutes off of the bench, and that Hezonja got little playing time means to me that he was poppy and did not practice the right way.


..

didn't magic coaches called him hardest worker at gym just year ago ? so it's not like he wasn't giving his best

[Tarheel]

Just listened to an interview with Hammond where he states that not picking up Mario's option doesn't mean we won't resign him, so still a bit of hope that he can stay in Orlando if he continues to play the way he is at the moment.

[tiderulz]

What do you think our chances are of retaining him?

I'm kind of surprised we didn't just extend him. I mean, this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

we are probably going to have to pay the max that we can offer, just to get him to consider Orlando. He will feel, right or wrong, that he was not given a true chance here and the front office will have to change that feeling with him and his agent.

[tiderulz]

Well all said seen and done, who here thinks Mario really had a constant chance with this team now he is as well as gone?

Chance like he is the 5th pick not the 50th pick.

- Chance to have constant minutes (20+)
- Chance to make defensive mistakes without being immediately janked off the court like a fool
- Chance to get 15-20 shots a game even when his shot was not going in to build confidence

I am really curious about your opinion, maybe someone could make a poll ...

None of us casual fans have any idea what Hezonja is like in the locker room or training gym. Players earn their minutes off of the bench, and that Hezonja got little playing time means to me that he was poppy and did not practice the right way.


..

didn't magic coaches called him hardest worker at gym just year ago ? so it's not like he wasn't giving his best

i thought it was the opposite. That he wasnt trying that hard in practice and was constantly lost.

[BadMofoPimp]

Ya'll know SVG will snag Mario the moment free agency starts.

[tiderulz]

Ya'll know SVG will snag Mario the moment free agency starts.

maybe he will develop him better than Stanley Johnson. or sign a contract like Jon Leuer

Not everything SVG touches turns to gold. tired of hearing you tout SVG so much on the Magic board. take that #@$@#$% to the Pistons board.

[p0peye]

Hezonja will be dealt by trade deadline, IMO. We can probably get another reclamation project like Ben McLemore or Noel, or maybe 2nd round pick.

[BadMofoPimp]

Ya'll know SVG will snag Mario the moment free agency starts.

maybe he will develop him better than Stanley Johnson. or sign a contract like Jon Leuer

Not everything SVG touches turns to gold. tired of hearing you tout SVG so much on the Magic board. take that #@$@#$% to the Pistons board.

Leuer played good last season but this year has been a complete dud. Stanley shows potential for elite defense but his offense is absolutely horrid. There is no such thing as a for sure thing in the NBA draft outside the Lebrons of the league regardless who your GM or coach is. Henny just got unlucky with Mario, but did good with Dipo and AG.

[fendilim]

Just listened to an interview with Hammond where he states that not picking up Mario's option doesn't mean we won't resign him, so still a bit of hope that he can stay in Orlando if he continues to play the way he is at the moment.

Podcast?

[Tarheel]

Just listened to an interview with Hammond where he states that not picking up Mario's option doesn't mean we won't resign him, so still a bit of hope that he can stay in Orlando if he continues to play the way he is at the moment.

Podcast?

Yep, the Drive Time with Dante - https://soundcloud.com/orlando_magic

[zuppafly]

(...) this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

This is another one of the reasons I'm still not sold on Vogel, and to an extent on our new FO (the same one that dealt two draft picks for nothing in return in a deep draft because they didn't want to have too many rookies in a year they then declare as an "evaluation" one).

I would have not be mad at the decision not to extend Mario if Vogel had played Wes, some g-league guy ahead of him this year. That would reinforce the idea that Mario was not an NBAish player. But no, they throw him out there and he proves that when he's given minutes, the ball and get plays called he can be a contributor and has some potential.

Blunder after blunder, this franchise keeps making decisions that ultimately make the organization management look like a bunch of rich folks that know absolutely nothing about managing a basketball team from a sporting perspective.

[p0peye]

(...) this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

This is another one of the reasons I'm still not sold on Vogel, and to an extent on our new FO (the same one that dealt two draft picks for nothing in return in a deep draft because they didn't want to have too many rookies in a year they then declare as an "evaluation" one).

I would have not be mad at the decision not to extend Mario if Vogel had played Wes, some g-league guy ahead of him this year. That would reinforce the idea that Mario was not an NBAish player. But no, they throw him out there and he proves that when he's given minutes, the ball and get plays called he can be a contributor and has some potential.

Blunder after blunder, this franchise keeps making decisions that ultimately make the organization management look like a bunch of rich folks that know absolutely nothing about managing a basketball team from a sporting perspective.

Yeah, I agree. Simply don't get the fascination with new FO. Yes, we now have experienced, proven management to counter unlucky strike we had hiring youngest GM in the league. But we should be alert as all they proven so far is capability of building mediocre teams, even when landing superstar in draft. Draft flatten out and Mario issue exemplifies that.

We didn't brought Jerry West or Danny Ainge here, we've so far seen some bad asset management coupled with good FA signing in Simmons.

[prizm]

(...) this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

This is another one of the reasons I'm still not sold on Vogel, and to an extent on our new FO (the same one that dealt two draft picks for nothing in return in a deep draft because they didn't want to have too many rookies in a year they then declare as an "evaluation" one).

I would have not be mad at the decision not to extend Mario if Vogel had played Wes, some g-league guy ahead of him this year. That would reinforce the idea that Mario was not an NBAish player. But no, they throw him out there and he proves that when he's given minutes, the ball and get plays called he can be a contributor and has some potential.

Blunder after blunder, this franchise keeps making decisions that ultimately make the organization management look like a bunch of rich folks that know absolutely nothing about managing a basketball team from a sporting perspective.

Yeah, I agree. Simply don't get the fascination with new FO. Yes, we now have experienced, proven management to counter unlucky strike we had hiring youngest GM in the league. But we should be alert as all they proven so far is capability of building mediocre teams, even when landing superstar in draft. Draft flatten out and Mario issue exemplifies that.

We didn't brought Jerry West or Danny Ainge here, we've so far seen some bad asset management coupled with good FA signing in Simmons.

That 25th pick could had been used for kuzma...

[drsd]

What do you think our chances are of retaining him?

I'm kind of surprised we didn't just extend him. I mean, this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

we are probably going to have to pay the max that we can offer, just to get him to consider Orlando. He will feel, right or wrong, that he was not given a true chance here and the front office will have to change that feeling with him and his agent.

Hezonja is likely to command €2M (after taxes) in the Euro-league, where he is a probable star. That means an NBA team needs US$4M for Hezonja to be a bench player. What would you do if you were him even if the deals matched?


..

[tiderulz]

What do you think our chances are of retaining him?

I'm kind of surprised we didn't just extend him. I mean, this is yet another huge blunder if we spent 2 years NOT playing him, then threw him into the starting line-up after NOT committing to him staying in a Magic uniform.

The guy is actually playing pretty well despite a lack of development.

we are probably going to have to pay the max that we can offer, just to get him to consider Orlando. He will feel, right or wrong, that he was not given a true chance here and the front office will have to change that feeling with him and his agent.

Hezonja is likely to command €2M (after taxes) in the Euro-league, where he is a probable star. That means an NBA team needs US$4M for Hezonja to be a bench player. What would you do if you were him even if the deals matched?

..

depends where he believes he could get more playing time. why would he trust that he could get time here?