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He's picked up his game over the last few weeks but with Dipo and Evan currently on the roster paying well themselves(Dipo more so then Evan) it's hard to see him cracking the SL any time soon. He could very well end up being the Star player/go to scoring option that we desperately need. Unfortunately he's not yet strong enough to play a lot of 3 yet but when he eventfully adds some muscle I have no doubt that he will be a SF. What do you guys think?

This is literally the last big move Skiles has in his backpocket that he can use to try and spark the team. I don't think he'll start Mario in the next few weeks though unless injuries or trades occur.

March, if the Magic are out of the playoff hunt? Wouldn't surprise me then.

If the question is when does Mario become a full-time day-to-day starter? Next season is possible, but it depends on if there are better options (veteran or not) in front of him still. Fournier could be gone. Oladipo could be traded away.

Put him out there. Those championship dreams are gone now might as well get the kid use to the spot and jump on the experience for next year. Put Harris on the bench where he belongs and strengthen that even more. Maybe by beating out other teams in bench points it would give us a better chance at winning.

I would honestly say post ASG. We are actively looking for a trade for Tobias (and Channing [according to Magical, and CO.]), freeing more time for Mario, and eventually taking his slot in the lineup.

If were to trade Harris/Fournier/Frye like some of you are suggesting, it'd probably be for a SF/PG which might make it hard for him to start.

Viper1500 wrote:If were to trade Harris/Fournier/Frye like some of you are suggesting, it'd probably be for a SF/PG which might make it hard for him to start.

I think we're fine at the SF slot, even if we trade one of Evan/ Tobias, we still have 1 of the 2, Mario, and Aaron can even play the 3. Henny believes that Elf can be an elite PG and doesn't want to give up on him according to reports, so I see no reason why we'd get a PG. I see us getting a 5/4. Which we desperately need one of the two, if not both. Only way I see us trading for a SF/PG is for a star player.

Imafoo1 wrote:

Viper1500 wrote:If were to trade Harris/Fournier/Frye like some of you are suggesting, it'd probably be for a SF/PG which might make it hard for him to start.

I think we're fine at the SF slot, even if we trade one of Evan/ Tobias, we still have 1 of the 2, Mario, and Aaron can even play the 3. Henny believes that Elf can be an elite PG and doesn't want to give up on him according to reports, so I see no reason why we'd get a PG. I see us getting a 5/4. Which we desperately need one of the two, if not both. Only way I see us trading for a SF/PG is for a star player.

I as well hope AG plays the 3, meaning we'd go for a 4. But a 5? Why with Vucevic? Unless Vucevic is traded obviously.

7 years

Viper1500 wrote:

Imafoo1 wrote:

Viper1500 wrote:If were to trade Harris/Fournier/Frye like some of you are suggesting, it'd probably be for a SF/PG which might make it hard for him to start.

I think we're fine at the SF slot, even if we trade one of Evan/ Tobias, we still have 1 of the 2, Mario, and Aaron can even play the 3. Henny believes that Elf can be an elite PG and doesn't want to give up on him according to reports, so I see no reason why we'd get a PG. I see us getting a 5/4. Which we desperately need one of the two, if not both. Only way I see us trading for a SF/PG is for a star player.

I as well hope AG plays the 3, meaning we'd go for a 4. But a 5? Why with Vucevic? Unless Vucevic is traded obviously.

We desperately need a backup. When Vooch isn't playing well, we have no one that can come in and take his spot, or challenge him for his starting spot time to time to keep him trying his hardest.

It seems to me as though the team was doing much better when we didn't feature those guys as much.

Hezonja wille eksplode sonner or later, just remember how he was struggle in first months and look at him now, hes more comfortable hes reading the plays much better, he providing us lot of energy and hes fluid without any fear even SS benched him after only one mistake wich is totally ***** up but he did not complain, now you can see, he feels much better on the floor and remember he did not played too much on Barcelona and he came pure raw here, in year or two he will be our key guy, also AG, biggest wrong move was keeping Tobias and get him bigger contract and now you can see that he dont have what he should to make that step and became our franchise player. Get rid of Frye, Nicholson-that guy is slow and thurtle- no offence Nik;) Evan should be off loaded on the trade block hopes in addition of some quality player. Something will change soon. Go my Magic!

Hezonja can stay behind Oladipo at Sg on the depth chart imo. if rather move Harris if they plan on starting Mario from this point forward.

I agree with the poster above that Hezonja for now should be behind Vic but he needs to get 20-25 minutes constantly and what's most important, open shots and ball in his hands when he's playing with the 2nd unit.

As for the OP question, I expect him to crack the SL around mid-early 2016/2017 season. Whether it will be at SG or SF, I'm not sure.

Sooner, better

Skiles said in London if he were coach a few years ago and Mario was on the team he'd be playing him 28-30 a game, so I read that as if we're not competing, Hezonja will at least play big minutes. Starter though? That really is like the last move Skiles would have to try.

He said he and GM seriously considering to start him in very first game
Now he is even better, much better and orlando isn't Po team anymore

I don't know when MH hits the starting lineup, I just want to see him continue to log minutes consistently.

He is not ready yet. He is getting good minutes latel and should continue coming off the bench until his defense and ballhandling improve.

He was good defensively today but he was bad offensively
Fournier was same bad offensively as starter couple of times but he as the best was average defensively

Fournier is much more refined as a ballhandler and decision maker than Mario, though he tends to be selfish at times. I love Mario, but sometimes it seems like he is handling hot potato. His ability to change directions or speed with the ball is limted at the moment, and his patience navigating screen and roll is not there yet. I love his court vision, but his ballhandling is not yet where it needs to be. Defensively we are hiding him on least potent perimeter player most of the time, while Fournier guards some of the best. So it is not fair to compare at this point.

He made some progress since the start of the season and needs to continue working, there is no need to rush it be putting him in the starting lineup without him earning it. I am sure he will get his chances in April when we will probably fall out of playoff picture.