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Crotian prospect Mario Hezonja, currently playing for Barcelona, said in an interview to Sportske Novosti that he should be the first pick in the next NBA draft. Hezonja is expected to be a top-10 pick in the draft. The croatian guard also said that he repeated the three winning dunks of LaVine during the Slam Dunk Contest without any problem.

http://www.sportando.com/en/usa/nba/156 ... draft.html

So far I've struggled to find much film of him, and I live in Europe ffs! He's an intriguing prospect.

It's interesting he's brought up Zach LaVine, because for both LaVine and Hezonja the first plays I saw from them were mind-blowing, full-swoop, on-the-break windmills. Zach LaVine against Missouri and Hezonja against Zaragoza.

LaVine:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdtQLPdbQ64[/youtube]

Hezonja @ :26
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=583O3Pc1h5c?t=26s[/youtube]

Love his confidence.

I've seen Hezonja's name on Draftexpress for some time now but never actually saw him play. Does he actually have skill or is he just an athletic wing with "raw potential?"

King- wrote:I've seen Hezonja's name on Draftexpress for some time now but never actually saw him play. Does he actually have skill or is he just an athletic wing with "raw potential?"

Basically an 18-19 year old Kobe. That's how I see him. Doesn't have that goat-like footwork in the post but his mentality and attack-no-matter-what is what I LOVE about him.

I see him in Sacramento or Denver, maybe Atlanta

He has the hops but not the showtime wingspan

I mean, he does have a point. He has elite size (6'8 for a SG), elite athleticism (though not upper echelon) and projects to be an elite shooter as well. Could very easily become the total package with time.

Rosque wrote:

King- wrote:I've seen Hezonja's name on Draftexpress for some time now but never actually saw him play. Does he actually have skill or is he just an athletic wing with "raw potential?"

Basically an 18-19 year old Kobe. That's how I see him. Doesn't have that goat-like footwork in the post but his mentality and attack-no-matter-what is what I LOVE about him.

As a Laker fan, you should realize how much this comparison is unfair. I don't think we see another Kobe for a long time.

Not even close to Kobe. More like Rudy Fernandez on Red Bull.

Lattimer wrote:

Rosque wrote:

King- wrote:I've seen Hezonja's name on Draftexpress for some time now but never actually saw him play. Does he actually have skill or is he just an athletic wing with "raw potential?"

Basically an 18-19 year old Kobe. That's how I see him. Doesn't have that goat-like footwork in the post but his mentality and attack-no-matter-what is what I LOVE about him.

As a Laker fan, you should realize how much this comparison is unfair. I don't think we see another Kobe for a long time.

Not saying he's on the same skill level nor completely same skill-set and all that ish. I mean, 19 year old Kobe was an all-star. I mean that they are/were both cocky as hell, confident and sure that they are the best players on the team. Have that same mentality and all that 'Imma shoot thousand bricks if it means my team wins'. He's also very athletic and has really nice shooting form. Should get to the line a bit more but has good understanding of what to do. Wouldn't call him selfish.

Also. #Hezonja2LA

I think he'll get a chance to improve his draft stock if he gets more exposure from a deep Euroleague tourney run by Barca.

He'll have the added benefit of playing meaningful games later than any college player or even Porzingis who isn't even playing in the Euroleague so his contributions will be fresh in the eyes of scouts.

Rosque wrote:

Lattimer wrote:

Rosque wrote:
Basically an 18-19 year old Kobe. That's how I see him. Doesn't have that goat-like footwork in the post but his mentality and attack-no-matter-what is what I LOVE about him.

As a Laker fan, you should realize how much this comparison is unfair. I don't think we see another Kobe for a long time.

Not saying he's on the same skill level nor completely same skill-set and all that ish. I mean, 19 year old Kobe was an all-star. I mean that they are/were both cocky as hell, confident and sure that they are the best players on the team. Have that same mentality and all that 'Imma shoot thousand bricks if it means my team wins'. He's also very athletic and has really nice shooting form. Should get to the line a bit more but has good understanding of what to do. Wouldn't call him selfish.

Also. #Hezonja2LA

Plus he said several times that his favorite team is Lakers and would like to end up there

Awesome-- just in time. We're going to need a Kobe-like personality replacement in the NBA.

MrTwister wrote:

Rosque wrote:

Lattimer wrote:
As a Laker fan, you should realize how much this comparison is unfair. I don't think we see another Kobe for a long time.

Not saying he's on the same skill level nor completely same skill-set and all that ish. I mean, 19 year old Kobe was an all-star. I mean that they are/were both cocky as hell, confident and sure that they are the best players on the team. Have that same mentality and all that 'Imma shoot thousand bricks if it means my team wins'. He's also very athletic and has really nice shooting form. Should get to the line a bit more but has good understanding of what to do. Wouldn't call him selfish.

Also. #Hezonja2LA

Plus he said several times that his favorite team is Lakers and would like to end up there

Exum said the same thing. I think the Lakers are better of Randle.

Thomas Robinson said the same thing.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpguQkC8tv0[/youtube]
The dude looks real good in this game against legit competition. His defense impresses me too(lateral quickness is great)

DoubleLintendre wrote:Awesome-- just in time. We're going to need a Kobe-like personality replacement in the NBA.

Austin Rivers didn't really do it for you huh?

Johnny Firpo wrote:I mean, he does have a point. He has elite size (6'8 for a SG), elite athleticism (though not upper echelon) and projects to be an elite shooter as well. Could very easily become the total package with time.

I don't think you know what elite means.

Love this kid. I don't know if i'd take him number 1 but he's definitely a top 5 pick.