Let's Talk About Mario

[OrlandO]

Stojakovic watched in-person Friday night as Hezonja and the Magic played against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Now 38 years old, Stojakovic is in his first season as the Kings' director of player personnel and development.

"We talked about the transition," Hezonja said. "You know how the older guys are: 'Just shut up and work.' That's the best advice from everybody. So that's what I'm doing."

Stojakovic and Hezonja were introduced to each other by a mutual friend, and Stojakovic gave Hezonja the same advice he'd give any highly drafted rookie: Let your game speak for itself.

"He has the potential, but he has a long way to go to prove it," Stojakovic said before Friday's tipoff. "That's why it's always better to let your game speak for itself than do anything before that. Just prove yourself to your teammates, to the coaches, and that's how you've got to earn respect from everybody around the league. It's simple."

"I don't know [Mario] that well, but just from talking to him, he's a very humble kid," Stojakovic said. "I hear he has a great work ethic. He's 'basketball cocky,' but that doesn't mean he's a bad guy. I like his confidence on the court."

[drsd]

If Stojakovic is a fan of Hezonja, this could be the in towards a Cousins' trade. If GM Hennigan could get Cousins for only Hezonja, Fournier and Orlando's first, wow.

Payton/Jennings/FA
Oladipo/FA
Gordon/FA
Cousins/FA/Nicholson
Vučević/Smith/Dedmon

Looks like a 45+ win team to me. And a team GM Hennigan could build on leading to the 2017/18 season.


..

[Gordon]

Hezonja is starting to look like Ben McLemore. Beautiful form, quick release, but the shots just don`t go in for him.

[gazken]

If Stojakovic is a fan of Hezonja, this could be the in towards a Cousins' trade. If GM Hennigan could get Cousins for only Hezonja, Fournier and Orlando's first, wow.

Payton/Jennings/FA
Oladipo/FA
Gordon/FA
Cousins/FA/Nicholson
Vučević/Smith/Dedmon

Looks like a 45+ win team to me. And a team GM Hennigan could build on leading to the 2017/18 season.


..

keep dreaming

[OrlandoDream]

Mario had an ok game. He had stretches where we played great and others where he just seemed uncomfortable. One thing that he(and AG too) need to stop doing every game is hesitating when they have a good look. They do this 5-6 times every game combined or more. Both need to be more confident and let it fly. Everybody in that arena is waiting for you guys.

[Orlwillbeback]

Hezonja is starting to look like Ben McLemore. Beautiful form, quick release, but the shots just don`t go in for him.

no wayyy hezonja has such a much higher ceiling than mclemore its not even funny.

[Def Swami]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

[gazken]

would love to see that trade but its hard to see bogie joining unless we have locked up someone else first for him to team up with. Maybe if Henny can bag either Conley or Parsons then he may consider.He got more chance out east to win title. Just can see Kings going for that trade though. Think Boston stand a better chance with the good pick they have plus some young players.

We might have to sling the house at Kings to tempt them. Maybe something like. Vuc, Dipo, Mario and pick.

Id be ok with any trade senario that doesnt have Gordon in it to get Boogie though

[KillMonger]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

this again ? not happening....kings not trading cuz

[cedric76]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

this again ? not happening....kings not trading cuz

I love vuc
And don't like dmc s attitude
But on paper we could build a great team with that trade

Once you have boogie, you then can justify getting horford

Max horford
Max Conley
Match evan
Qo to AN
I think we won't be able to retain smith unfortunately

Pg: Conley,ep,cj
Sg: dipo,Evan,marble
Sf:ag,Evan,marble
Pf: horford,ag,ersan,AN
C:dmc,horford,ded

It s soooo deep


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[zelenooq]

I hope orlando will trade hezonja

[Def Swami]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

this again ? not happening....kings not trading cuz

He'll be traded in due time. Won't be shocked if it's this summer. The Magic should throw their hat in the race.

[Def Swami]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

this again ? not happening....kings not trading cuz

I love vuc
And don't like dmc s attitude
But on paper we could build a great team with that trade

Once you have boogie, you then can justify getting horford

Max horford
Max Conley
Match evan
Qo to AN
I think we won't be able to retain smith unfortunately

Pg: Conley,ep,cj
Sg: dipo,Evan,marble
Sf:ag,Evan,marble
Pf: horford,ag,ersan,AN
C:dmc,horford,ded

It s soooo deep


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That's the thing. If the Magic really want to play the free agency game, they have to have a draw. Right now there really isn't anything substantive to sell to someone like Mike Conley or Al Horford or whatever dream free agent you can think of in the future. I like Vucevic too. I think he gets railed on so much more than he deserves. But I'm not blind to the fact that he has some limitations. DMC isn't a staunch defender, but I do believe that he has better potential to be than Vucevic. And he's a better offensive option with a higher TS% and draws way more fouls and FTA's. He'd complement the rest of the team a lot better than Vucevic and you could continue to excel with Aaron Gordon at PF too. Selling Mike Conley on playing with Boogie is a lot easier than doing so with Vucevic. I don't really hate Cousins' attitude. I actually think I'd welcome it to a team full of nice guys.

[cedric76]

this again ? not happening....kings not trading cuz

I love vuc
And don't like dmc s attitude
But on paper we could build a great team with that trade

Once you have boogie, you then can justify getting horford

Max horford
Max Conley
Match evan
Qo to AN
I think we won't be able to retain smith unfortunately

Pg: Conley,ep,cj
Sg: dipo,Evan,marble
Sf:ag,Evan,marble
Pf: horford,ag,ersan,AN
C:dmc,horford,ded

It s soooo deep


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That's the thing. If the Magic really want to play the free agency game, they have to have a draw. Right now there really isn't anything substantive to sell to someone like Mike Conley or Al Horford or whatever dream free agent you can think of in the future. I like Vucevic too. I think he gets railed on so much more than he deserves. But I'm not blind to the fact that he has some limitations. DMC isn't a staunch defender, but I do believe that he has better potential to be than Vucevic. And he's a better offensive option with a higher TS% and draws way more fouls and FTA's. He'd complement the rest of the team a lot better than Vucevic and you could continue to excel with Aaron Gordon at PF too. Selling Mike Conley on playing with Boogie is a lot easier than doing so with Vucevic. I don't really hate Cousins' attitude. I actually think I'd welcome it to a team full of nice guys.

So true

Also, I think vuc+Mario+1st is a lot to give, but this would really attract good fa and show them that we are serious about winning

As for Sacramento, no more headache and great guys to build around

[ezzzp]

Unless there is another franchise player in play, I seriously doubt DeMarcus Cousins will be traded any time soon; at the earliest the summer of 2017. He is on a pre-cap-inflation max ($18m per) + Sacramento has full control of his contract for two more seasons - no options.

Teams don't trade away franchise players unless they absolutely have to. They try everything in their power to salvage the situation. Sacramento first would fire George Karl and hire a coach that can have a better working relationship with their franchise player. Then they will spend lots of money to bring him some help.

Only after those first two steps are taken, do I feel Sacramento will begin to consider a trade. In my opinion both of those things will happen this summer. They will give it a season and if the problems persist after that, then they'll begin to test the market with a full offseason and up to the trade deadline to move him.

[Xatticus]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

this again ? not happening....kings not trading cuz

It's just a matter of time until he gets traded, but the Kings aren't under much pressure to do so yet. It seems a certainly that he won't sign another extension with Sacramento. They lack youth, complementary talent, or the means to acquire either, so they aren't turning any competitive corners anytime soon.

He has to be dealt in one of the next three windows if Sacramento wants to keep their leverage in any negotiations. I won't guess as to when it will happen, but there isn't much point in putting off the inevitable.

The Kings have some really big issues in their front office. They have an owner that loves basketball and wants to be very involved, but doesn't have a very good understanding of the NBA. He has a bunch of different people with different messages trying to get his ear. If they ever sort out the dysfunction in their front office, dealing Cousins will be the lynch pin their transition forward.

[Nemesis21]

Vucevic + Hezonja + 1st for Boogie ASAP.

No thanks.

[fendilim]

Everyone has to stop it with the DMC dream. As good as a player he is, he isn't somebody you can build around. His temperamental nature isn't exactly the kind of character Rob would risk bringing to the team.

[Gordon]

Something to think about. No player in history of the NBA has developed into a All-Star after posting PER of less than 10 in his rookie season.

[RicardoQuaresma]

I hope orlando will trade hezonja

This will happen soon.