Let's Talk About Mario

[pepe1991]

Seriously? Evan has been the most consistent player Orlando has had this season. I want Mario to get a chance too, but I can't possibly see how you think Mario is better than Evan.

I don't understand this board. Why are our best scorers criticized for playing selfish basketball? Evan is in the top 20 in the NBA in 3 pointers made, and in percentage. He needs to shoot, not pass to Jason Smith for a long 2 or back to Elfrid to jack up something.

Maybe in your paralel universe we are playoff team where Hezonja is logjam prospect and Fournier is locked on 5 years team friendly deal so we have no time to develop trough playing rookie. But in my world Fournier is contract warrior who is betting on himself that he will be payed this summer, by Magic or any other team willing to pay ( probably somebody like 76ers ). And in same time Hezonja is 5# draft pick who is ranked #17 in min played by rookies. Even second round picks ( on better teams than Magic) are getting more playing time.

And talking about productivity, Batum 26 points, Lebron 18 ( when they swiched Oladipo on him ), DD 26 points, Evan Turner 16 points on 11 shots are just few of guys who destoyed Fournier on defense, Batum being worst to eye test where he was targeting Fournier whole game long. Last game is best example why long term Fournier is nowhere near player that you can keep as SF. He played 33 min against above average Eastern team, he went 5-16 , but ok, he didn't have his best night, HOWEVER how da F starting SF in this league can finish game with ZERO REBOUNDS???? To go with TWO FREAKING ASSISTS ONLY? What a hell he can do at SF really? He can't defend, can't block shots (4 blocks in almost 65+ games) ,he is average at stealing balls, he can't rebound and he is selfish passer for player with high usage ( 2,7 apg puts him in Harris range -below average for SF ). Just what a hell makes him good ? Dude is second offensive option on a team right now ( 4 games without Vuć) he had ONE great game vs non playoff team- Denver, one solid game - Raptors 21 points ( where his man outscored him -DD 26 ) and did solid job filling box score being usless really ( vs Portland, blowout by almost 40 points ), where in reality he only played 1 quater good and was no factor to rest of a game.

We turned offense to him in last 12 games, we are 3-9 in that period, that puts us in rage of Lakers, Nets and 76ers in win percentage.

By your rationale, Batum destroyed every teams opposing player in the last 5 games. Those teams should discard their players as well.

15 points vs Spurs- average game
24 vs Denver- Nuggets are missing Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari
19 vs Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway
26 vs us - ofc
20 vs Dallas- vs Parsons, not much of defender himself
14 vs Houston against great defender Ariza
17 vs Pistons on 6-15 shooting vs guy we dumped for nothing
15 vs NO- they suck worst than us
11 vs T wolves, Wiggins was guarding him


so where are other "destroying " games ? He scored most points against us, than against team that is missing 2 SFs, than Dallas who plays fast pace and trades points.

[BadMofoPimp]

Maybe in your paralel universe we are playoff team where Hezonja is logjam prospect and Fournier is locked on 5 years team friendly deal so we have no time to develop trough playing rookie. But in my world Fournier is contract warrior who is betting on himself that he will be payed this summer, by Magic or any other team willing to pay ( probably somebody like 76ers ). And in same time Hezonja is 5# draft pick who is ranked #17 in min played by rookies. Even second round picks ( on better teams than Magic) are getting more playing time.

And talking about productivity, Batum 26 points, Lebron 18 ( when they swiched Oladipo on him ), DD 26 points, Evan Turner 16 points on 11 shots are just few of guys who destoyed Fournier on defense, Batum being worst to eye test where he was targeting Fournier whole game long. Last game is best example why long term Fournier is nowhere near player that you can keep as SF. He played 33 min against above average Eastern team, he went 5-16 , but ok, he didn't have his best night, HOWEVER how da F starting SF in this league can finish game with ZERO REBOUNDS???? To go with TWO FREAKING ASSISTS ONLY? What a hell he can do at SF really? He can't defend, can't block shots (4 blocks in almost 65+ games) ,he is average at stealing balls, he can't rebound and he is selfish passer for player with high usage ( 2,7 apg puts him in Harris range -below average for SF ). Just what a hell makes him good ? Dude is second offensive option on a team right now ( 4 games without Vuć) he had ONE great game vs non playoff team- Denver, one solid game - Raptors 21 points ( where his man outscored him -DD 26 ) and did solid job filling box score being usless really ( vs Portland, blowout by almost 40 points ), where in reality he only played 1 quater good and was no factor to rest of a game.

We turned offense to him in last 12 games, we are 3-9 in that period, that puts us in rage of Lakers, Nets and 76ers in win percentage.

By your rationale, Batum destroyed every teams opposing player in the last 5 games. Those teams should discard their players as well.

15 points vs Spurs- average game
24 vs Denver- Nuggets are missing Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari
19 vs Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway
26 vs us - ofc
20 vs Dallas- vs Parsons, not much of defender himself
14 vs Houston against great defender Ariza
17 vs Pistons on 6-15 shooting vs guy we dumped for nothing
15 vs NO- they suck worst than us
11 vs T wolves, Wiggins was guarding him


so where are other "destroying " games ? He scored most points against us, than against team that is missing 2 SFs, than Dallas who plays fast pace and trades points.

So, by your rationale, 3/4 of the league's SF are garbage!

I like this one as an excuse even though Deng has always been an above average defender: Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway. Or, NO- they suck worst than us

You had me won over with those.

Team has worse record so that is the reason said player went off on them! Hahaha. FYI. Magic are only like 1-2 games above New Orleans.

Maybe, just maybe, our team defense just plain sucks.

[pepe1991]

By your rationale, Batum destroyed every teams opposing player in the last 5 games. Those teams should discard their players as well.

15 points vs Spurs- average game
24 vs Denver- Nuggets are missing Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari
19 vs Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway
26 vs us - ofc
20 vs Dallas- vs Parsons, not much of defender himself
14 vs Houston against great defender Ariza
17 vs Pistons on 6-15 shooting vs guy we dumped for nothing
15 vs NO- they suck worst than us
11 vs T wolves, Wiggins was guarding him


so where are other "destroying " games ? He scored most points against us, than against team that is missing 2 SFs, than Dallas who plays fast pace and trades points.

So, by your rationale, 3/4 of the league's SF are garbage!

I like this one as an excuse even though Deng has always been an above average defender: Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway. Or, NO- they suck worst than us

You had me won over with those.

Team has worse record so that is the reason said player went off on them! Hahaha. FYI. Magic are only like 1-2 games above New Orleans.

Maybe, just maybe, our team defense just plain sucks.

What a F you talking about? First of all half of a game he was guarded by rookie Winslow, because unlike us ,some teams actually invest time in developing their rookies, not only that but they also play their second round pick . Above that they have Joe Johnson in starting line up who is horrid defender for years now. (old, declining)

NO are having 26-43 record, by what math it's 1-2 games below us? It's 3 games and they just shut down Davis for a seaason, and Rhyno is having shady injury- aka- they started to tank.

I agree that our team defense sucks, but that doesn't make Fournier good defender. Thank you for making argument for me.

[BadMofoPimp]

15 points vs Spurs- average game
24 vs Denver- Nuggets are missing Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari
19 vs Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway
26 vs us - ofc
20 vs Dallas- vs Parsons, not much of defender himself
14 vs Houston against great defender Ariza
17 vs Pistons on 6-15 shooting vs guy we dumped for nothing
15 vs NO- they suck worst than us
11 vs T wolves, Wiggins was guarding him


so where are other "destroying " games ? He scored most points against us, than against team that is missing 2 SFs, than Dallas who plays fast pace and trades points.

So, by your rationale, 3/4 of the league's SF are garbage!

I like this one as an excuse even though Deng has always been an above average defender: Miami -they are looking to move away from Deng anyway. Or, NO- they suck worst than us

You had me won over with those.

Team has worse record so that is the reason said player went off on them! Hahaha. FYI. Magic are only like 1-2 games above New Orleans.

Maybe, just maybe, our team defense just plain sucks.

What a F you talking about? First of all half of a game he was guarded by rookie Winslow, because unlike us ,some teams actually invest time in developing their rookies, not only that but they also play their second round pick . Above that they have Joe Johnson in starting line up who is horrid defender for years now. (old, declining)

NO are having 26-43 record, by what math it's 1-2 games below us? It's 3 games and they just shut down Davis for a seaason, and Rhyno is having shady injury- aka- they started to tank.

I agree that our team defense sucks, but that doesn't make Fournier good defender. Thank you for making argument for me.

1) FYI. Davis played in that game.

2) Magic are barely better than New Orleans when healthy

3) Winslow is already an above average defender and most of the NBA knows that.

But, you already know that Batum only goes off on the Magic because Fournier is guarding him. Not that the whole team sucks on defense.

[monchief]

Evan is not better player for orlando right now
He plays selfish basketball and that hurts the team
Hezonja play teams basketball
He is better for team
And with consistent minutes he will be better player in matter of months

Seriously? Evan has been the most consistent player Orlando has had this season. I want Mario to get a chance too, but I can't possibly see how you think Mario is better than Evan.

I don't understand this board. Why are our best scorers criticized for playing selfish basketball? Evan is in the top 20 in the NBA in 3 pointers made, and in percentage. He needs to shoot, not pass to Jason Smith for a long 2 or back to Elfrid to jack up something.

Maybe in your paralel universe we are playoff team where Hezonja is logjam prospect and Fournier is locked on 5 years team friendly deal so we have no time to develop trough playing rookie. But in my world Fournier is contract warrior who is betting on himself that he will be payed this summer, by Magic or any other team willing to pay ( probably somebody like 76ers ). And in same time Hezonja is 5# draft pick who is ranked #17 in min played by rookies. Even second round picks ( on better teams than Magic) are getting more playing time.

And talking about productivity, Batum 26 points, Lebron 18 ( when they swiched Oladipo on him ), DD 26 points, Evan Turner 16 points on 11 shots are just few of guys who destoyed Fournier on defense, Batum being worst to eye test where he was targeting Fournier whole game long. Last game is best example why long term Fournier is nowhere near player that you can keep as SF. He played 33 min against above average Eastern team, he went 5-16 , but ok, he didn't have his best night, HOWEVER how da F starting SF in this league can finish game with ZERO REBOUNDS???? To go with TWO FREAKING ASSISTS ONLY? What a hell he can do at SF really? He can't defend, can't block shots (4 blocks in almost 65+ games) ,he is average at stealing balls, he can't rebound and he is selfish passer for player with high usage ( 2,7 apg puts him in Harris range -below average for SF ). Just what a hell makes him good ? Dude is second offensive option on a team right now ( 4 games without Vuć) he had ONE great game vs non playoff team- Denver, one solid game - Raptors 21 points ( where his man outscored him -DD 26 ) and did solid job filling box score being usless really ( vs Portland, blowout by almost 40 points ), where in reality he only played 1 quater good and was no factor to rest of a game.

We turned offense to him in last 12 games, we are 3-9 in that period, that puts us in rage of Lakers, Nets and 76ers in win percentage.

First of all, it should be pretty clear to you that Evan is being asked to play out of position. That's not his fault. He's an SG. I'm not arguing that Evan is better for this "make the playoffs" agenda. That ship has sailed and we should be playing Mario as well. That's not my point. My point is, Evan is the better player right now, not that he should bump Mario out of PT.

Evan has improved in both his volume and efficiency ever year he's been in the league. I don't really see how that's being a "contract warrior". Do we really care that our guards are not rebounding or blocking shots? Other than Oladipo, Vucevic, and Smith, who should Evan be passing to who can get a better shot? He has the highest TS% on the team, why would you not want him to get shots up? His TOV% is the lowest of any guard on our team, so he's more careful with the ball than anyone else.

[Xatticus]

Do you know what happens when you assume?

Mario has never stated he is angry and in every interview talks about what coach wants him to work on. Doesn't sound frustrated and wanting to bolt Orlando to me. I can't imagine Mario being stupid enough to be angry and frustrated. He should be more concerned with learning the NBA game.

Should he be happy that he is not playing? Have you ever been happy spending lengthy spells on the bench?

Hezonja's idol spent his first season plus rotting on Portland's bench. Petrovic's displeasure/frustration has since been well-documented. Those Portland teams were terrific, but Petrovic was a superior player to every one of the guards that were keeping him off the floor.

The situations aren't that similar, as Petrovic was far more polished at that time than Hezonja is now. But the Magic don't exactly have any Clyde Drexlers blocking his path to minutes.

[BadMofoPimp]

Do you know what happens when you assume?

Mario has never stated he is angry and in every interview talks about what coach wants him to work on. Doesn't sound frustrated and wanting to bolt Orlando to me. I can't imagine Mario being stupid enough to be angry and frustrated. He should be more concerned with learning the NBA game.

Should he be happy that he is not playing? Have you ever been happy spending lengthy spells on the bench?

Hezonja's idol spent his first season plus rotting on Portland's bench. Petrovic's displeasure/frustration has since been well-documented. Those Portland teams were terrific, but Petrovic was a superior player to every one of the guards that were keeping him off the floor.

The situations aren't that similar, as Petrovic was far more polished at that time than Hezonja is now. But the Magic don't exactly have any Clyde Drexlers blocking his path to minutes.

The telling thing will be to see what changes are made to the roster this summer. I bet some of these "Logjams" will be resolved by then. Mario is the SF of the future. Because, Fournier is too small to be a long term answer at SF unless he accepts backing up Mario/Dipo. Unless, Dipo, Mario or Fournier move to PG and Payton backs them up. I only see those scenarios if Henny strikes out again in Free Agency. Will get intersting. I doubt there is frustration though as Mario mentions coaches are constantly working with him on developing his game. He didn't get that in Europe.

[ezzzp]

People need to stop complaining about Evan Fournier...Fournier is 23.145, that is barely two years older than Mario Hezonja. He is still two years away from entering his prime. He is also developing plus is playing out of position:

Top TS% amongst guards and forwards with:
+1400 minutes (quality sample size)
+40 games started (vs starting quality competition):



Top Assist % for players that are 6'6" to 6"9" (small forwards) with:
+1400 minutes (quality sample size)
+40 games started (vs starting quality competition):



...and the players in front of Mario Hezonja are all very young, all lottery picks, and deserved their minutes over him:

[Skin]

People need to stop complaining about Evan Fournier...Fournier is 23.145, that is barely two years older than Mario Hezonja. He is still two years away from entering his prime. He is also developing plus is playing out of position:

Top TS% amongst guards and forwards with:
+1400 minutes (quality sample size)
+40 games started (vs starting quality competition):



Top Assist % for players that are 6'6" to 6"9" (small forwards) with:
+1400 minutes (quality sample size)
+40 games started (vs starting quality competition):



...and the players in front of Mario Hezonja are all very young, all lottery picks, and deserved their minutes over him:

Do you think Fournier is good enough to start for the Magic as a team that is a true contender?

[Skin]

If we resign Fournier, does anyone see Hezonja being a starter? If so, when? 1 year, 2, years, 3 years, more?

[KillMonger]

If we resign Fournier, does anyone see Hezonja being a starter? If so, when? 1 year, 2, years, 3 years, more?

i hope so, but as long as skiles is head coach thats not happening

[OrlandoNed]

If we resign Fournier, does anyone see Hezonja being a starter? If so, when? 1 year, 2, years, 3 years, more?

Probably when he's playing as good as Fournier. I see us giving Fournier the Harris treatment once Hennigan thinks Hezonja is ready and sees Skiles still letting Evan be a selfish teammate.

[Skin]

If we resign Fournier, does anyone see Hezonja being a starter? If so, when? 1 year, 2, years, 3 years, more?

Probably when he's playing as good as Fournier. I see us giving Fournier the Harris treatment once Hennigan thinks Hezonja is ready and sees Skiles still letting Evan be a selfish teammate.

So do you think it's worth it to keep Fournier around then? If all we're gonna do is flip him for expirings or something as minimal as that, is it worth blocking playing time for Hezonja?

[OrlandoNed]

If we resign Fournier, does anyone see Hezonja being a starter? If so, when? 1 year, 2, years, 3 years, more?

Probably when he's playing as good as Fournier. I see us giving Fournier the Harris treatment once Hennigan thinks Hezonja is ready and sees Skiles still letting Evan be a selfish teammate.

So do you think it's worth it to keep Fournier around then? If all we're gonna do is flip him for expirings or something as minimal as that, is it worth blocking playing time for Hezonja?

Eh, I'm on the fence. I think it depends if Evan would be cool with backing up Oladipo and if we can sign Batum or Barnes to make the free agency splash that upper management wants to make.
I don't know if either will happen. If neither happen, are we going to be able to make the playoffs that the front office is so desperate to get into with Mario as the starting SF with a small time free agent backing him up?

[LacosteM]

If we resign Fournier, does anyone see Hezonja being a starter? If so, when? 1 year, 2, years, 3 years, more?

Mario is already a superior fit in many of the team's lineups. Elfrid/Dipo/Fournier 3-man lineup is already a proven failure, while Elfrid/Dipo/Mario lineup keeps showing promising results and is deep in plus column in NetRtg. As our playoff chances are basically nonexsistent I don't see a reason why Skiles is still sticking with Fournier in the starting lineup, especially as Mario did pretty well in his 4 starts.

[Skin]

Probably when he's playing as good as Fournier. I see us giving Fournier the Harris treatment once Hennigan thinks Hezonja is ready and sees Skiles still letting Evan be a selfish teammate.

So do you think it's worth it to keep Fournier around then? If all we're gonna do is flip him for expirings or something as minimal as that, is it worth blocking playing time for Hezonja?

Eh, I'm on the fence. I think it depends if Evan would be cool with backing up Oladipo and if we can sign Batum or Barnes to make the free agency splash that upper management wants to make.
I don't know if either will happen. If neither happen, are we going to be able to make the playoffs that the front office is so desperate to get into with Mario as the starting SF with a small time free agent backing him up?

Well according to the ratings that someone posted a little while back, we are already a better TEAM with Mario in the line up...

The Magic drafted Hezonja #5 overall. That's not a cheap investment. Ideally, you make those picks with the hopes that you DON'T have to spend big in order to cover your ass at that position. Hennigan better hope to hell that Hezonja is good enough to be a starter on a contender, otherwise the pick was made in poor confidence... and we should've traded it instead.

But I doubt that is the case, when Hennigan drafted Hezonja, we were already stacked at the position (Tobias, Fournier, Gordon). So he must have been REALLY HIGH on him. I'm not on the fence regarding my interpretation of Hennigan's expectations of Hezonja. They must be HIGH. Definitely high enough to foresee him being a starter on a contender.

Speaking of Gordon, he is not strictly a PF. If Hezonja was made the starting SF, I don't think we need to back him up with a "small time free agent". I think Gordon could help solidify us at SF better than a small FA would.

All this talk of Batum, Barnes, Parsons... I really don't get why Magic fans want this... or even expect that Hennigan would do something like that. I mean... I guess it could happen, but if it does... well then, Alex Martins did it and Hennigan should start brushing up his resume.

[OrlandoNed]

So do you think it's worth it to keep Fournier around then? If all we're gonna do is flip him for expirings or something as minimal as that, is it worth blocking playing time for Hezonja?

Eh, I'm on the fence. I think it depends if Evan would be cool with backing up Oladipo and if we can sign Batum or Barnes to make the free agency splash that upper management wants to make.
I don't know if either will happen. If neither happen, are we going to be able to make the playoffs that the front office is so desperate to get into with Mario as the starting SF with a small time free agent backing him up?

Well according to the ratings that someone posted a little while back, we are already a better TEAM with Mario in the line up...

The Magic drafted Hezonja #5 overall. That's not a cheap investment. Ideally, you make those picks with the hopes that you DON'T have to spend big in order to cover your ass at that position. Hennigan better hope to hell that Hezonja is good enough to be a starter on a contender, otherwise the pick was made in poor confidence... and we should've traded it instead.

But I doubt that is the case, when Hennigan drafted Hezonja, we were already stacked at the position (Tobias, Fournier, Gordon). So he must have been REALLY HIGH on him. I'm not on the fence regarding my interpretation of Hennigan's expectations of Hezonja. They must be HIGH. Definitely high enough to foresee him being a starter on a contender.

Speaking of Gordon, he is not strictly a PF. If Hezonja was made the starting SF, I don't think we need to back him up with a "small time free agent". I think Gordon could help solidify us at SF better than a small FA would.

All this talk of Batum, Barnes, Parsons... I really don't get why Magic fans want this... or even expect that Hennigan would do something like that. I mean... I guess it could happen, but if it does... well then, Alex Martins did it and Hennigan should start brushing up his resume.

I know the numbers say we're better with Mario, unfortunately Skiles doesn't care and lets Fournier continue to play selfishly.

If Gordon is going to play backup SF, what do we do with that gaping hole at PF where we currently have no legit options aside from Gordon?

We are talking about Batum, Barnes and Parsons because the front office has been preaching that they want to make big free agent splashes and that Payton, Oladipo, Gordon and Vucevic are the future at PG, SG, PF and C. If those facts are true, what other position are they intending to upgrade at when free agency is very SF heavy?

[ezzzp]

People need to stop complaining about Evan Fournier...Fournier is 23.145, that is barely two years older than Mario Hezonja. He is still two years away from entering his prime. He is also developing plus is playing out of position:

Top TS% amongst guards and forwards with:
+1400 minutes (quality sample size)
+40 games started (vs starting quality competition):



Top Assist % for players that are 6'6" to 6"9" (small forwards) with:
+1400 minutes (quality sample size)
+40 games started (vs starting quality competition):



...and the players in front of Mario Hezonja are all very young, all lottery picks, and deserved their minutes over him:

Do you think Fournier is good enough to start for the Magic as a team that is a true contender?

Both Mario and Fournier are maybe's to your question.

Nobody knows how good they'll both end up being once they enter their prime - which at the very earliest is 25 years old. The same goes for Oladipo. We also don't know what position Aaron Gordon ends up playing. Plus the Magic will add multiple players this summer with a top 10 pick and room for two max players.

There are just too many variables to even remotely begin to assign who is the starter. You certainly don't let Fournier get away until you know for sure.

Put it this way, if Mario is putting up the numbers Fournier is right now in a 1.5 years when he turns 23, Magic fans would be ecstatic. Both are similar in size 6-8 215 vs 6-7 205. Mario is more athletic; Fournier is more savvy; both can shoot lights out; neither is a good defender; Mario is a much better passer, Fournier is a much better ball handler.

For all we know, it could be both Fournier and Hezonja starting and Oladipo off the bench. We just don't know yet, which is why its naive for people to say Skiles should just hand Hezonja the starting role or gift him minutes, and sacrifice Fournier's to do so.

[Skin]

Eh, I'm on the fence. I think it depends if Evan would be cool with backing up Oladipo and if we can sign Batum or Barnes to make the free agency splash that upper management wants to make.
I don't know if either will happen. If neither happen, are we going to be able to make the playoffs that the front office is so desperate to get into with Mario as the starting SF with a small time free agent backing him up?

Well according to the ratings that someone posted a little while back, we are already a better TEAM with Mario in the line up...

The Magic drafted Hezonja #5 overall. That's not a cheap investment. Ideally, you make those picks with the hopes that you DON'T have to spend big in order to cover your ass at that position. Hennigan better hope to hell that Hezonja is good enough to be a starter on a contender, otherwise the pick was made in poor confidence... and we should've traded it instead.

But I doubt that is the case, when Hennigan drafted Hezonja, we were already stacked at the position (Tobias, Fournier, Gordon). So he must have been REALLY HIGH on him. I'm not on the fence regarding my interpretation of Hennigan's expectations of Hezonja. They must be HIGH. Definitely high enough to foresee him being a starter on a contender.

Speaking of Gordon, he is not strictly a PF. If Hezonja was made the starting SF, I don't think we need to back him up with a "small time free agent". I think Gordon could help solidify us at SF better than a small FA would.

All this talk of Batum, Barnes, Parsons... I really don't get why Magic fans want this... or even expect that Hennigan would do something like that. I mean... I guess it could happen, but if it does... well then, Alex Martins did it and Hennigan should start brushing up his resume.

I know the numbers say we're better with Mario, unfortunately Skiles doesn't care and lets Fournier continue to play selfishly.

If Gordon is going to play backup SF, what do we do with that gaping hole at PF where we currently have no legit options aside from Gordon?

We are talking about Batum, Barnes and Parsons because the front office has been preaching that they want to make big free agent splashes and that Payton, Oladipo, Gordon and Vucevic are the future at PG, SG, PF and C. If those facts are true, what other position are they intending to upgrade at when free agency is very SF heavy?

Well Skiles played Tobias selfishly too and Hennigan got rid of him on the cheap. This after saying how he was an important player for the Magic during the summer. That's typical GM talk.

In your post you ask "what other position are they intending to upgrade (other than SF)" and also mention "gaping hole at PF". So I think you answered your own question.





Has the front office really come out and say they are wanting to make a big free agent signing, because that doesn't sound like Hennigan's style.

[zelenooq]

It is not fourniers fault how skiles treats mario. Evan is better player right now than him. But I really don't understand why mario isn't getting more chance since magic is out of PO. He wasn't that bad on D last night.

Evan is not better player for orlando right now
He plays selfish basketball and that hurts the team
Hezonja play teams basketball
He is better for team
And with consistent minutes he will be better player in matter of months

Seriously? Evan has been the most consistent player Orlando has had this season. I want Mario to get a chance too, but I can't possibly see how you think Mario is better than Evan.

I don't understand this board. Why are our best scorers criticized for playing selfish basketball? Evan is in the top 20 in the NBA in 3 pointers made, and in percentage. He needs to shoot, not pass to Jason Smith for a long 2 or back to Elfrid to jack up something.

You really don't know what basketball is, do you?
Basketball isn't golf, it's team sport so your scoring doesn't meaning much, and fournier half of season isn't consistent either
But it doesn't matter, you have to play team play
If you just shot and pass to only one guy :
- defense could handle you easier (better opponent defense)
- teammates get cold and produce much worse to the team
So, mario isn't selfish guy and with same freedom fournier has could provide not much less than fournier but with team play he could provide much more to the team