The Ringer: Can Mario Hezonja Find the Time to Thrive in Orlando?

[JF5]

Mario will have all the time he needs when he gets better. This takes years of development, not a throw em all out there for 35mpg experience and hope for the best.

it doesnt take every player years to development. You need to stop saying that like it is a fact.

If you look at guys like Kobe/T-Mac/Jermaine O'Neal/Paul George/Kawhi Leonard, It took them 3-5 years to become star caliber players.

There are guys who have it immediately and are naturals, but there are guys who need some time to develop/understand the game to realize and harness their talents.

When you look at Hezonja (Just this past season). It's obvious that he's fairly raw, and it will take him a few years to maybe reach his All-Star/Star caliber potential that he's showcased. You just have to have patience...

[tiderulz]

Mario will have all the time he needs when he gets better. This takes years of development, not a throw em all out there for 35mpg experience and hope for the best.

it doesnt take every player years to development. You need to stop saying that like it is a fact.

If you look at guys like Kobe/T-Mac/Jermaine O'Neal/Paul George/Kawhi Leonard, It took them 3-5 years to become star caliber players.

There are guys who have it immediately and are naturals, but there are guys who need some time to develop/understand the game to realize and harness their talents.

When you look at Hezonja (Just this past season). It's obvious that he's fairly raw, and it will take him a few years to maybe reach his All-Star/Star caliber potential that he's showcased. You just have to have patience...

It doesnt take every player 3-5 years to produce well. to become a star, yes that can take longer. But BMP trots out the statement as fact that it takes years of development for players to become decent NBA players. For some yes, but not for all.

so like i said, it doesnt take every players years to develop

[BadMofoPimp]

Mario will have all the time he needs when he gets better. This takes years of development, not a throw em all out there for 35mpg experience and hope for the best.

This... He was a rookie... Its weird that he's pessimistic about his development after being a bench player (And rightfully so) in his first season.

The major issue I have is with the Green signing. He offers nothing more than depth. He doesn't alter anyone's forecast for the Magic's season. Given our commitment to three players in the frontcourt, his minutes have to come at the expense of Hezonja's. Green's future is elsewhere or he wouldn't have been signed to that contract.

When you draft someone with the fifth pick, you have to make a commitment to their development. This is especially true in the modern NBA with a CBA that establishes a definitive time frame for development. Playing time expedites the development process. Players learn a great deal more from game film if they are in it.

I agree. Green will command minutes which will take away some from AG and Mario. But, the Green signing does signal Managements desire to make the playoffs this year.

[darthcheech2000]

When we drafted Mario I knew he wouldn't get the same burn as Oladipo, which was a shame because I think he could have excelled if given a free run. Hopefully, like with JJ, he puts in the work and we get something really special in a couple years.

But, the scariest thing about Mario's rookie year, for me, was how terrible his off shooting nights where, not his defense or anything else. Shooting was the one thing we thought he could do but when he's off, he's waaaaay off. It left me saying at the end of the season "he really is JR Smith"

[PennytoShaq]

Mario can do more than just shoot or he wouldn't be a top 5 pick. The problem is that he didnt get a lot of plays called for him. That's a normal NBA thing. Most rookies don't get that. But a guy like Mario who is having an off night just needs some easy buckets - backdoor layups, spot up midrange shots and sometimes just making those gets everything going. He also needs to be flanked with other shooters, because shooters do have off nights and you can not rely on them every single game.

The other thing I like is that he can play the point enough to get the ball up the court and initiate. He can defend PGs. So if you bring him off the bench as a 6th man and slide him at the 1 for a bit before DJ comes in, that type of lineup could be loaded with shooting.

I really hope Meeks gets better because just being able to bring him in too would give us a sweet bench. DJ/Meeks/Mario/Green/Biz or Vuc. I love that bench. It can shoot us back into games or end them if they come in with the lead. We had nothing like that last year. Our bench was Jason Smith midrange J's over and over.

[JF5]

It doesnt take every player 3-5 years to produce well. to become a star, yes that can take longer. But BMP trots out the statement as fact that it takes years of development for players to become decent NBA players. For some yes, but not for all.

so like i said, it doesnt take every players years to develop

I'm not disagreeing with you, re-read what I said... I'm just paraphrasing what he was saying... From my POV you're just assuming that he's saying that ALL players.

[tiderulz]

It doesnt take every player 3-5 years to produce well. to become a star, yes that can take longer. But BMP trots out the statement as fact that it takes years of development for players to become decent NBA players. For some yes, but not for all.

so like i said, it doesnt take every players years to develop

I'm not disagreeing with you, re-read what I said... I'm just paraphrasing what he was saying... From my POV you're just assuming that he's saying that ALL players.

because he says that on every player. whenever anyone asks about any player, he says the same statement.

[erod009]

I think this whole thing about AG playing SF only hurts Mario Hezonja's value, and that is sad.
Can't understand why the Magic acquired both Biyombo AND J.Green - One of Mario or Vuce is going down.

[Bensational]

I'm prepared for Mario not to log full on minutes this season unless Vogel and Forcier g t him playing at a higher level pretty quickly. As long as the way we use him is indicative of his involvement going forwards I'm happy.

We just have to trust in our coaches ability to develop players. They've shown great acumen for it before and I see Mario as no exception. His handles will get tighter, his shot will come, he already passed well and Vogel will get him playing defense. He'll be fine.

[rb1magicfan]

I think Mario is raw but will be a much better fit at small forward than Gordon will. Vogel wants to use Gordon as the primary ball handler in pick and roll situations. I love Gordon but that is not his strength and whats worst is he thinks it is.This will pull him away from the basket and potential offensive rebounds and put backs (his real strength)and take his advantage against slower power forwards away..When they get to camp Vogel will realize this pretty quickly and move Mario and Evan into that Paul George roll.I think it will be Aaron and Vouch that will suffer the most. I do see a small line up of DJ,Evan,Mario,Aaron,Serge being used more than people think.I like that line up but let me stress Vouch is an All Star player he deserved to be the last two years and every one who wants to throw away one of the most talented centers and offensive players in the league because he does not block enough shots is crazy. Vogel will have Nick in better positions and with Serge and Arron out there covering his back when he does go for blocks (see the void in help D last year after nick rotated to cover Payton"s man) he will be much improved on D. Bottom line is I think Mario will thrive under Vogel for the simple fact that he much more resembles a young Paul George than Aaron does and Vogel is looking for just that.This is just my opinion but as a Magic fan i hope they all breakout this year and Gordon is a beast. Go Magic!!!

[yoyojw17]

I think Mario is raw but will be a much better fit at small forward than Gordon will. Vogel wants to use Gordon as the primary ball handler in pick and roll situations. I love Gordon but that is not his strength and whats worst is he thinks it is.This will pull him away from the basket and potential offensive rebounds and put backs (his real strength)and take his advantage against slower power forwards away..When they get to camp Vogel will realize this pretty quickly and move Mario and Evan into that Paul George roll.I think it will be Aaron and Vouch that will suffer the most. I do see a small line up of DJ,Evan,Mario,Aaron,Serge being used more than people think.I like that line up but let me stress Vouch is an All Star player he deserved to be the last two years and every one who wants to throw away one of the most talented centers and offensive players in the league because he does not block enough shots is crazy. Vogel will have Nick in better positions and with Serge and Arron out there covering his back when he does go for blocks (see the void in help D last year after nick rotated to cover Payton"s man) he will be much improved on D. Bottom line is I think Mario will thrive under Vogel for the simple fact that he much more resembles a young Paul George than Aaron does and Vogel is looking for just that.This is just my opinion but as a Magic fan i hope they all breakout this year and Gordon is a beast. Go Magic!!!

I feel as though this season we will see the biggest steps forward being made by elfrid and gordon's third season and mario's second. in my head as i look at our team... everything is now geared towards these 3 flourishing. I know many might still not think the same... and i can understand.... but these 3 have shown flashes of what they can be along with fire/desire to achieve them. They are our future in my opinion... and obviously the organization feels so too.

I definitely see your thought of Mario being more like paul george.... but george is more like a combination of the 2 of them .... better shooter than gordon.... better defender than mario. Which is fine. And with the way things are looking... they are both getting better at what they are lacking and inevitably will be able to do play multiple positions at high levels. This is the most excited i've been in a while about a season. GO MAGIC!!!!

[ivDT]

if mario develops into the player everyone seems to think he is then i see no reason why wouldn't just play him at the 2 and move evan to the bench.

[pepe1991]

Can Vogel find time for Mario?
I expect 30 years old Green on one year deal to go into full stat padding mode from day one. That's his last chance to play himself into multi year deal.
Most of NBA pages listed Magic at bottom 5 from East because there is just soo many questions about this team.
Let's not fool ourselfs, we traded Oladipo,at worst- second best player last year for guy that regressed at ever single aspect of a game last year compared to years before. In same time Evan played best at SF and now he is SG.

There was no proofs whatsoever that Gordon can play SF in last 2years, if anything, he proved that he is PF. Now he is SF. Why? Well... Nobody knows why. Because Gm couldn't find SF ? Maybe.
Where is Hezonja in that story? This team is one huge question mark with no easy answers before season starts.
How this team score?
Where will spacing come from in starting unit?
How will Evan ever get open shots when he is only one worth defending from range?
Can Ibaka go back into old self?
Will Biyambo and Green ask for starting gig kowing that they are payed like starters?
Is Payton actually worth of being starter, right now he is upthere with Mudiay and MCW as one of worst starting PGs in NBA.
Preseason can't start soon eough !