Mario Hezonja’s confidence forges his NBA path
By Carson Ingle
Mario Hezonja has confidence. That has been his defining trait and his big detraction. But that confidence got him to the NBA and could be his best asset.
Hearing the story of his career to this point and listening to new Magic swingman Mario Hezonja speak, one begins to understand that his journey has always been about acclimating to new surroundings.
He was brought into pro basketball in Croatia before he was even a teen. The need to assimilate quickly did not slow down when he continued playing men much older than him in 2012 with Barcelona.
All along, Hezonja was building a skillset and a resume that would ultimately make him a high lottery pick in the NBA Draft as a 20 year old. That combined whirlwind of skill and adaptability brought him to the podium being introduced as the latest Orlando Magic player on Thursday.
Making just his second trip into the United States a few days ago, it was clear that the Croatian was embarking on a new American dream.
“About the United States, I have all the best compliments,” said Hezonja about his new home. “I think it’s heaven on Earth. I really, really like it.”
Throughout the presser, there were hallmarks of the personality that has allowed Hezonja to thrive in a grown man’s world for quite some time.
After a question from a Telemundo Orlando reporter, everyone learned his Spanish was just as fluent as his English. There were great moments of humor Hezonja was unafraid to pounce on even being plopped down in the strange new world of the NBA.
One could see with every passing moment how remarkably confident he was, and it was hard to envision a time when he lacked such ease of being.
“Some is from my parents,” says Hezonja on his swagger. “My father was a professional water polo player so he was teaching me a lot in general about sports. The other part is me. I don’t think you can be a professional athlete if you don’t have the confidence in your teammates and yourself.”
As Hezonja was winning over the media on his opening day in Orlando, it was possible to draw parallels to how he won over Magic brass during an hour and a half long meeting in Barcelona this June. General manager Rob Hennigan and his team clearly did not shy away from his strong personality that permeates what he does on and off the court.
“He brings a spirit and a competitiveness to the floor, separate from his skill, that I think really attracted us,” Hennigan said. “We sort of gravitated to that intensity and that energy and that confidence that he seems to play with possession after possession.”
There are some who may have been turned off by what has been described as cockiness. Almost every draft evaluation one read on Hezonja talked about how brash he is.
Hezonja is known for his trash talk on the court and bold statements off it. A simple explanation for his “bull in a china shop” personality is that it was created out of a need for survival.
“He brings a spirit and a competitiveness to the floor, separate from his skill, that I think really attracted us.” –Rob Hennigan
How else is someone expected to survive and be respected playing against and with guys who at times may have been decades older?
Squint even a little when reading accounts of Hezonja’s personality and it might remind you of the way another certain No. 23 used to carry himself with his peers.
“I think it is a little overblown,” said Hennigan on Hezonja’s disposition. “I think that confidence is important. Self-belief is important. We would prefer to have players who believe in themselves to a high level. As we’ve watched Mario and as we’ve got to know him, I think his confidence is a real strength.”
Hennigan always said Hezonja has the right kind of confidence and belief in himself. There is no way to get to the NBA without that. It may have come to define him, but there is no doubt it got him to where he is at now.
The Magic just hope to cash in.