Through 11 games, Mario Hezonja has shown flashes of what he could be. But he is still gaining trust and learning the NBA game. A lot of development remains
Mario Hezonja knew entering the year everything was going to be different for him.
The repeated line was how different Summer League would be from his play in the Spanish ACB league. And then how much different the preseason would be from Summer League. And then the regular season over the preseason.
At each stage, Hezonja made small adjustments. It took him some time — he scored 26 points in two games and shot a 45.8 percent effective field goal percentage at Summer League and then posted 10.0 points per game and a 52.3 percent effective field goal percentage in preseason — for Hezonja to get to speed.
In some moments he looked ready for the stage and ready to step up. In others he looked a bit lost and struggling to keep up.
A lot of this though is normal for a rookie.
“He’s been up and down,” Skiles said Thursday before the Magic played the Jazz. “He came in the Toronto game for instance and did a great job on DeRozan in the first half. Then the second half, inexplicably, he tried to steal the ball from him and gave up driving lanes. He checked in the game last night [against the Lakers] and immediately got on the wrong side of an offensive player.
“We’re trying to get his habits straight and make sure when he checks in the game that he knows [what he is supposed to do]. We’re trying to get him better on that end.”
Daily Knicks
Hezonja’s ups and downs have been pretty apparent. He is averaging just 5.7 points per game and shooting a 47.2 percent effective field goal percentage, making just 38.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Hezonja’s on/off impact is a bit muted too. The Magic have a 96.3 offensive rating with Hezonja on the floor (below their 98.3 season average) and a 95.1 defensive rating (better than their 99.2 average). Of course, 100 of Hezonja’s 163 minutes this year have been played with Aaron Gordon and 67 of Hezonja’s 163 minutes with Dewayne Dedmon, Orlando’s two most impactful defensive players.
Things have been far from perfect with Hezonja, and Scott Skiles has made it clear he will play who gives him the best chance at winning. That so far has not quite been Hezonja.
He has had to adjust to a new league, something he said he is familiar with from playing in Europe and climbing the ladder for his entire life. He said he is constantly looking to improve his own game more than anything else.
Mistakes have been painful, but part of the process of learning.
“[Watching video with coaches] is the best way to see your mistakes,” Hezonja said. “Even though I feel them. I get pretty mad when I make a mistake. It’s pretty useful stuff.
“What coach says, it almost works every time unless they do something different, and we’re not ready for it. We have to listen very carefully to what the coaches — not only Scott, but everybody — what they are telling us every practice to prepare us for the games and execute it on the court.”
Hezonja is still in the process of finding that comfort zone. As noted in several places, Hezonja is still getting used to the physicality of this league along with its speed. It is obvious there is some discomfort still. Certainly discomfort of execution.
That has not stopped some good moments.
He has two games in double figures, but consistency has eluded him. But it is slowly coming to him. Hezonja has scored seven, six and eight points in his last three games. He has shot 6 of 14 the last three games and 4 of his 10 3-pointers.
That is some sign things are starting turn upward for Hezonja. At least where he makes his name on the offensive end.
Skiles said he has largely tried to stay out of the way offensively.
More from Orlando Magic Daily
- 2023 Orlando Magic Playoff Lessons: Philadelphia 76ers can’t seem to avoid conflict
- 5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Shaquille O’Neal era
- Orlando Magic FIBA World Cup: Franz Wagner can be a star if he takes it
- Orlando Magic are going to find out who they are in 2024
- 2024 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Moe Wagner is the spark off of the bench
“Offensively, we’re kind of letting him play more and less,” Skiles said. “We know he is talented. We don’t want to second guess his offensive decisions. We would like to keep his priority on the defensive end, get him better there and his offensive game will develop naturally.”
Defense will be a struggle for the young Hezonja throughout the season. Even the supremely talented and gifted Gordon is having his team defensive struggles this year. Trust is a game-by-game thing with Skiles it seems.
Hezonja is still building up that trust. Like most of the players on the team, he is building up consistency. And he is still finding his way in the NBA.
That part is expected. The progression is still a bit slow for Hezonja.
There is still a lot of good from Hezonja. It is, like for most rookies, about finding a consistency and a fit within the team. Hezonja is still in that stage, finding his way. It is too early to make too many conclusions about him.
Only that there will be as much good as there is bad for the moment.