Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Trends or Mirages: Breaking down this year’s Orlando Magic

By Brett David Roberts

Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and guard Victor Oladipo (5) high five after he made a basket in the act of getting fouled against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and guard Victor Oladipo (5) high five after he made a basket in the act of getting fouled against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 9
Next
Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic, Wayne Ellington, Brooklyn Nets
Dec 14, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington (21) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Orlando Magic won 105-82. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Trend: Mario Hezonja’s struggle to find minutes this year

Rookies often have a tough road to getting minutes, but it is all more so the case given Mario Hezonja’s position. As a swingman he is slotted at Orlando’s most talented positions playing behind Evan Fournier, Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris. That trio all ranks just behind Vucevic in scoring, and Hezonja is going to have trouble getting time behind them all season long.

Accenting this is the fact Hezonja is still adapting to the NBA game and life, combined with the fact he is just 19 years old.

There should be no reason for Hezonja to become discouraged, and though he did not get on the court against Portland, he had a strong game against the Charlotte Hornets and made a few impressive plays Saturday night against Atlanta.

Skiles is undoubtedly trying to find the best opportunities to make sure the No. 5 overall pick sees court time, but real change may not come until after the trade deadline or the offseason when Orlando has restructured its roster some to open time up for the talented Croatian.

Hezonja has looked confused at times, even lost, but it is all fairly typical of a rookie trying to adjust on a rather talented Magic team.

Hezonja will have his games illustrating he was worthy of the high lottery pick he cost, but do not expect the real revelations of his game to come until after either Evan Fournier or Victor Oladipo is out of the way. With both sure to command more money, it is likely the Magic will have to choose between that duo, with Hezonja usurping the role of whomever departs.

Next: Please don't shoot that, please don't shoot that...