Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Mario Hezonja

The Orlando Magic got an Internet sensation in Mario Hezonja in the Draft last year. They developed him slowly and he showed flashes of what he could be.

The images of Mario Hezonja began pouring in quickly during international games before and after the Orlando Magic drafted him.

He would drain a 3-pointer, turn and stare down his opponent. Or dap up the opposing coach. Or he would make a steal and come flying in for a furious dunk. Or make a pretty pass. Or drain a too-deep 3-pointer.

The highlights for American fans was not many, but one thing seemed perfectly clear — this guy was different than the typical European prospect. This guy had bravado, style and swagger. He was a player who could light up Twitter and had the NBA culture world abuzz.

The player the Magic got with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 Draft was a little bit different. He was a little more humble than advertised, recognizing the gravity of coming to the NBA and understanding of the work that would have to come. This was a player who was confident, but understood how much learning he had to do to get where he wanted to go.

American culture was not foreign to him, but the American game was. He needed time to adjust to the speed and athleticism of the game and even the longer 3-point line. Not to mention more complicated defensive schemes.

The approach the Magic took was not to throw Hezonja into the fire, but bring him along slowly. Mistakes were met with meetings with coach Scott Skiles and some lessons on the bench and in practice.

It was a long slog and a learning experience for a player almost everyone assumed would just hit the ground running simply because he could.

Hezonja’s rookie year was a frustrating one. He never quite found his footing, showing only flashes of what he might be. Some of it was rookie inexperience. Some of it was lack of playing time. Some of it was . . . maybe the Magic’s high expectations and the pressure to deliver on those.

The Magic were always going to bring Hezonja along slowly. This slowly in a draft class that seemed history was a question that left many frustrated.

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