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Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Mario Hezonja

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward C.J. Fair (12) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic forward Mario Hezonja (23) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 97-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward C.J. Fair (12) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic forward Mario Hezonja (23) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 97-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic, Mike Dunleavy, Chicago Bulls
Mar 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) dunks the ball over Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good and The Bad

Season G GS MP FG% 3P% eFG% FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS
2015-16 79 9 17.9 .433 .349 .513 .907 0.4 1.9 2.2 1.4 0.5 0.2 1.2 6.1
Career 79 9 17.9 .433 .349 .513 .907 0.4 1.9 2.2 1.4 0.5 0.2 1.2 6.1

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/27/2016.

Mario Hezonja had a heaping of expectations thrown on him. Everyone wanted the No. 5 overall pick to be everything the YouTube videos and stories promised. The reality was a player who was 20 years old and very inconsistent.

Hezonja showed plenty of flashes. So while he did not keep pace with many of the players in his rookie class, he should remain a key player for the Magic moving forward.

He featured a pretty smooth shooting stroke throughout the year and plenty of confidence when he got the time and freedom to operate. The biggest thing for him was getting that freedom. No doubt, it was the biggest fight for Hezonja.

Throughout the year, Hezonja’s playing time was inconsistent at best. More than just the normal pushing and pulling for a rookie. It felt like at times Hezonja’s trademark confidence was wavering with the fear of getting pulled for making a mistake. This hurt his performance on the floor most of all.

When Hezonja was playing well though and with confidence he displayed everything the Magic wanted from him.

He would step into 3-pointers and fire away and make them with ease. He would come off a pin down with pace and just take the ball and attack. Off the dribble he would fire passes through extremely tight windows.

More than anything, Hezonja’s passing and vision was the most impressive and surprising aspect of his play. The Magic felt comfortable playing Hezonja at point guard for a spell in January when Elfrid Payton was out. And he was relatively effective there.

The growing and continuing problem with Hezonja were the typical rookie problems. But they were fundamental enough to keep him on the bench and keep him from getting more minutes.

His main struggles came on the defensive end where he struggled with defensive positioning and help side defense. Veterans attacked him and exposed that weakness time and time again. The Magic had to hold him back some because of this.

Like most rookies, Hezonja has to tighten up his dribble and add some strength. This will help him with all things. But his rookie year was a year of learning for the rookie.

Next: Best Game of 2016