Pre-Season Questions: How have the Orlando Magic responded?

A Breakout Star?

One final question coming in from preseason, pertained to the Magic’s young talent and, more specifically, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Paytonc and Mario Hezonja. From this trio, has there been a breakout star?

The answer at this stage is there has not been a breakout star.

Of the three players under the spotlight, Aaron Gordon undoubtedly has the greatest potential. He has already shown himself to be an impressive, if impulsive, defender both on the perimeter and on the inside. He is often responsible for guarding the opponent’s best player.

But he is still raw in regards to many facets of his game, particularly on the offensive end of the floor, where his decision-making will have to substantially improve, as will his shooting from deep.

Elfrid Payton, despite now coming off of the bench, has had a solid season, if unspectacular. He does not appear to get quite so lost on screens on defense, while his finishing at the rim has improved — now shooting 61.3 percent from within three feet of the basket, an improvement from 58.3 percent last season.

But of the three players, the greatest disappointment thus far has to be Mario Hezonja.

Hezonja has struggled on both ends of the floor, to the point where he completely dropped out of Frank Vogel’s regular rotation — and not without good reason.

A shooter with shooting splits of just .309/.172/.667 on the season, his problems are compounded by his struggles on defense, with Hezonja often appearing lost. And when he is not so, he oftentimes finds himself beaten by his man.

It is far too early to give up on Hezonja, but substantial improvement is expected — and relatively soon, too.