The Orlando Magic’s preseason debut is here and it brings with it the public’s first time to see rookie Mario Hezonja. Is he ready? Are you?
It is finally here. The preseason debut for the Orlando Magic.
The Magic will take on the Hornets at Amway Center tonight. If you cannot get a ticket to the Orlando City game tonight and not too hung over from the free beer at Basement for the UCF game, the Magic game might be a great way to wrap up your night.
Despite it being preseason, there is still plenty of intrigue involved in this game. Training camp battles will be sorted out in the coming weeks.
The biggest intrigue for many Magic fans tonight is what will Mario Hezonja look like?
Hezonja is very much a man of mystery. Having previously played in Europe and having played just two Summer League games, there has not been a lot of opportunity to see what he can do.
The book on him is he is a good shooter with a bit of overconfidence. In a good way, so everyone says. He looked like he could hold his own in Summer League and in Eurobasket, although he had a few shaky moments for his national team.
Largely though, Hezonja’s talent has been hidden away behind closed doors in the Amway Center. Saturday represents the first time fans can see him play.
What are the reviews?
Granted it is teammates talking about him, so there is certainly a bit of confidence-boosting and talking up the rookie. But the comments have been pretty consistent that Hezonja is playing well and ready for his debut:
“It will be good to see him play in a real game,” coach Scott Skiles said. “Even though, typically especially early in exhibition season, teams aren’t playing their main guys a ton of minutes. But it’s still, it’s another step in the process, putting him out there, seeing where he is at, matching up against legitimate NBA players and kind of seeing where he is at. We’ll try to get him enough minutes to make that type of judgment Sunday and have a better understanding of where we think he is right now.”
So what should Magic fans expect?
This is a guy who can shoot the ball well and can attack some off the dribble. He has been a pro since he was 14 years old and so he does not seem particularly deterred by the bright lights of the game. Hezonja though has recognized playing in the NBA will be completely different than anything he has experienced before.
It seems Hezonja has integrated well into the group and is ready to start. What he can do will be critical for the Magic, as Victor Oladipo told Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post:
“He’s gonna be great for us. He’s gonna spread the floor, definitely, for us. He can definitely create for others as well. He has a great frame. Athletic, young, out running. So he fits perfect.”
Fans will see Hezonja for the first time Saturday and get a better sense of the player the team picked with the fifth overall selection this past summer. It is something everyone has eagerly awaited for.
