What worries me about Hezonja...

[CelticsFan166]

First off, don't get me wrong. I love Mario Hezonja and think his potential is as high as anybody in the draft. But the one thing that worries me is his inability to score without shooting threes or scoring in transition. All the great modern NBA scorers (Pierce, Kobe, LBJ) have much more rounded offensive games than just hitting threes and scoring on the break. In his highlights it seems very infrequent that they run an iso for him and he takes it to the rim instead of pulling up for a 3. For a "go-to" scorer this worries me as it seems virtually impossible in today's game to put up 20+ consistently without the ability to take your man off the dribble (see AB).

Now, I'm not saying Hezonja isn't going to be a very good NBA player. If he could only become more creative in isolation plays then we're talking about a potential top 3 player from this draft class and I'd be thrilled if we picked him up. But when I look at his box scores and I see his 15 points come on 5 threes, it kind of scares me that not a single point was scored on a 2 pointer. One would think it would be easy for another team to just get in his jersey on D and make him a complete non-factor.

However, I don't watch any of the Euro leagues as much as I should so if anyone is an expert on Hezonja please feel free to correct me. This is just what I think and I'm far from an expert anyways 

[danglertx]

I'm thinking his ceiling is Ray Allen late in his career where there were pretty much threes and maybe some backdoor plays, drives against poor defenders like that Euro Laker guy Vuchevic or something like that, and transition. 

But, the way the NBA is valuing the three these days, maybe that is good enough.

[Monkhouse]

First off, don't get me wrong. I love Mario Hezonja and think his potential is as high as anybody in the draft. But the one thing that worries me is his inability to score without shooting threes or scoring in transition. All the great modern NBA scorers (Pierce, Kobe, LBJ) have much more rounded offensive games than just hitting threes and scoring on the break. In his highlights it seems very infrequent that they run an iso for him and he takes it to the rim instead of pulling up for a 3. For a "go-to" scorer this worries me as it seems virtually impossible in today's game to put up 20+ consistently without the ability to take your man off the dribble (see AB).

Now, I'm not saying Hezonja isn't going to be a very good NBA player. If he could only become more creative in isolation plays then we're talking about a potential top 3 player from this draft class and I'd be thrilled if we picked him up. But when I look at his box scores and I see his 15 points come on 5 threes, it kind of scares me that not a single point was scored on a 2 pointer. One would think it would be easy for another team to just get in his jersey on D and make him a complete non-factor.

However, I don't watch any of the Euro leagues as much as I should so if anyone is an expert on Hezonja please feel free to correct me. This is just what I think and I'm far from an expert anyways 

Well from my experience watching him, and a few of his highlights, it seems like he has a honey sweet stroke. He has adapted to being able to come off more pin off screens, and is more knowledgable in picking which shots to take threes from, (his comfort zone.) While I do agree with partial parts of your assesment, Hezonja is reportedly working on his dribble hands off, and ability to create offense by better ball handling and for teammates.

We'll see in due time if he does improve enough to be a go to scorer, but if there is anyone in this draft class that could be a go to scorer, its Russell, Towns, Okafor, Hezonja, and then a select few after that.

[relja]

I frequently watch the Euroleague and it must be pointed out that the talent pool on that Barcelona is insane, and even a talented youngster like him is buried on the bench. The frequent and erratic shooting is a byproduct of the limited time he is given to spend on the court. If he had more time to play, he would be able to experiment a lot more.

Summer league will either expose or establish him.

[CelticsFan166]

First off, don't get me wrong. I love Mario Hezonja and think his potential is as high as anybody in the draft. But the one thing that worries me is his inability to score without shooting threes or scoring in transition. All the great modern NBA scorers (Pierce, Kobe, LBJ) have much more rounded offensive games than just hitting threes and scoring on the break. In his highlights it seems very infrequent that they run an iso for him and he takes it to the rim instead of pulling up for a 3. For a "go-to" scorer this worries me as it seems virtually impossible in today's game to put up 20+ consistently without the ability to take your man off the dribble (see AB).

Now, I'm not saying Hezonja isn't going to be a very good NBA player. If he could only become more creative in isolation plays then we're talking about a potential top 3 player from this draft class and I'd be thrilled if we picked him up. But when I look at his box scores and I see his 15 points come on 5 threes, it kind of scares me that not a single point was scored on a 2 pointer. One would think it would be easy for another team to just get in his jersey on D and make him a complete non-factor.

However, I don't watch any of the Euro leagues as much as I should so if anyone is an expert on Hezonja please feel free to correct me. This is just what I think and I'm far from an expert anyways 

Well from my experience watching him, and a few of his highlights, it seems like he has a honey sweet stroke. He has adapted to being able to come off more pin off screens, and is more knowledgable in picking which shots to take threes from, (his comfort zone.) While I do agree with partial parts of your assesment, Hezonja is reportedly working on his dribble hands off, and ability to create offense by better ball handling and for teammates.

We'll see in due time if he does improve enough to be a go to scorer, but if there is anyone in this draft class that could be a go to scorer, its Russell, Towns, Okafor, Hezonja, and then a select few after that.

Yeah his stroke is a thing of beauty. As is, without a midrange or attack game, he's still got potential to score 9 or 10 a night his rookie year just by hitting the 3. I agree 100 percent that as far as pure shooting goes he's right up there with Booker.

[Monkhouse]

I frequently watch the Euroleague and it must be pointed out that the talent pool on that Barcelona is insane, and even a talented youngster like him is buried on the bench. The frequent and erratic shooting is a byproduct of the limited time he is given to spend on the court. If he had more time to play, he would be able to experiment a lot more.

Summer league will either expose or establish him.

That is also true. I forgot to take that into account. I guess a red flag is when I proposed my initial thread about Hezonja, there was an article where it stated, Mario Hezonja: the cockiest NBA prospect in the draft.

I dislike Barcelona soccer team, but I can't help but notice whenever I make searches in Google, sometimes articles will pop up asking about how arrogant Mario is around his teammates. I don't know if its true or just reporters speculations. Hezonja at times has been criticized for being a jerk, or just standoffish. To me? I like that.

I think Smart is kind of a show boat too, but he transfers that as fuel to his ongoing fire/motor. I just hope if the reporters are accurate, Hezonja can do the same.

There is such a thing as being too arrogant. I remember Pierce used to be very arrogant when he first came lol, but we all let that go as fans, because we believe a player should have the utmost confidence.

Getting back to the response/reply up ahead, Barcelona is stacked waist deep. Their bench is also very strong, and they rely on plenty of ball movement, so I'm not surprised Hezonja doesn't get enough minutes. Another criticism of Hezonja is his lack of ability to share the ball, so we'll see.

I can't wait to see him in summer league. I hope we go after him though. I think while there are slight chances of him ending up as a bust, the rewards outweigh the risk.

[CelticsFan166]

Yeah I also hope we can snatch him up especially if he falls to 9 or lower. Too much potential to pass up at that point. Also, about the alleged arrogance I remember reading about some incident where some teammate wore the same pair of shoes as Hezonja and he got upset that his teammate had the "nerve" to wear the same pair as him. I very strongly doubt this is true given that most "stories" at this point are likely smokescreens from other GMs but if it is true, then that's a major red flag. Sounds like something a true Laker would say.

[colincb]

Unlikely to get past DEN at 7 which has strong international scouting and Detroit at 8 where his ex-agent Arn Tellem is now part of the Pistons.

[max215]

I'm really impressed by him. While I don't think he'll wind up being the best player out of this draft, I wouldn't be surprised if he's the 2nd or 3rd best. I'm starting to think that he should be the first wing taken (or at least the 2nd after Justise). I think he really has the opportunity to be a truly prolific scorer in the NBA. I'd say the biggest questions for him are whether his attitude will be a positive or a negative and if he'll have the ability to translate his physical gifts on the defensive end. He's just a very exciting prospect, one I'm looking forward to watching for years to come.

[Denis998]

I have him pegged as the bust of the draft. Don't see what people see in him, for every one of his strengths I see 2 weaknesses.

[Iggzilla]

My only concern with Hezonja is his attitude. He seems to have that ball-hog mentality that can p--- off teammates (which happened often in the Euroleague) and throw the team off its offensive rhythm. That aside, he's got the size and athleticism to compete in the NBA already, and he's got a sweet shooting stroke. He just needs the right coach to rein him in, which I think we have in Stevens.

[hwangjini_1]

I have him pegged as the bust of the draft. Don't see what people see in him, for every one of his strengths I see 2 weaknesses.

1. shooting
2. athleticism
3. size for position
4. 3 point shooting
5. defense potential
6. scores efficiently

you owe me a dozen weaknesses. 

[SHAQATTACK]

I have him pegged as the bust of the draft. Don't see what people see in him, for every one of his strengths I see 2 weaknesses.

I think he'll be a bust too.

[clover]

I frequently watch the Euroleague and it must be pointed out that the talent pool on that Barcelona is insane, and even a talented youngster like him is buried on the bench. The frequent and erratic shooting is a byproduct of the limited time he is given to spend on the court. If he had more time to play, he would be able to experiment a lot more.

Summer league will either expose or establish him.

That is also true. I forgot to take that into account. I guess a red flag is when I proposed my initial thread about Hezonja, there was an article where it stated, Mario Hezonja: the cockiest NBA prospect in the draft.

I dislike Barcelona soccer team, but I can't help but notice whenever I make searches in Google, sometimes articles will pop up asking about how arrogant Mario is around his teammates. I don't know if its true or just reporters speculations. Hezonja at times has been criticized for being a jerk, or just standoffish. To me? I like that.

I think Smart is kind of a show boat too, but he transfers that as fuel to his ongoing fire/motor. I just hope if the reporters are accurate, Hezonja can do the same.

There is such a thing as being too arrogant. I remember Pierce used to be very arrogant when he first came lol, but we all let that go as fans, because we believe a player should have the utmost confidence.

Getting back to the response/reply up ahead, Barcelona is stacked waist deep. Their bench is also very strong, and they rely on plenty of ball movement, so I'm not surprised Hezonja doesn't get enough minutes. Another criticism of Hezonja is his lack of ability to share the ball, so we'll see.

I can't wait to see him in summer league. I hope we go after him though. I think while there are slight chances of him ending up as a bust, the rewards outweigh the risk.

Huh--I don't remember that about Pierce. I just remember him being the younger brother to brash Toine, who kept taking too many shots even though Pierce was a better shooter. Seemed like Pierce didn't get really cocky until he was the lead dog on a mediocre team. Somehow making it to the ECF one year got him pumped up beyond reason.

[Celtics4ever]

If he can't get to rim over there, then he sure as heck won't here.