New York Knicks: Mario Hezonja criticized by former team executive
The New York Knicks acquisition of Mario Hezonja was critiqued by a former member of the front office, Clarence Gaines Jr., who worked under Phil Jackson’s regime.
Maybe the biggest name of the two, at the time, the New York Knicks signed Mario Hezonja to a one-year, $6.5 million contract in free agency. The Orlando Magic chose not to pick up the fourth year of his rookie-scale contract before 2017-18, which led to a spot on the open market.
Hezonja struggled in his first two NBA seasons, which led to the declined team option. He produced career-high 44.2 shooting percentage and 9.6 points per game in Year Three before leaving in last summer.
Through three games, the Croatian forward has not found his footing in the rotation, with a decline from 19 to 13 to 10 minutes. That, and another critique of his game drew the ire of former Knicks executive Clarence Gaines Jr., who worked under Phil Jackson (h/t Marc Berman of the New York Post).
If you're a @nyknicks fan & wondering why @mariohezonja couldn't EARN court time vs @celtics with @KevKnox going down it's because he's a huge liability as an individual defender. He couldn't match the toughness or athleticism of the C's wings. Love how @wholeteamDot competed.
— Clarence Gaines (@ClarenceGaines2) October 21, 2018
As Berman noted, the Knicks let Gaines walk when his contract expired in July. He was part of the front office that passed on Hezonja in 2015 for Kristaps Porzingis. New York’s general manager, Scott Perry, was part of the group that selected the former at No. 5 overall, while the latter man went one spot before.
It wasn’t Gaines’ first critique of the Knicks, either, with head coach David Fizdale in the crosshairs for a late-game decision against the Brooklyn Nets. He added “respect” for this past spring’s hire, however.
Fair ?-I didn't watch the game but saw the last play. My first reaction was why wasn't @FrankLikina on @CarisLeVert. @T_HardJR is my 3rd option to guard him based on the players in the game. But I also respect Fizdale showing confidence in Tim. Players grow when U believe in them https://t.co/HWevmX7jUf
— Clarence Gaines (@ClarenceGaines2) October 20, 2018
With Hezonja, it’s only three games into his Knicks campaign, so even with an accompanying past, there’s still time to cast doubt aside and become a meaningful member of the 2018-19 squad.
The 23-year-old has taken a bench spot for New York, though it’s not the starting role envisioned from training camp, with Lance Thomas instead in the lineup for the preseason and the opening games. It can change, but the team’s longest-tenured player holds value in Fizdale’s eyes.
There’s also Kevin Knox’s injury, which can open an opportunity for Hezonja to gain more playing time, even with Thomas in a starter’s role.
Next. Who replaces Kevin Knox after ankle injury?. dark
Criticism will ride with any NBA player, but there’s always an opportunity to overcome it. Will Hezonja climb into a larger role as the season moves forward?