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New York Knicks: Mario Hezonja, not LeBron James, rules the world

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 17: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Mario Hezonja #8 of the New York Knicks during the second half of the game at Madison Square Garden on March 17, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 17: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Mario Hezonja #8 of the New York Knicks during the second half of the game at Madison Square Garden on March 17, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Mario Hezonja’s season of rising over superstars has this New York Knicks forward on cloud nine.

Super Mario vs. the World has taken over the New York Knicks on sporadic occasions this season. With few team highlights, Mario Hezonja‘s memorable moments have captivated the blue and orange unexpectedly.

It started with dunking on Giannis Antetokounmpo in a Dec. 1 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, which spurred the “I’m going to punch him in the nuts” comment from the Greek Freak, who may or may not have been serious.

Enter Sunday afternoon’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. They have LeBron James and had an 11-point lead in the final four minutes of the game. Hezonja, listed at 6-foot-8, matched with James on the final possession, with the Lakers down one point. They squared up, the future hall of famer drove to the hoop and the Knicks’ Croatian forward perfectly timed a block that went all ball.

Then came the hysteria.

As unpredictable of an event as anything in the NBA; Hezonja, blocking one of the game’s greatest players ever. Who had the betting odds on that?

It was the highlight, and the Antetokoumpo stepover, of Hezonja’s season, with little else to note of his down year with the Knicks. So, for one moment, it was a celebration of this enigma’s wild, wacky and crazy ride.

Beyond that, Hezonja has a 39.9 percent mark from the field on 7.4 shots for 7.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. He owns a handful of absence’s via coach’s decision and never found consistent playing time, besides a brief starting run in December.

The 24-year-old is also on an expiring contract, and he recently addressed not caring about free agency, with the Knicks having multiple players to balance that near the open market. So impending free-agent status aside, this was his moment of zen.

Next. 25 greatest players in NYK history. dark

Few games remain, otherwise, and it is difficult to see Hezonja matching the $6.5 million salary he makes in 2018-19. Who knows, maybe this is his last ride in the NBA. If not, teams can take a swing at a player with quality size and streaky outside shooting and continue this storybook adventure.

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