Fiz having tough time finding role for Mario
Mario Hezonja criticized his defense. He ripped his free-throw and 3-point shooting. He admitted his playmaking needs improvement.
The Knicks’ newcomer, however, insisted he hasn’t lost confidence.
“It will come,” he said following Tuesday’s practice. “Trust me.”
An intriguing offseason addition, the 6-foot-8 Croat is off to a slow start, averaging fewer minutes (19.6) than he did a year ago with the Magic (22.1). He’s shooting 40 percent from the field and scoring 9.4 points per game. Last season he averaged 9.6 points on 44 percent shooting Knicks coach David Fizdale is still trying to figure what role and position best suits the reserve forward.
“I think I’m falling into the same things that other coaches have tried to find: What is he?” Fizdale said. “What spot is best on the floor for him? Can he handle playing the four and the two from a position-less standpoint? Or does he just need to be slotted?”
Still, Fizdale has been encouraged by Hezonja’s work ethic and versatile skill set. Now it’s about turning it into actual production.
“I got to get where he can just focus in on a few areas,” the coach said. “I’m really working on his decision-making and try to build a role out for him he can hang his hat on.”
Hezonja isn’t worried about his minutes, but he would like to focus more on setting up others, which he felt he did better in the preseason.
“I got to definitely work more for my teammates,” Hezonja said.
The Knicks will catch a break to start their three-game road trip that includes games against the Thunder, Pelicans and Magic. All-Star guard Russell Westbrook (sprained left ankle) won’t play, missing his fifth straight game, according to the team. Without Westbrook this season, the Thunder are 3-3, and 5-2 with him. Dennis Schroder, acquired in an offseason trade with the Hawks, has started in Westbrook’s place.
Starting Wednesday, nine of the Knicks’ next 10 games will be against teams with .500-or-better records, and seven of them will be on the road.