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Portland Trail Blazers: Mario Hezonja has cult hero energy

By Ryan Gaskin

PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 30: Mario Hezonja #44 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during Media Day September 30, 2019 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 30: Mario Hezonja #44 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during Media Day September 30, 2019 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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‘Super’ Mario Hezonja has shown up with an incredible energy about him. The fans have already warmed to him; is he the Portland Trail Blazers’ new cult hero?

The Portland Trail Blazers dipped their hand into free agency this summer, and one of the seven new faces was Croatian international star Mario Hezonja. After being picked fifth in draft by the Orlando Magic back in 2015, Hezonja has undergone a slightly underwhelming few years in the NBA.  The forward has not yet averaged double digits in points, and despite showing flashes of a being a talented playmaker, his assist average peaked at just 1.5 per game.

To provide these numbers without context would be unfair considering Hezonja has played on two horrible teams in his four seasons (three seasons with the Magic and then a year with the lottery chasing New York Knicks). This year, he’ll be surrounded by elite shooting options; with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum on the wings, I’d be highly surprised if Hezonja’s numbers don’t jump up a little. It’s looking like Terry Stotts wants him to lead the second unit off of the bench, and I think this sort of role will see Blazers fans take an immediate liking to him.

It’s not even his on-court entertainment that had me spot the beginnings of a potential cult hero, it was Hezonja’s off-court presence. Ever since he signed, the Croat has been engaging with fans on Twitter. He has thoroughly enjoyed hyping up Portland’s fan base and energy, and has seemed to strike up an immediate relationship with fan favorite Jusuf Nurkic, who can do no wrong in the eyes of Blazer fans.

Hezonja even sent out a tweet about the traffic in Portland, which is a running joke in the city, and showed he is embracing the lifestyle.

https://twitter.com/mariohezonja/status/1182445799189274624

If Blazers fans like him now, once regular season starts, his popularity will shoot through the roof. Something every fan loves is one of their underdogs taking on a star; Portland will learn soon that Mario Hezonja doesn’t care how many All-Star votes his opponent has. Hezonja epitomized this theory perfectly last season, when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were in town.

https://twitter.com/DimeUPROXX/status/1068994528630226944

Who cares if it wasn’t ‘really’ a poster? The dunk was superb on its own, but to follow it by stepping over the Greek Freak? Hezonja doesn’t care who he’s facing, he’s got the confidence and athleticism to get the crowd going; I guarantee I will buy a Hezonja jersey if he steps over Giannis at the Moda Center.

Hezonja has a personality, he’s exciting and athletic, and will always fight for Rip City when needed. He’ll be a part of that bench unit, and I’d like to see him averaging at least 4 assists; Hezonja’s primary goal will be to create shots for his teammates, and cut to the rim when he can.

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Besides being a great basketball addition for the Portland Trail Blazers, Hezonja has the characteristics to be so much more than that. Mario Hezonja the cult hero is not that far away, and I can’t wait to see the relationship between him and Portland grow.