After an unbecoming start to the season for a player of his quality, Mario Hezonja has recovered his best levelthat of who should be one of the leaders of Real Madrid, that of one of the most unbalancing pieces in Europe, that of the best forward on the continent. He has been the white team's top scorer in the last four games, all of them ending with victories within a streak of six consecutive games between the Euroleague and the Endesa League..
The 2.02 meter, 30-year-old Croatian player hit rock bottom in a match against Zalgiris. He had started the course misplaced, disconnected, erring on the side of individualism on many occasions. Against the Lithuanian team he did two points and -5 rating, his worst record since he arrived at Madrid. From there, as if it were a video game, Super Mario god a huge leap.
Mario Hezonja, during the match against Anadolu Efes.
In the next four games, against Covirán Granada, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Anadolu Efes and La Laguna Tenerife, he has averaged 19.5 points and a PIR of 19.7. From the triple, which had been one of his weak points, 10/21 in those appointments, a notable 47.6%, when he had been at a career low.
At the level of play and cohesion, we are more or less where I thought. In the classification we still lack a victory. We still have a lot of room for improvement, especially in concentration and attention
Sergio Scariolo, coach of Real Madrid
This good streak for Hezonja has come after a few darts that Sergio Scariolo has thrown at him. Without actually quoting him and referring to another Madrid player, the coach said: “If you are a professional, if you respect the shirt, if you respect your team and your teammates, you never give up”. Later, asked about the Croatian, he assured: “We know that Mario is a player with great potential and with certain irregularity in performance. I trust him a lot. I have the most fun relationship with Mario, but sometimes I have to tell him 'no' and leave him sitting when it's time, always with the idea that he is an important player.”.
Madrid's best moment this season
Hezonja has once again demonstrated the weight he can have on the team, which, being at his best and focused, he can put in another dimension. Its flood has coincided with Madrid's best moment so far this season.
Sergio Scariolo gives instructions in a Euroleague match.EFE.
“At the level of play and cohesion, we are more or less where I thought. In the classification we still lack a victory. Such a new team, with a new coach as well, is not easy at the chemistry level. But We still have a lot of room for improvement, especially in concentration and attention,” analyzes Scariolo..
Baskonia, to impose its style
Baskonia, this Thursday (9:00 p.m.)is the next obstacle in Madrid's attempt to continue improving. “It is a European power with a huge squad and a legend as a coach,” says Paolo Galbiatithan trying to “play with our style. Run, share the ball and be effective in defense as much as we can.”
While the whites arrive with all their troops and Scariolo will have to make three discards, The Baskonistas have the important absence of their captain, Tadas Sedekerskiswho will be out for two months as he has to undergo arthroscopy on his right ankle. Given his injury, the team has signed forward Eugene Omoruyi with a temporary contract. He will join the team in Madrid, but will not play. Gytis Radzevicius Yes, he will do so in what will be his debut in the Euroleague with the Vitorians.
