By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mario Hezonja is making plenty of noise, especially with demanding court awareness from his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates.
During a media session ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena, the 31-year-old Croatian forward opened up about his return to the NBA after winning a EuroLeague title in 2023. Now playing under head coach Kenny Atkinson, he is averaging 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds, helping his squad to an early 1–1 record.
Reviewing the previous loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday, Hezonja focused heavily on taking care of the ball. In the NBA, leads evaporate quickly. This reality contrasts with his previous environment.
“In Europe you might struggle to come back from a large lead, but here the game is so fast,” explained the Dubrovnik native. “You got to treat it as a 10-point lead or not lead at all, mentally.”
Taking accountability
Hezonja praised Atkinson and the coaching staff for their approach to teaching the players. However, he refuses to use roster turnover as an excuse for poor execution. When opponents switch up their defensive looks, he expects the players to solve the puzzle themselves.
“It’s five of us on a court, and you need to read those situations,” he said. “Absolutely nobody cares that we have new people. It’s just everybody has to start to click as soon as possible because that’s going to give us extra wins.”
That mindset showed when Hezonja waved off a play call to run the offense himself. He did it to protect Donovan Mitchell. The two veterans have a long history. His teammate backed him instantly.
“You’re not supposed to bring up the ball against the pressure because we need you in the last quarter,” he shared his message to 30-year-old Mitchell. “We need you in the Playoffs, we need you in game 80, game 60.”
The experienced forward wants to absorb that contact instead. By handling the ball, screening, and playing defense, he intends to preserve Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen for April. “As much pressure that I can take off of them is just going to be so beneficial,” he stressed.
No rookie nerves
The transition back to North America has been surprisingly simple. Hezonja credited everyone in the organization for embracing him as both a player and a person.
He still enjoys the classic theatrics in the NBA, pointing out the announcer shouting ‘Cavaliers’ through bursts of real fire during pregame introductions. But once the ball is tipped, the spectacle fades. When asked if he had a sentimental moment realizing he was finally back in the league, Hezonja shook his head. He does not feel like a rookie anymore.
“Not at all,” he confessed. “It was so weird. As a rookie, everything is new. You try to score and do all these things. But now? Nothing. Just a basketball game. Absolutely no feelings whatsoever.”
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