By John DentonOct. 28, 2015
ORLANDO – Never one to be overly sentimental or to get distracted by things outside of the action on the court, Scott Skiles said prior to Wednesday’s season-opener that he’s given little thought to his basketball life coming full circle as a player and coach with the Orlando Magic.
Skiles was a crafty point guard on the Magic’s first-ever team in 1989 and he evolved into being a fan favorite and a NBA record-holder during his four seasons in Orlando. He was hired by the Magic in late May to be their head coach, but this was hardly some feel-good reunion for a person many fans still consider their favorite player to ever don a Magic uniform. Skiles was hired because of his tried-and-true defensive acumen because the franchise feels that he is just the man to instill mental and physical toughness in Orlando’s youthful roster.
Skiles said because his focus has been so firmly affixed on how he can help the team get best prepared for the season ahead he had given little thought to the significance of Wednesday being his first regular-season game as the Magic’s head coach.
“I really don’t (think about it) and I hope that doesn’t come off as me sounding like I’m not happy to be here,” said Skiles, who still holds the NBA record for assists in a game (30) which he set on Dec. 30, 1990 when he played for the Magic. “There are certain moments like (Monday) when we had a luncheon and before I spoke (Magic co-founder) Pat (Williams) came over and we exchanged a few words. When I see Pat or something like that, it kind of sets in where I am.
“But for the most part, there are only 30 of these (NBA coaching) jobs and you are always glad to have one,” Skiles said. “This is a great place to work, but I don’t get too sentimental about it.”
ROOKIE RIDE: Because he’s been a professional since his early teenage years first in his native Croatia and later in Spain before getting to Orlando, rookie guard/forward Mario Hezonja has made a mostly smooth transition to the NBA.
But there’s one area where Hezonja has struggled to fit into the typical NBA culture: Unlike most rookies who blow a major chunk of their first check on a tricked-out car, Hezonja is still without a vehicle and has been forced to bum rides to and from practice from teammates. That has led to much derision from his teammates.
“He’s probably the only player whose been in the NBA for a month or two now and doesn’t have a car yet,” said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, a native of Montenegro who has served as something of a mentor to Hezonja thus far. “(Magic point guard) Elfrid (Payton) is his chauffeur right now. He has (his driver’s license), but he’s been waiting so long to get a car and I don’t know why. He’s been using Elfrid as his Uber, but it’s a nice Uber. Usually (a car is) one of the first things that you get because you need to get around, but he’s just been using Elfrid. Hopefully he tips him.”
GAINING SKILES’ TRUST: Through the years, Skiles has leaned heavily on some rookie players, while limiting the playing time of others who have struggled on the defensive end of the floor.
Skiles has been alternatingly hot and cold on Hezonja because of the 20-year-old’s off-the-charts instincts on the offensive end of the floor and his struggles on defense.
But Skiles said prior to Wednesday’s game that Hezonja has worked hard enough and has shown enough of a grasp of the NBA game that he seriously considered starting the 6-foot-8, 218-pounder at shooting guard.
“We actually gave a lot of thought to starting Mario, but we just decided initially here to bring him off the bench,” Skiles said. “We weren’t sure if we were going to have Elfrid (Payton) enough.
“The thing we’re trying to weigh with (Hezonja) is we want him to feel comfortable – that’s the main thing,” Skiles continued. “When it came right down to it, it’s my decision. What he’s shown so far is when you first put him into the game it’s been rough going for him for the first couple or three minutes and then after he sits down he’s much better. So I think he’s still just dealing with – I don’t want to call them jitters because he’s really confident – but there’s a little bit of uncertainty. I just felt like maybe this early on in the season it would be unfair to him to put him right out there.”
Hezonja appeared in all eight preseason games, but he made just one start. He twice scored in double figures, pumping in 19 points versus New Orleans and 13 points against Houston.
INJURIES ALL GONE: The Magic were delighted to get starters Tobias Harris and Elfrid Payton and top reserves Aaron Gordon and Jason Smith back for Wednesday’s opener following bouts with illnesses and injuries. That meant Orlando has all 14 players on its roster available to play – something of a rarity following an injury-plagued preseason.
Harris was in and out of practice much of the past week because of the stomach flu and a head cold. Payton missed the final five games of the preseason because of a hamstring injury, while Gordon appeared in just two exhibition games because of jaw and feet injuries.
Harris, one of the Magic’s best leaders on the floor and in the locker room, said he wasn’t about to let anything keep him out of the opener against the Washington Wizards. “If I’m playing, I’m 100 percent,” Harris said. “It doesn’t matter what my temperature is but if I’m out there you can consider me to be 100 percent.”
Smith, who signed with the Magic in July, suffered two injuries in the past week to put his availability in doubt. He tweaked a toe so violently that his toenail tore off, and then he sprained his ankle. However, Smith worked out before the game and was cleared to play.
