2032 NBN Hall of Fame Nominee: Mario Hezonja

[Donny - Bucks]

The 126th nominee of the NBN Hall of Fame was the definition of three-and-d in his career in the league. The league's got a ton of history with guys like Hezonja, but was Mario's ability to take over any game he had to warrant entry to the Hall of Fame alongside some of the most legendary players in the history of the NBN? Let's take a look.

Career Stats
1,404 games - 26.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, .5 BPG, 2.7 TOPG, 47.1% from the field, 91.2% from the line, 43.4% from three.

Best Season
2026 Bucks - 30.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, .5 BPG, 2.7 TOPG, 48.0% from the field, 88.4% from the line, 44.3% from three.

Career Highs
Points: 57
Rebounds: 20
Assists: 14
Steals: 8
Blocks: 3

Achievements
Championships: 0
Player of the Game: 126
Player of the Week: 1
Player of the Month: 0
Double Doubles: 255
Triple Doubles: 1

Career Leaderboard Rankings
Points - 9
3 Pointers - 8

Awards
2015 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2015 - Rookie of the Year
2015 - All-Rookie Team
2016 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2017 - 3-Point Shootout Champion
2024 - All-Star Game Participant
2025 - All-Star Game Participant
2028 - All-Star Game Participant
2029 - All-Star Game Participant



Arguments For Induction
- Hezonja's a top 10 scorer all-time in the NBN, going back almost four decades. While Hezonja may not have been the flashiest player or the biggest stat stuffer, he scored. A LOT. Like, ninth best all time a lot. Never dropped under 20 points-per-game in any full season over his entire 17 season career. That's insane in itself.
- There was almost zero decline in Hezonja's ability over his entire career. Mario shot .469 in his last season as what looks like a potentially injury plagued season. Hezonja shot the ball with frequency at a level of efficiency that's rarely seen in the league today. Retiring with A- inside and A outside, his longevity is something that's super important to look at.
- Four-time All-Star is really nothing to sneeze at when you consider the SFs in the league around the same time he was in his prime. Guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, and Josh Jackson all slid into All-Star spots frequently, and all are at the very least arguable Hall of Famers, likely all getting the nod. 
- Hezonja lead some less-than-great teams to the playoffs throughout his career. Without Hezonja, the Magic likely don't appear in the playoffs in 2024/2025, the Clippers probably struggle to slide in, etc. Hezonja was one of the best two players on every single team he was on.
- No glaring weaknesses at all in his game. For a guy who shot at a high volume frequently throughout his career (29,000 shots), he didn't turn the ball over that much and always racked up a decent amount of assists and stocks. Largely successful throughout his entire career, top to bottom.
- Won a 3-Point Shootout, even furthering the whole "3 and D superstar" case.


Arguments Against Induction
- No Championship. While it's not his fault necessarily with him spending most of his career on non-contenders, not having that hardware is tough when you might be considered a borderline Hall of Famer.
- Little bit short on accolades. Few All-Star games and a 3-Point Shootout win, other than that, not a whole lot of meaningful awards there. 126 player of the games, 1 player of the week. 
- In a Hall of Famer, you'd probably want someone who contributed a bit passing the ball as well. His lower assist total may be due to the teams around him, as he had multiple seasons around 4 or higher, but having a 3.3 APG v 2.7 TOPG ratio isn't exactly helping his cause.
- No All-League teams. While he was an insanely talented player and elite almost his entire career, it doesn't help not having even a single All-League Third team.


Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully.


***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25***

[Donny - Bucks]

Mario Hezonja's player page

nothinbutnetleague.altervista.org/NothinButNet/2032/html/players/player363.htm

[Donny - Bucks]

Voted Yes - Clippers

Had the best longevity there, most success on a team.

[Rog]

Yeah, without a true peak he looks like a borderline Hall of Famer, and then you look at his 6 year, 29 point, 7.5 rebound, 3.5 assist with 47/91/43 percentages and looks like one of the best true peaks we've seen here, its a no brainer.

[lynchcats]

Hezonja was one of the best scorers in league history. Very prolific. It's hard to get league recognition when you don't put up elite rebounding numbers for a SF, and Hezonja always seemed to be around the 4th or 5th best SF. You have to remember that he was around in a league where Andrew Wiggins dominated at SF for many, many years. I'm voting him in for the Magic because the Magic is where he made his first two All-Star game appearances of the four that he made. He didn't make any with the Clippers.

[pjclippers]

Super Mario was one of the best scorers in league history and a key member of some of the best squads I've ever assembled. I'm voting for him to go in as a member of Lob City not just to be a homer but because arguably his best season was with our squad in 2022 when he made 224 three-pointers and still shot over 50% from behind the arc while being part of a backcourt that included James Harden and Steph Curry.

[ucfinfan86]

I'm voting yes because of the longevity and you can't deny the top 10 in points and 3pters.

[vanimmer]

hard to vote no to one of the best scorers in the league. Ok he' had to's issues but beiing that much on the ball makes you loose it more. voted him in athough he isn't my kind of player

[carmelo115]

I'm going to say yes. Top 10 scorer of all time and was pretty efficient. Turnovers sucked, but he was a legit #1/2 option.

[JCog72]

Yes, outstanding scorer

[bigthunder]

Oh yeah, this man was great in his prime. He could drop 50 on you easy peasy. Also a solid defender, he should get in.

[naterade]

Ya I’ll vote yes here as well. Elite scoring with some ridiculous seasons, and accolades to back it up. Hard to do this because I hate him in real life..

[frosty]

Yes too good of a scorer and didn't hurt you anywhere else

[Deleted]

Yes, voted Clippers

[buckeyeballa10]

yes from me. Super Mario was a great player in the NBN. he played in a time when we had some great SF's, so that didnt help him from a popularity standpoint. But a great player and def HOF worthy.