But Hezonja’s confidence shouldn’t be confused with arrogance. The reason why he wasn’t buried by the Magic last season was because he humbly earned an opportunity. He convinced people who had no stake in his career that his role should increase, despite that being against the franchise’s direction.

“I was supposed to be in Jahlil Okafor’s situation (in Philadelphia), like, ‘We’re not going to play you, and you’re just going to sit on the bench,’” says the Croatian, who averaged 14 points and 5.6 boards on 46 percent shooting in his 30 games as a starter last season. “But because I was not an a--hole, I was not b---tching to teammates, I worked hard, they played me.”

For the better part of his three years in Orlando – before he was thrust into the starting lineup – Hezonja spent his post-games simulating real playing time. He found a very willing workout partner in Orlando’s video coordinator Cory Verjaska. His efforts were poured into practice.

“I wasn’t playing, but at practice you better be ready because I’m going to bust your ass,” he says. “And I’m probably not going to play in the game but I can help you.

“It wasn’t about me. I’m going to go out and practice. I’ll get mine later. I’ll come back. Don’t worry about me. But I want to raise the atmosphere, raise the level.”

Still, the Magic was a mess. The GM, Rob Hennigan, completed one awful move after another. Hezonja had three coaches in his first two seasons, not counting an interim. The second coach, Scott Skiles, kept Hezonja on a short leash. His relationship with the third coach – Frank Vogel – didn’t blossom until both knew they wouldn’t survive in Orlando.

“Frank changed a little bit with me. Once he put me in the starting lineup, our relationship went to another level,” Hezonja says. “We always had relationship of person-to-person, but once I became his starter and he had trust in me, he was like, ‘Okay, this is my player No. 1,’ and it became a close relationship. I loved it but the timing was a little bit off. We were losing. Everyone was looking up stairs like what’s going on. It was weird things going on.

“And he felt it. I was looking at the assistant coaches, too. It was not easy for them.”

For the better part of his three years in Orlando – before he was thrust into the starting lineup – Hezonja spent his post-games simulating real playing time. He found a very willing workout partner in Orlando’s video coordinator Cory Verjaska. His efforts were poured into practice.