Griz's O.J. Mayo has shifted from offensive nucleus to all-around glue player

¹²³ · Dec 18, 2009

His second NBA season boasts results that are similar to the first, but O.J. Mayo is giving the Grizzlies a different look.

For the first time in his basketball life, the Grizzlies guard isn't being asked to carry a heavy offensive load.

As a rookie, Mayo operated mostly as a gunner without much team success. As a sophomore, the 6-4 guard has crossed over into a glue guy who gladly holds back his individual talent to satisfy the Grizzlies' mantra: One Team.

Memphis enters its game tonight against Indiana with a 10-15 record -- slightly ahead of last season's pace. The Griz haven't gotten less Mayo; rather, they've enjoyed a well-adapted new version.

"I just want to win," said Mayo, whose scoring average (17.6 points per game) is on par with what helped him finish as the runner-up to Chicago's Derrick Rose for the 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year award. "... As a competitor you want to do well. But I will take winning over me averaging 30 points any day. Our team has that mind-set. We just have to keep it that way."

It's no coincidence that the Grizzlies' emergence over the past few weeks coincides with Mayo's hitting his most consistent stride this season.

He has produced games with 10 field goals three times in the past six. He'd taken no more than 18 shots on those occasions, which is one reason Mayo is shooting 47 percent this season, up from 43.8 percent a year ago.

"He's learning how to play with other players who have talent," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "He's learning to fit in and get his shots within the system. He knows that when he pushes the ball he can pull up and take a shot. There are plays for him to score but there are also plays for him to create. He's figuring out the balance and he's getting better all the time."

Consider, too, that Mayo's string of double-digit field goals came in wins against Dallas and Cleveland and a five-point loss to Boston.

"I told the guys I'm more about being efficient and consistent," Mayo said. "I just want to make more than I miss when I do get shots. There are nights when I feel like I can get it rolling so I'll be a little more aggressive. But the plan every night is to be consistent."

Mayo is averaging 20 points per game on 49 percent shooting in the past seven contests and he has scored 15 or more points in eight straight. Hollins is also happy that Mayo has reduced his turnovers.

Remember when Mayo scored a career-high 40 points Nov. 1 at Denver? He also became the first player in franchise history to score that many points without turning the ball over.

"He's cut down on his turnovers because he's not playing in traffic as much," Hollins said. "He's figuring it out. He's taking the leap from just being a talent to being a basketball player."

None of this means that Mayo never gets off kilter.

There was a sequence during the Grizzlies' loss to Boston on Monday night that captured Mayo's occasional annoyance when teammates don't act as selflessly as he has tried to.

Rudy Gay came away with an offensive rebound, looked at a wide-open Mayo but didn't pass him the ball. Instead, Gay jacked an ill-advised 3-pointer that he missed. Mayo soon misfired on a quick shot from beyond the arc, seemingly out of frustration.

The difference with Mayo and his teammates now is that they will have more constructive conversations about those instances. Mayo still is determined to lead even without being voted a captain by his peers.

"He's a winner. I can tell you that," center Marc Gasol said. "I know he wants to win no matter what. It's clear he's listening to the right people. The veterans on the team. He's listening to coach. He's mature enough to understand it takes all of us to win."

None this means the Griz have de-emphasized Mayo. The team's orders are to look for Mayo early in transition. He has the option to shoot if there's an opportunity early in the shot clock. The Griz will run a play if Mayo doesn't see an opening.

Still, point guard has to yell at Mayo to shoot at times.

"And he'll just say, 'Man, I'm just playing basketball.' That's the biggest key. He's taking good shots and making the right plays right now," Conley said. "He's realized he can make plays for people and don't always have to score. We're making more high-percentage plays and he's a big part of that."

Mayo says that attitude won't change.

"Every team I've played on I was the guy who could take shots when I wanted," Mayo said. "I'm in a position now to be a playmaker and when a shot comes, take it. It's cool. You know your job. It's nice to know my team doesn't need me to score 40 to have a chance to win. We can all go out and make it happen."
Click to expand...

Link

kobe23 · Dec 21, 2009

Good to know mayo is taking the smarter route... Hmmm OJ and Marc, a young Kobe - Pau tandem?

Log in or Sign up

Griz's O.J. Mayo has shifted from offensive nucleus to all-around glue player

¹²³ ¼½¾

kobe23 JBB JustBBall Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Griz's O.J. Mayo has shifted from offensive nucleus to all-around glue player

¹²³ ¼½¾

kobe23 JBB JustBBall Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches