Memphis Grizzlies guards Allen and Mayo let bygones be bygones
They played, they fought and then they made up.
Three days after causing both themselves and their franchise tons of embarrassment, the combative duo of Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo seem to have made up.
On Thursday they collectively announced,
“Me, O.J. and the team, we pretty much had a whole practice on focusing on our offense and getting better with our defense,” Allen said. “I pretty much think it’s behind us. That’s how we’re
looking at it at this point.”
Mayo went on to add,
“There definitely was an altercation between me and T.A. By the way, that’s one of my good friends on this team. So, no hard feelings amongst each other.”
The situation unfolded on Wednesday after a card game between the two guards, went awry during teams’ charter flight back to Memphis. Apparently, Mayo owed Allen some money, but the 23-year-old
became increasingly agitated when asked to pay his obligation.
Allen tried not make the money-related argument into an issue and reportedly walked away from Mayo to head for the restroom. Upon returning though, he still found Mayo beating about the
bush. Allen, known to be a tough guy, warned Mayo to stop instigating him but the young guard never listened.
The repeated confrontation finally proved a little too much for Allen and an argument that stemmed from a gambling debt finally swelled into an all-out physical brawl.
Allen struck Mayo at least five times until being separated by teammates.
The repercussions of the on-flight altercation became imminent immediately. The fight prompted the Grizzlies Coach Lionel Hollins to ban gambling during flights, buses and official engagements.
Hollins added that the issue had been put to rest on the very day and he had got Allen and Mayo to apologize to the team.
"It's not an issue," Hollins said. "It's like spraining your ankle. You get up, you tape it, you keep playing. You have an altercation, you shake hands, it's over. You move forward."
Even though Allen threw the first punch, various reports indicated that the Grizzlies management believed that Mayo was the verbal instigator of the incident. On Thursday however, in an
official statement the franchise announced that it has fined Allen an undisclosed amount for his part in the altercation and made no mention of O.J. Mayo.
This may seem a little odd as by all accounts Mayo seemed to be responsible for spurring the incident. But, it is possible that Mayo may have been disciplined for his act by ditching him
for the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the franchise still maintains that a bout of Bronchitis was the sole reason of his absence.
Ironically, it was Tony Allen who replaced Mayo that night, and went on to notch up his season high 19 points.
The incident though seems over now and the Grizzlies can focus more on their looming encounter against the Utah Jazz.
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