OJ Mayo accepts sixth-man role for Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies guard OJ Mayo admitted he was disappointed when he was taken out of the starting line-up, but the former USC stand-out vowed to adjust his new role especially if it will
benefit the team and help them bounce back from their slow start this season.
Mayo, who is averaging 13.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season, also admitted that it will be difficult for him to adjust, and this was evident in their last two games. Mayo only
scored two points against the Miami Heat on 20 November, followed by a nine-point performance against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday 24 November.
“You just have to be patient and stay enthused,” Mayo said. “I just want to help my team in any way possible. I just want it to be a winning decision. I won't do anything to bother this team
because I'm definitely a team player.”
Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins was aware that Mayo was disappointed when he opted to start rookie guard Xavier Henry, but he clarified that the decision was not a “demotion” for Mayo
and that they just want to shore up their second-unit scoring, which has been their problem in their first 15 games this season.
“I've been thinking about how we can balance our line-up,” Hollins said. “Everybody talks about how bad the bench is. We were not getting anybody on the bench that was a true, pure scorer
so I have always been trying to figure out what is best to do. O.J. is a good shooter and he does have a scoring mentality. When you put him with the second unit maybe they'll develop an identity.”
Henry, who was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, only averaged four points in his first two starts this season and shot a combined 2-for-10 from the floor. However,
Hollins said that he saw a lot of positives from the 19-year-old guard and he is hoping for better results in their next few games.
“Xavier's played well enough that I'm comfortable having him out there,” Hollins said. “I trust he can play in the minutes he's out there. We will play it out and see how it goes. Hopefully,
this is something that will twist us a little more.”
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