"The concept had been tossed around long before the Grizzlies played their 14th game of this regular season.

Coach Lionel Hollins acknowledged that moving O.J. Mayo to the bench was something his staff discussed in September. The Griz coaches met in Tunica before training camp began for a retreat to discuss how to make the team better.

"I've been thinking about how we can balance our lineup," Hollins said. "Everybody talks about how bad the bench is. We weren't getting anybody on the bench that was a true, pure scorer so I've always been trying to figure out what's 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."

So the Griz now have a new Sixth Man. Mayo came off the bench Wednesday in the Grizzlies' 105-84 victory over the Detroit Pistons. He'll be a reserve tonight when the Griz host the Golden State Warriors and until an unforeseen circumstance dictates a change.

Rookie guard Xavier Henry is the new starter at shooting guard; however, Hollins couldn't have been more clear about his rationale -- Henry didn't beat out Mayo for the job.

Both players are shooting less than 40 percent. Mayo remains a more established NBA scorer despite struggling through career lows in scoring average (13.6 ppg) and shooting percentage (.387)."