February 4
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo's time at point guard can no longer be classified as an experiment. The move to have Mayo spell starter Mike Conley is suddenly Griz coach Lionel Hollins' preference. To Mayo's credit, he's instilled confidence in the change with better decision-making. Mayo said he has learned to operate with more poise in the two years the Griz have tried to play him at the point. "It's definitely decision-making and growth in your game," Mayo said. "I've grown as a player. I came back this season a lot more focused. I worked to come into this season more prepared." Proof that Mayo has a good grasp on what it means to be an effective combo guard came in the first half. Mayo took over for Conley"
February 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo moved over to the point guard position in the first half when the time came to give starter Mike Conley a rest. Griz coach Lionel Hollins called the move strategic to go with Mayo instead of the usual backup, rookie Josh Selby. "The reason I wanted to consider that was because Andre Miller was their backup point guard," Hollins said. "That would a perfect setting for O.J. to guard Miller. Selby is so inexperienced to guard somebody as savvy as that. And it allowed us to keep Tony (Allen) on the court longer. It allowed us to play (Quincy Pondexter) a little bit more. It all played just right for us in that regard.""
January 23
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo has been the subject of many reported deals involving the Grizzlies over the past year. The reserve 6-3 guard continues to block out the would-be distractions but Mayo wants you to know about a trade he loves. Mayo recently swapped ideas with Griz coach Lionel Hollins about how to best utilize him, and the exchange seems to be working well for both parties. Hollins has given Mayo more freedom to score and the fourth-year gunner has returned the favor by giving the Griz instant offense."
January 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are again discussing whether to deal reserve guard O.J. Mayo. This time, Memphis has explored at least two trade scenarios with the New Jersey Nets over the past couple of weeks, according to two NBA sources. Yahoo Sports first reported the talks. The Nets are interested in acquiring Mayo for salary-cap reasons as they try to clear room to make a run at Orlando center Dwight Howard in the offseason. With that in mind, the Nets have offered fourth-year guard Anthony Morrow for Mayo. Morrow, a 6-5 shooting guard, will earn $4 million this year and is guaranteed for $4 million next season. Mayo is making $5.6 this season — the final year of his rookie contract. He has a $7.4"
December 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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When the basketball finally made its way around the perimeter and to a spot in the corner, there stood O.J. Mayo and he didn't hesitate. The Grizzlies guard caught a pass, then beat the buzzer and aggressive defense with a 3-pointer. Mayo's score proved to be a fine finish to a sequence in which the Griz rehearsed trailing by a basket with little time left. His shot was also an indication of what the Griz have enjoyed during training camp. And Mayo returned to Memphis on point in more ways than one."
December 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Xavier Henry has a second-degree right ankle sprain and could miss up to four weeks. Henry, who has partially torn ligaments in the ankle, said the team's athletic trainers told him an optimistic recovery time would be two weeks. The 6-6 guard was injured Monday when he stepped on a teammate's foot on a drive to the basket. Henry missed practice Tuesday. He is wearing a walking boot and using crutches. The situation presents another setback for Henry, who couldn't finish last season because of a knee injury."
December 12
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley attended practice this morning for the first time since training camp began last week. He took in the sights and sounds, exchanged pleasantries with several players and then delivered a couple of public service announcements through the media. Heisley, a Chicago-based billionaire, dispelled speculation that guard O.J. Mayo is again on the trading block and that the Griz could lose center Marc Gasol in free agency. "Right now, we do not have any active effort going to trade O.J. Mayo," Heisley said, also reiterating that the Griz intend to match any offers for Gasol, a restricted free agent."
November 2
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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There is no doubt O.J. Mayo will be on the Grizzlies' roster when the NBA settles its labor dispute with the players. But for how long? Mayo's career is at a crossroads. And the Grizzlies -- facing high expectations after a playoff run to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals last season -- are right there in terms of evaluating Mayo's future with the organization. The 6-3 shooting guard brought a household name and bucket loads of points in 2008, going on to average 18 points his first two seasons as a starter. But those Griz teams weren't playoff qualifiers."
May 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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This is pretty much how a team should work. Starting Griz shooting guard Sam Young loses his starting job on the same day his car gets stolen while he's at a Memphis ATM. And it's one of the happiest days of his life. O.J. Mayo, who lost his starting job in November, is back in the lineup and produces 16 points with some sorely needed outside shooting. And it's one of the most humbling days of his life. This is how a team like the Grizzlies somehow claws back from a 10-point halftime deficit on Friday night and beats the Oklahoma City Thunder, 95-83, to even the Western Conference semifinal series at 3-3 and force a deciding Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon. "All year, I trusted"
April 20
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Geoff Calkins
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O.J. Mayo is not going to apologize, OK? He's not going to apologize for that 3-pointer he hit at the end of the first quarter the other day. Yes, it's possible that the clock operator was a tad slow Sunday, that he didn't get the clock started soon enough, and that if he hadn't dithered for a full second Mayo's shot would have been too late. But if anyone in the game deserved a break, it's Mayo. He probably deserves a dozen more tonight. "It's unbelievable what he's been through," said Mike Conley. Maybe the "J" in O.J. stands for Job? So gather around your TV sets to watch the plucky Grizzlies try to win Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs. The pluckiest may be Mayo, who would make a"
March 29
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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With his fingerprint a match for the high-tech locks that open FedExForum, O.J. Mayo moonlights quite often these days. It was well after 9 p.m. last Saturday night when the Grizzlies guard sauntered onto the practice court and hoisted shots with a friend. Then, teammate Tony Allen arrived and they launched hundreds more. Mayo is proud of his after-hours work. And the Grizzlies are benefiting from the productivity that has come from the extra practice as Mayo has been more efficient lately while officially on the clock. With a 17-point outing during the Grizzlies' 111-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, Mayo finished off his most constructive scoring stretch in some time."
March 19
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has a self-induced and comfortable case of amnesia when it comes to the failed O.J. Mayo trade. He didn't want to move the third-year guard. As for Mayo's future? Well, there still are no guarantees. Only this is for certain: Everyone has moved on from the deadline trade with Indiana that never happened. "We're in the moment with this team," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. "Everybody is doing everything they can to get into the playoffs. The future will be dealt with when this season is over." Before the Grizzlies try to get past the Indiana Pacers tonight in FedExForum, there will be no escaping the reminder that these teams agreed on a deal that"
February 26
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Back from the brink of divorce, Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo insisted he's not bitter after an agreed-upon trade shipping him to Indiana failed to go through at the NBA's trade deadline. "We're still married and I'm happy to be here," Mayo said Friday following the Grizzlies' workout. "I think I belong here. It's my job to prove that I need to be here." Mayo wore a smile and his familiar No. 32 practice jersey as the Griz prepared for tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings. Griz coach Lionel Hollins said Mayo's role won't change and he'll be the first guard to play off the bench. Mayo was home watching ESPN and taking frantic phone calls from family, friends and teammates when the deal"
February 25
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo's career with the Grizzlies figuratively ended and resumed in the amount of time it took to complete one phone call and make another. The Grizzlies agreed to trade Mayo to the Indiana Pacers for forward/center Josh McRoberts and a 2011 first-round draft pick Thursday just before the NBA's trade deadline. The transaction was supposed to involve a third team but never got finalized because it was submitted to the league shortly after the 2 p.m. deadline. The deal was widely reported -- and Griz owner Michael Heisley spoke to The Commercial Appeal of his sadness over parting with Mayo, a favorite of the owner. But then Griz general manager Chris Wallace, in a text to the newspaper,"
February 25
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo's career with the Grizzlies figuratively ended and resumed in the amount of time it took to complete one phone call and make another. The Grizzlies agreed to trade Mayo to the Indiana Pacers for forward/center Josh McRoberts and a 2011 first-round draft pick Thursday just before the NBA's trade deadline. The transaction was supposed to involve a third team but never got finalized because it was submitted to the league shortly after the 2 p.m. deadline. The deal was widely reported -- and Griz owner Michael Heisley spoke to The Commercial Appeal of his sadness over parting with Mayo, a favorite of the owner. But then Griz general manager Chris Wallace, in a text to the newspaper,"
February 24
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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With starting forward Rudy Gay out with a shoulder injury for at least three more weeks, the Grizzlies acquired forward Shane Battier from the Houston Rockets for 2009 No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet at the NBA trade deadline today. The Grizzlies thought they had a trade that would send O.J. Mayo to Indiana for power forward/center Josh McRoberts and a first-round draft pick. But the deal was never consummated because the teams missed the NBA’s 2 p.m. deadline. “Despite published reports, O.J. was not traded,” Griz general manager Chris Wallace said in a tweet. The Indianapolis Star reported, on a source basis, that the Grizzlies pulled out of the deal at the last minute. National NBA reporter"
February 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The inconsequential game of three-on-three following Grizzlies practice Monday turned serious at times with spirited debates over every call imaginable. There is no question that O.J. Mayo's competitive juices were flowing on the eve of his return from a 10-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. What's in doubt is just about everything else. Mayo is eligible to play for the first time since Jan. 26 when the Griz host the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in FedExForum. He was banned for testing positive for the steroid precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) -- and the Grizzlies have had enhanced performances ever since. Coach Lionel Hollins is now charged with trying to"
February 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies reserve guard O.J. Mayo can now hit play again on his season. After pausing for 10 games due to his suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, Mayo is set to return to action Tuesday when the Griz host the Philadelphia 76ers. Mayo hasn't played since Jan. 24. The suspension ended Sunday following the Grizzlies' 116-108 win over the Denver Nuggets. Although Mayo was allowed to practice and travel with the team over the past 21/2 weeks, Coach Lionel Hollins said Mayo's return will present a major challenge for the third-year player. "The team is not static. It's fluid. It's changing constantly," Hollins said. "He'll be trying to find out where the team is and trying to"
January 30
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo said the product that included a banned substance and led to his 10-game suspension without pay by the NBA was purchased over the counter at a local gas station. When asked to name the product or why he used it, Mayo declined to give specifics. "It was an energy drink or something similar," Mayo said Saturday several hours before the Griz hosted the Washington Wizards. "It was bad judgment on my behalf because I maybe should have gotten it checked out by Drew (Graham, the team's athletic trainer). I can't go too much into it because of the NBA." Mayo tested positive for the steroid precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a substance prohibited under the NBA's"
January 28
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The NBA announced today that Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo has been suspended without pay for 10 games for violating the terms of the league's anti-drug program. His violation of the program involved a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone. DHEA is commonly available in health food stores and pharmacies. It is a steroid hormone that acts on the body much like testosterone. Mayo's suspension will begin with Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Mayo will be eligible to return Feb. 15 when the Griz host the Sixers. "I'm extremely disappointed that I'm going to miss the next 10 games, particularly as our team is making a push for the playoffs," Mayo said in a statement. "I had no idea"
January 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo used to strongly pledge his allegiance to the Grizzlies whenever his name surfaced in trade rumors. Now the Griz guard sounds a bit indifferent when reacting to a report that he could be involved in a potential Carmelo Anthony deal. "You have to come to work every day and stay focused, and keep a winning mindset," Mayo said Friday after the Griz prepared to face the Dallas Mavericks tonight in FedExForum. "If something was to happen, I just hope it's to a winning organization. I just want to be part of an organization that's winning. But for the time being, I'm happy here in Memphis." Griz brass strongly stated that there is no intention to trade Mayo despite the latest noise"
January 6
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has banned gambling on team flights following a physical altercation between O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen over an unpaid debt in a card game. The fight happened Monday on the team's chartered plane from Los Angeles to Memphis, and Hollins said he immediately informed the team that betting would no longer be allowed. "We're in a confined airplane, and things get heated. I'm done with it. No more gambling," Hollins said. "I told my guys if they read a book, that would be good. They have to entertain themselves in a different manner." Hollins said Mayo and Allen weren't disciplined by the team, and he preferred to treat the incident like he would a blowup during"
January 5
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo were involved in a physical altercation Monday afternoon over a gambling debt during the Grizzlies' flight home from Los Angeles. Team officials insisted that Mayo's absence Tuesday night for the Grizzlies' 110-105 victory over the Oklahoma Thunder was due to bronchitis and not the fight. But the incident was described as a one-sided scrap in which Allen clearly got the best of Mayo. Neither player was disciplined after meeting with coach Lionel Hollins once the team arrived in Memphis. According to a source, Mayo and Allen were involved in a card game that left Mayo owing Allen between $1,000 and $1,500. Mayo refused to pay and repeatedly insulted Allen."
December 25
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The father of Memphis Grizzlies player O.J. Mayo was charged with attempted murder Thursday after he hit a police officer with his car and dragged him several feet, police said. Two officers were searching for someone else at about 2:30 a.m. CST when they saw 39-year-old Kenneth Maurice Ziegler of Huntington in a vehicle trying to hide, police said. When they confronted him, he put the vehicle into gear, drove into one of the officers and dragged him, they said. Police chased the vehicle for several miles through a Huntington neighborhood before disabling it with spike strips. Ziegler was captured after a short foot chase and charged with attempted murder, two counts of possession of a"
December 24
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The father of Memphis Grizzlies player O.J. Mayo was charged with attempted murder Thursday after he hit a police officer with his car and dragged him several feet, police said. Two officers were searching for someone else at about 2:30 a.m. CST when they saw 39-year-old Kenneth Maurice Ziegler of Huntington in a vehicle trying to hide, police said. When they confronted him, he put the vehicle into gear, drove into one of the officers and dragged him, they said. Police chased the vehicle for several miles through a Huntington neighborhood before disabling it with spike strips. Ziegler was captured after a short foot chase and charged with attempted murder, two counts of possession of a"
December 17
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The holiday season is upon us, and O.J. Mayo is feeling merrier about his role with the Grizzlies amid recent changes. Griz owner Michael Heisley wanted to make sure of that earlier this week when he gave his reserve guard a vote of confidence. "I wanted O.J. to know how much we think of him," Heisley said. "I stand behind our plan. My goal is to keep these five guys together and try to build a good team. We had a good talk. There were no problems." Heisley spent three days in Memphis earlier this week and initiated a private meeting with Mayo, a two-year starter asked to be a reserve scorer during his third NBA season. Mayo, who has found an offensive groove as of late, will play off the"
December 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo launched a 3-point shot and the basketball bounced around the rim three times before it finally fell through as the Grizzlies' guard flashed a sheepish grin. Mayo's basket was more emphatic moments later when he wrapped the ball around his back and tossed in a lefty layup that finished a fast break. The Grizzlies gave a crowd of 12,219 a little bit of this and a little bit of that in terms of showmanship Wednesday night. And in between their Harlem Globetrotter-like routines, the Griz gave the Charlotte Bobcats the business defensively throughout a 113-80 victory in FedExForum. The pummeling accounted for the Grizzlies' fourth straight win and their second-largest margin of
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December 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Trade rumors involving the Grizzlies are starting to swirl, but team brass put on ice Monday any notion that they are looking to deal guard O.J. Mayo and/or center Hasheem Thabeet. One Internet report speculated that the team had given up on Thabeet, the No. 2 pick in 2009, and were actively shopping him. A different blog cited an unidentified source as declaring that Mayo could be headed to New York as soon as this week. "We are not trying to trade O.J. or Hasheem," said Griz owner Michael Heisley, who sat courtside Monday with Portland in town. "We haven't had any conversations about them, and I should know because I'm the one making the decisions." Griz coach Lionel Hollins said trade"
November 26
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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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"
November 25
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins shuffled his lineup for a second straight game. This time, discipline had nothing to do with it. Hollins said his decision Wednesday to take guard O.J. Mayo out of the starting lineup is designed to give the team's struggling bench scoring punch. Rookie Xavier Henry will start at shooting guard for the foreseeable future, although Hollins insisted the change isn't permanent. "It's difficult when you make these kinds of decisions because everybody reads more into it than they should," Hollins said. "I had a long talk with O.J. He's fine and he'll do well." Coming off the bench will allow Mayo to be featured more on offense, according to Hollins. Mayo won't"
November 21
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo and Zach Randolph did not start Saturday against the Miami Heat because they arrived late for the Grizzlies' shootaround. Griz coach Lionel Hollins announced the discipline about 90 minutes before tip-off. Rookie guard Xavier Henry and third-year forward Darrell Arthur started instead. "I'm just trying to let everybody know, it's about the team," Hollins said. "Guys have to represent, follow the rules, and respect your teammates." Hollins said both players were more than a few minutes late. Randolph said he thought the practice was scheduled for 4:45 p.m. The Griz met at 4:30. "It's a one-time thing," Hollins said. "If they had been this way before, they wouldn't have started"
November 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo didn't get much of an opportunity to dream about the Grizzlies' potential last week after their season-opening loss. You see, Mayo couldn't sleep that night. He stayed awake thinking about his passive performance in a depressing defeat to the Atlanta Hawks. "I wasn't even tired after that (Atlanta) game," Mayo said. "I didn't give it all I had in me, and I don't want to feel like that ever again. From now on, I've got to leave it all out on the floor so I can sleep at night." If there was a tinge of concern about Mayo because of his slow start to the regular season after subpar shooting during exhibition play, then Griz fans can rest easy. Mayo sure seems to have entered a"
July 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Ronald Tillery
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O.J. Mayo ended his two-game point guard experiment with great disappointment. However, he is not deterred. The Grizzlies third-year player knew that he wouldn't make a seamless transition from the shooting guard position to running the point. But Mayo hoped for a more credible showing. Mayo committed 15 total turnovers and handed out just six assists after volunteering to play in the Grizzlies' first two NBA Summer League games. The 6-4 scorer didn't have trouble putting the ball in the basket. However, his ballhandling and decision making left a lot to be desired. Mayo's flirtation at the point left this impression: While he's not exactly a lost cause, Mayo needs more repetition and a"
July 13
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo graded himself pretty harshly following the official start of his point guard experimentation with the Grizzlies. Mayo, the team's 6-4 starting shooting guard of the past two seasons, gave himself an 'F' after running the point Monday night during the Grizzlies' Las Vegas Summer League opener. And one would think the grade was marked in red ink judging by the sheepish grin on Mayo's face as he analyzed an eight-turnover, three-assist performance in an 89-85 win against the Atlanta Hawks. "I definitely feel like I can play a lot better," Mayo said. "The goal is to continue to get better and better. I know I said I was going to only play two games. But I might play the rest of the"
July 12
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has just four words to describe his expectations for summer league. "Get experience and improve," Hollins said. The Griz begin a five-games-in-seven-days schedule tonight in the Las Vegas Summer League, and Hollins' words apply most to his biggest star on the roster. Third-year shooting guard O.J. Mayo will play the headliner in the Grizzlies' first two games as he attempts to adapt to the point guard position. Hollins uses two words to describe the hoopla surrounding Mayo's surprising summer-league appearance. "It's overblown," Hollins said."
June 22
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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A report that Memphis offered guard O.J. Mayo in an attempt to trade for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul drew the ire of Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley and a strong denial. "Unequivocally, O.J. Mayo was not part of any discussions about a trade for Chris Paul," Heisley said Monday night. "That is not true. Where do these people get this stuff?" Yahoo! Sports reported on its website Monday that "The Memphis Grizzlies offered O.J. Mayo as part of a package for Paul recently, but talks went nowhere." Heisley acknowledged that he approached New Orleans about Paul's availability but insisted "Mayo was not part of the package that I talked to them about." Here's what Heisley and"
June 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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As the Grizzlies prepare to add more players through the NBA draft, there's still an organizational belief that their continued march forward rides mostly on internal improvement. No one is taking that more seriously than O.J. Mayo. The third-year shooting guard is looking to earn some time playing point guard next season. "I'm not scared to say that I'm not the best point guard right now," said Mayo, who is in Memphis and working out. "I'm probably horrible right now mainly because I haven't played with the ball in three years. But I think through repetition I can be good." Griz coaches and executives spent Tuesday morning watching point guard prospects they might consider with their late"
April 11
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Mayo suffered a mild left ankle sprain midway through the first period. He immediately left the game and returned in time to bank in a 3-pointer as the horn sounded at the end of the period. But Mayo, who was hurt while driving to the basket, didn't answer the bell when the second period began. His status is day to day. "Once O.J. went out, we struggled," Hollins said. "It kind of took away our outside game. He really is our outside game.""
April 6
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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O.J. Mayo began this season with the stated goal of making a supreme sacrifice. The second-year guard said he would scale back his focus on scoring to become more of a glue guy able to adapt his game alongside several dynamic scorers. He effectively operated with that mindset throughout the season and, as it turned out, he didn't take a step back offensively. Mayo is on pace to finish with a sophomore season that is on par with his rookie campaign. He will have made strides in a couple of key areas, too, turning the ball over less and shooting a higher percentage than in his first NBA campaign. Credit better shot selection and a commitment to becoming a well-rounded player for Mayo's"