While NBA teams are battling it out in the Playoffs, the off season for O.J. Mayo and the rest of the Memphis Grizzles has begun. Mayo, who is known to be a hard worker in the off-season, will no doubt be improving on all facets of his game. He finished his 2nd year (17.5 points per game, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assist) with similar stats to his rookie year but did it playing with more talented players and a better team.

The Grizzlies entered the season as the youngest and least experienced team in the league and a disastrous start of the season (1-8) and selfishness of Allen Iverson made it seem like it was going to be a long year. But after Iverson was released, the Grizzlies started playing better, including a hot December and January, to finish the season 40-42, 16 games better than last season, including a franchise record, 11 straight home wins.

Despite the improvement and having a lot to look forward to, Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley wasn’t happy with the lack of fan support at home. There were often a lot of empty seats in FedExForum, which was a bit of a surprise since the Memphis Grizzlies had one of the cheapest basketball tickets per game, at $5 each.

Next season, the Grizzles have under contract O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Hasheem Thabeet, Hamed Haddadi, Darrell Arthur, DeMarre Carroll, and Sam Young. They will also have 3 first round draft picks in the NBA draft, including a lottery pick. The top priority will be resigning Rudy Gay and Ronnie Brewer, who will be restricted free agents. Head coach Lionel Hollins just signed a three-year contract extension.

If they are able to resign Rudy and their core players improve, the Grizzlies figure to have a great shot at making the Playoffs next season.



1. How will Mayo adjust to having to handle more point guard responsibilities?
2. Mayo is known for being a hard worker in practice while AI is known for his practice rants
3. Iverson said in his press conference that he was on a mission but does that mean he is playing for himself or will he incorporate the team?
4. Was AI brought in just to sell tickets?
5. Iverson has publicly stated in the past his desire to start. Would he take a bench role to allow Mike Conley to grow?

How will the Memphis Grizzlies acquisition of Zach Randolph affect O.J. Mayo this year? Z-Bo is a career 20 points / 10 rebound player but needs the ball to be productive. Mayo will likely get less shots but players will not be able to focus on him as much. Was this a good or bad move by the Grizzlies? Will we see such highlights as below from Zach?

With the NBA Draft lottery order set for Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies have a chance to add another top talent to their young team. Who would you like to see share the court with O.J. Mayo and help the Grizzlies make the Playoffs next year?

Some of the top prospects include:

• Blake Griffin
• Ricky Rubio
• Hasheem Thabeet
• Jordan Hill
• James Harden
• DeMar DeRozan
• Brandon Jennings
• Stephen Curry
• Chase Budinger

11/5: 28 points (10-19; 6-10 3 pt)
11/7: 20 points (8-19; 1-4 3 pt), 9 rebounds and 4 assists
11/9: 31 points (11-21; 4-5 3 pt) and 8 boards
11/10: 33 points (12/23; 3-8 3 pt)
11/14: 25 points (9-21; 1-6 3 pt.)
11/22: 23 points (6-17; 1-5 3 pt) and 4 rebounds
11/24: 26 points (10-21; 1-4 3 pt) and 4 rebounds
11/26: 22 points (10-15) and 2 assists
11/28: 32 points (13-20; 2-3 3 pt) and 4 assists
11/29: 30 points (11-22; 3-6 3 pt) and 7 rebounds

As of today he has had 7 consecutive 20+ point performances. In addition he has had 4 30+ point performances and has hit double figures in all 17 games this season.

NBA Draft sites and so-called draft experts have predicted O.J. Mayo to go anywhere from the 3rd to 7th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Which team would O.J. Mayo fit in best with? Lets take a look at some of the possible teams that could be drafting while Mayo sits in the draft room waiting for his name to be called:

Miami Heat
A backcourt of Dwayne Wade and O.J. Mayo would be spectacular.

Seattle (Oklahoma?) Sonics
The team is young and already has a core group of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Adding Mayo to the mix would make them one of the most entertaining teams to watch on League Pass.

Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves can use any help they can get. Mayo would be able to come in and produce immediately but the Wolves have quite a few young guards already on their team.

New York Knicks
With Stephon Marbury’s future in New York in doubt, Mayo would fit perfectly in the Big Apple. It wouldn’t hurt his endorsements either.

Los Angeles Clippers
Corey Maggette is likely to opt for free agency and the health of Shaun Livingston is uncertain. Mayo can stay in Los Angeles and have battles with that “other” player in LA.

From Dan Webber of the Press Enterprise:

Mayo’s head-to-head confrontations with top freshman guards Derrick Rose of Memphis, Jerryd Bayless of Arizona and James Harden of Arizona State, all considered one-and-done phenoms. Mayo has outscored the three 116-77 in five games, with 20 assists to 12, and 12 turnovers to their 23.

Heard during the UCLA vs USC game:

“O.J. Mayo is a good player. He is not a great player.”

Agree or disagree?