O.J. Mayo appreciation thread...

[Crumpler83]

I heard a lot of talk before this year's draft about O.J. and it seemed there were two schools of thought about his NBA prospects.

One one hand you had people raving about him and saying he was the best player in the draft and on the other hand there seemed to be a lot of skepticism about whether his game would translate into a successful pro career. Y'know the whole dominated at collegiate level but just couldn't go on and match it with the big boys scenario.

Well it's fair to say that the second school of thought has been safely put to rest now. 19.8 ppg, shooting 45% from the field and 41% from downtown (very good percentages for a rookie imo, especially the 3 point percentage), 3.0 apg and 1.10 spg.

More impressive is just watching him play. He plays good defense for a rookie and has such a smooth shooting stroke...in fact everything he does out there looks pretty damn smooth.

So, I've been converted. I didn't think he would be this good this fast. Anyone else like what O.J. has been doing?

 

[Messenger]

I dread the idea there is an appreciation thread for this guy.

He and Rudy Gay are the Memphis offense so he gets a lot of plays run for him. He is making a spectacular shooting %, although when he has a bad night, he has a real stinker. And Memphis are still no good.

He's a player, no doubt. There are just two questions:

1. How much can he improve
2. Can Memphis keep him

 

[mdc]

One one hand you had people raving about him and saying he was the best player in the draft and on the other hand there seemed to be a lot of skepticism about whether his game would translate into a successful pro career. Y'know the whole dominated at collegiate level but just couldn't go on and match it with the big boys scenario.

Where are you getting this? I don't know anyone who thought he would be the best player in the draft, nor does the second bit make any sense since, you know, he didn't dominate at collegiate level.

The question about him was always going to be which position he's going to play, and whether he was athletic enough.

With regards to position, he was maintaining he was a 1 before the draft, and it's now clear he's a 2. With regards to athleticism, it's clear the concerns were justified...he's average at best athletically.

Nonetheless, he's a very smooth player, who can create his own shot and really does play some decent D for a rook.

He's going to be a very good player for a long time, but still doesn't have the upside of a Rose or a Beasley. Potentially he's going to be very similar to Ray Ray as a scorer, although he's not as good a shooter.

 

[Crumpler83]

Where are you getting this? I don't know anyone who thought he would be the best player in the draft, nor does the second bit make any sense since, you know, he didn't dominate at collegiate level.

I got that sort of info from various sources, reading up on NBA draft boards and other sites etc. etc.

There were quite a lot of people (most of them were pundits but a few "experts" said the same thing) who were saying that O.J. was the best talent coming out in the draft.

And while he didn't "dominate" at college per se', it was quite clear he was a special talent. College stats are 20.7 ppg, 3.3 apg, 4.5 rpg and 1.5 spg...not really dominant I guess but still pretty damn good.

Anyway I've just been very impressed with the kid so I felt compelled to make this thread. I was one of the doubters when he came out of college and am happy to be proven wrong.

 

[sblack]

[YOUTUBE]j1BVnfgodcM[/YOUTUBE]

No. 5. Reeks of smoothness.

No. 1 not so much...but #5

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

[youtube]j1BVnfgodcM[/youtube]

No. 5. Reeks of smoothness.

No. 1 not so much...but #5

Geez Brucey B got pwned there.

Loved how old mate called Charlotte the Hornets. Get with the times man.

 

[Goedy]

There are alot of other NBA Players that deserve threads about them before Mayo

 

[sblack]

Geez Brucey B got pwned there.

Loved how old mate called Charlotte the Hornets. Get with the times man.

Also love Foye on Nelson. If you listen carefully, you can hear his ankles break

 

[walkers a legend]

Love O.J so far.

I had a bet with my cousin he would get ROY (my cousin has his $$ on Rose)

 

[Crumpler83]

There are alot of other NBA Players that deserve threads about them before Mayo

Well be my guest and go ahead and start them then

Jeezus christ some people in this place have nothing better to do than whine about everything.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Has anyone else gotten into the habit of saying I'll have a chicken and salad sandwich with a bit of OJ on it? Of course this only works when orange juice is a far, far away.

 

[jimmyn13]

The issue with OJ was always going to be his attitude wasn't it? He had a chance of turning out to be a bit of a headcase but so far seems ok.