O.J. Mayo question

[Sinistar6]

The reason that Mayo is not a solid number 3 is because people Do not know HOW GOOD HE IS GOING TO BE.

[Village Idiot]

-= original quote snipped =-



If you actually believe Mayo will be better in the NBA than both Rose and Beasley, then you certainly have the right user name.

I stand by my statement and explained why my reasoning is as it is.

As I've stated in another thread people don't realize what an outstanding freshman season Mayo. He put up amazing numbers, played extremely good defence on the opponents best guard and improved during the course of the season. He also shot an extremely high percentage from outside and quelled any doubts about his shooting range. All this despite being on a poorly coached team which clearly didn't have any idea about how to utilize his skills. Mayo also kept his nose clean and showed no signs of the questionable behavior he exhibited in high school.

I look forward to renewing this discussion in a few years time.

[moocow007]

Why is it he is projected 5th or so? Draft boards say he will have a individual career like Jordan/Kobe although he is not quite as athletic or as big as them so he probably won't be quite as good.

This must be the same board that said that Danny Ferry will be the next Larry Bird and then again said that Adam Morrison will be?

Just so we get a scope of what "individual creer like Jordan/Kobe" really implies...here are the stats (and stats only) that these two has compiled (career followed by best season):

Kobe Bryant

Career - 25ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.6apg
Best Season - 35.4ppg, 5.3rpg 4.6apg

Michael Jordan

Career - 30.1ppg, 6.2rpg, 5.3apg
Best Season - 37.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.6pg

IF (and that's about as big an IF as IF can be) Mayo was even close to be becoming one of these guys then you'd have your answer already (about why he's 5th on some boards). The answer? He's NOT the next Jordan or Kobe.

Now if he is sopposed to be that good or has a chance to be like that why is he not projected top 2 or at least 3?

Cause he's not near as good as people (that apparently have not watched him play or really can't tell the difference between Jordan and a hole in the wall) are saying he is.

I understand Rose because Rose could be the best pg in 2 years and is pretty can't miss, has the scoring to take over a game and the passing. Beasley I personally don't understand but I see how others think that with him being a big man but he isn't a big man Center or even a real pf. He is a natural sf and projected as such.

Beasley measured in at 6'9" and he's hardly a "natural SF". Beasley is a monster when it comes to offense being able to hit from 3 point range, post up, dribble drive and has the type of type-A personality that superstars have. That and he is also physically gifted.

Even if you take out those 2 guys out of the equation why is he not projected next?

Cause he's not near as good as people (that apparently have not watched him play or really can't tell the difference between Jordan and a hole in the wall) are saying he is.

Also nbadraft.net which I think is an incrdible draft site which I respect there comparison is Ben Gorden and it was Gorden/Marbury.

PS: Remember when I mentioned a draft board that compared Danny Ferry and then Adam Morrison (as if they didn't learn their lesson the first time around) to Larry Bird? You guessed it. Non. Incredible you say?

He is not an undersized pg who doesn't like passing or can't in Gorden's case because he is 6'4 or so 6'3 at the shortest which would mean he would be listed at 6'5 once he is drafted. That is plenty tall to play sg. If he were to play pg he would be more like Gilbert Arenas if anything although I think he is better then Gil.

Problem is Mayo's NOT an NBA PG. And thus will be generally perceived as 6'5" NBA SG which is not exactly great height though Mayo is plenty strong enough for the SG position.

I just don't see why he is projected after Lopez,Bayless and sometimes even Gorden.

Cause he's not near as good as people (that apparently have not watched him play or really can't tell the difference between Jordan and a hole in the wall) are saying he is.

Though I will admit that I think he's the 3rd best player in this draft but not in the same category as the 1st two.

Also since he is not to short to play sg what is all the negitive about not being able to play pg and shooting to much. To me he is a sg who can play pg who might be a little selfish but he is so young that could be worked on.

Dude...it's not about shooting too much as a PG, it's about not being a good enough dribbler to to be perceived as an NBA PG. He's a SG that might be able to play a little point but who probably is best suited to have the ball go through after someone else brings it up the floor (especially necessary if the opposing team traps or presses the guy bringing the ball up).

He is athletic, can shoot, can pass, can play 2 positions so why he is projected so low?

He's not that athletic (compared to some of the other guards in this draft) and isn't a PG. Those are 2 strikes that are hard to overcome. But he also does receive some negative criticism I think in part because he hasn't been able to live up to the unfair hype (aka "the Next Kobe").

Isn't this clearly going to be a slip/steal like the Bogut year when Paul and Williams slipped bigtime?

Both Paul and Williams are PG which naturally are harder positions to fill in the NBA. And I seriously doubt he'll fall at all. He's a talented player and probably has the best star (not superstar) potential of the rest of the pack (i.e. guys picks 3 on down) even if he's not the next Kobe or Jordan.

Please help all info will be appreciated.

Kobe and Jordan >>>>> Mayo.

[LPKingsFan]

Can't really add much to what moocow said above, but while some may call us "haters," I say you have all been drinking the kool aid for too long. He had a good freshman year, but not as spectacular as many had hoped for. His team underachieved (and now it's convenient to blame the coach and his teammates). But many people forget, he's 20 years old! He went to high school for six years, how much better is he really going to get? Oh yeah, and he's not 6-5 (seen him in person).

That said, he's definitely a unique talent. But I think everyone who expects him to be the next Wade or whatever is doing him a disservice.

[imgrindin247]

The good thing about Mayo is that he's very polished already as a player and he is basically a lock to at the very least be a solid player in this league. The problem with his game is he needs the ball in his hands to be effective and this does not always translate over well in the NBA where the talent is increased and you do not have free reign to jack up whatever shot you want. He's a good, but not elite athlete and some moves he gets away with in college will probably not work in the League. His turnovers are also a big concern as well, speaks to his decision making at times.

[moocow007]

Mayo doesn't get to the line very much, and that makes me question his "superstar" potential. Elite scorers need to the free throw line. I like his overall game but there's no way I consider him over Rose or Beasley.

A big part of the reason for that is my main concern with him which you saw throughout the season and especially in the tournament game against K-State. He just does not seem confident enough or able to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket consistently. Settles for jump shot after jump shot and you just aren't going to get to the foul line shooting jumpers from deep. And in the NBA that either inability or unwillingness (and you hope it's the latter) will be compounded by teams that will start throwing taller and at least just as athletic defenders at him on the perimeter to force him to put the ball on the floor. And dove tailing a bit towards the "Mayo is a PG" fantasy that still seems to be prevalent with some here is the extremely disconcerting tendency on Mayo's part to stop his dribble and look to dump the ball at the first general sign of a press. I just don't believe he can (or is willing) to break a press and if that's the case, he's most definitely not going to be able to handle much point in the NBA cause teams will start full court pressing him and trapping him at mid-court and he's going to be toast.

[lajes55]

I think Mayo is easily the 3rd best talent in the draft but a lot of teams would pass on him for Lopez/Bayless because of positional need.

[priest]

Can't really add much to what moocow said above, but while some may call us "haters," I say you have all been drinking the kool aid for too long. He had a good freshman year, but not as spectacular as many had hoped for. His team underachieved (and now it's convenient to blame the coach and his teammates). But many people forget, he's 20 years old! He went to high school for six years, how much better is he really going to get? Oh yeah, and he's not 6-5 (seen him in person).

That said, he's definitely a unique talent. But I think everyone who expects him to be the next Wade or whatever is doing him a disservice.

um 6 years lol no he wasnt in high school for 6 years thats how long he played varsity basketball and he is 6''5 he was measured out to be 6''5 at the fiba games and he was a inch taller then me whne i saw him at the abcd camp

[GoBobcats]

1/2 Rose Beasley
3 Mayo

There is no GM that is gonna pass on Mayo for anyone not named Rose and Beasley. I just don't see it.

I agree

[GSW2K4]

-= original quote snipped =-

He just does not seem confident enough or able to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket consistently. Settles for jump shot after jump shot and you just aren't going to get to the foul line shooting jumpers from deep. And in the NBA that either inability or unwillingness (and you hope it's the latter) will be compounded by teams that will start throwing taller and at least just as athletic defenders at him on the perimeter to force him to put the ball on the floor.

I definitely agree with your assessment of the problem he will face at the pro level but I think the cause of his problems is definitely not lack of confidence or ability.

I find that his problem is an overblown sense of what he's actually capable of, compounded by odd decision making, and it seemed like he came into college thinking stardom was inevitable. All correctable problems in the right situation with good coaching, but enough to make him a bit riskier than Bayless.

Mayo could even become a starting point guard. He has the ability and court sense, he just needs discipline...and it might not be with the team with drafts him if they don't have the staff or vets to do it. He'll be a solid scorer and highlight presence right away, but he has a lot to learn. In fact, he would be better off on a veteran team where he could sit behind some folks, without the expectation of being a star, and getting the seasoning he needs and slowly working his way into the rotation.

In any case, Chad Ford claims that since the season has ended and GMs have put aside the disappointment of his season, he has a firm hold on #3 on big boards.

[AnSweR07]

I've followed Mayo since he was a freshmen in high school and was very high on him at first. I think he's a case of one of those players who peaked very early and has kind of regressed since then. My expectations for him at USC has been somewhat of a letdown. I dont think he'll ever be a star in the nba but much more along the lines of a better Deshawn Stevenson.

[Cammo101]

I've followed Mayo since he was a freshmen in high school and was very high on him at first. I think he's a case of one of those players who peaked very early and has kind of regressed since then. My expectations for him at USC has been somewhat of a letdown. I dont think he'll ever be a star in the nba but much more along the lines of a better Deshawn Stevenson.

Agreed. Not that there is anything wrong with a rich man's Stevenson. Mayo will be very good, but I doubt he will be great.