Xavier Henry starts over OJ Mayo

[Dash]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — O.J. Mayo was dropped from the Memphis Grizzlies' starting lineup against Detroit on Wednesday night, the second straight game the guard has opened on the bench.

 

After starting his first 177 games in the NBA, Mayo was held out of the starting lineup Saturday night in the Grizzlies' victory over the Miami Heat because he was late for the team's shootaround that day.

 

Rookie guard Xavier Henry started in Mayo's place again against Detroit.

 

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said he was looking for more offensive punch from his second unit.

 

"I've been thinking about it since before training camp. 'How we could make our team better? And how we could balance our lineup?' Hollins said. "I just felt like we weren't getting anybody on the bench who was a true, pure scorer."

 

Mayo, averaging 13.6 points, was 2 for 18 from the field in the last two games.

 

"I'm not happy," Mayo said, "but at the same time, if this is what's best for the team, I'm all for it. If it betters our team situation, I've got to deal with it."

 

Hollins said the disciplinary action involving Mayo on Saturday and the shooting slump were factors in the situation because he was able to see how the change worked Saturday.

 

The coach acknowledged that some would see the switch as a demotion for Mayo.

 

"Unfortunately, a lot of people will think that," Hollins said. "But to be perfectly honest, it's not the case. It's always difficult when you make these types of decisions because everybody is reading into it more than what they should."

 

Henry, a rookie from Kansas, is averaging 5.3 points. He was 1 of 9 from the field and scored six points in 26 minutes against the Heat.

 

"It was just out of nowhere," Henry said. "At first I was (surprised), then I just eased into it."

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-11-24-975641919_x.htm

 

This move makes absolutely no sense especially when you take into account that Henry is performing so much worse than Mayo right now. Is Hollins pulling this stunt to get a point across Mayo or is he trying to develop him into a sixth man?

[La Bomba]

I think Hollins is trying to get a point across. I like this move. Mayo needs to wake up.

[Newman]

I think Hollins is trying to get a point across. I like this move. Mayo needs to wake up.

 

Definitely. Mayo has been awful recently and the Grizzlies definitely expect more out of a talented player like him.

[The Lone Granger]

I like the move for the Grizz. They really need Mayo to step up and be a team leader, and trust me, this isn't even close to a permanent move. I understand why Hollins is doing this, and I think he's trying to prove a point to Mayo that it's time for him to step up in Memphis. No problems at all with this move.

[Sun Tzu]

Definitely a good move to help motivate OJ Mayo to get back on track. I just hope OJ does get motivated and this strategy works.

[The Lone Granger]

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has decided to bring young guard O.J. Mayo off the bench.

 

Hollins acknowledged that bringing Mayo off the bench was something that Memphis discussed back in September.

 

"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."

 

Mayo came off the bench against the Pistons on Wednesday night and he'll do the same on Friday against the Warriors.

 

Grizzlies rookie Xavier Henry is the new starter at shooting guard.

 

"You just have to be patient and stay enthused," Mayo said. "I just want to help my team in any way possible."

 

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/70271/20101126/mayo_fine_with_coming_off_bench/

 

It has been assumed that O.J. Mayo is on the trading block now that the Grizzlies are bringing him off the bench, but Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that isn't the case.

 

Memphis made Mayo available to Golden State in a deal that would have included Monta Ellis back in February.

 

Of course, the Grizzlies could change their stance during the three months leading up to this season's trade deadline.

 

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/70277/20101127/mayo_isnt_on_trade_block/

 

Mayo is a pro, he knows what he did was wrong, and he's understanding that he has to be punished because of it. It's great that he's taking the mentality that he still has to help his team no matter what, and that's what becoming a team leader is all about right there. As for speculations about him being on the trading block...there is absolutely no way that he gets traded. The main reason for sitting him down in the first place, was for him to realize what being a team leader meant, so he could come back and be that star that they need him to be. He's going to be a Memphis Grizzlies player for a long time.

 

Thoughts?

[*Swish*]

If he wants to be a star, he should just join the Raptors We'd welcome him with open arms. Even though I love my Raptors players, I wouldn't mind giving up Weems and other fillers for OJ. But I absolutely agree with you. He's not surprising at all this season and I think it's time for a change