OJ Mayo

**cyismydog** · 03-20-2008, 09:26 AM

Am I the only one who watched OJ at the beginning of the year and thought he was extremely overrated and a ballhog? After watching two USC games at the beginning of the year, I came away terribly unimpressed.
However, I have watched USC's last three games, and I have been extremely impressed with him. He is a lot less selfish, a much better shooter, and a great defender/slasher/shooter. I don't know if it was Floyd's coaching or what, but he has improved over the course of this year as much as any player in the country.

**brianhos** · 03-20-2008, 09:27 AM

He is no Beasley...

**cloneu** · 03-20-2008, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Am I the only one who watched OJ at the beginning of the year and thought he was extremely overrated and a ballhog? After watching two USC games at the beginning of the year, I came away terribly unimpressed.
However, I have watched USC's last three games, and I have been extremely impressed with him. He is a lot less selfish, a much better shooter, and a great defender/slasher/shooter. I don't know if it was Floyd's coaching or what, but he has improved over the course of this year as much as any player in the country.

I think he is a good example of the rule not allowing players to go straight to the NBA. He would be getting creamed in the NBA this year and wouldn't have the chance to improve his game unless they shipped him to D-League.

**isuno1fan** · 03-20-2008, 09:31 AM

I don't see him being a "star" in the NBA. I'm surprised he had as much hype as he did in HS. Beasley is much, MUCH better.

Mayo is a damn good guard, but if he's 1 and done at USC, he will have some challenges in the NBA. If he stays at USC another couple years, I think that will serve him well.

**cyclonekj** · 03-20-2008, 12:16 PM

OJ Mayo: great name for an athlete, lousy name for a cocktail.

**throwittoblythe** · 03-20-2008, 12:20 PM

I'm in the same boat. I think someone posted a video last year of him pushing a ref after he had a foul called against him in a HS game. I said then that I thought he'd get suspended before the season was over for losing his temper. However, he has proved me wrong. Although there was that whole Carmelo & the tickets thing...

**tidbit** · 03-20-2008, 12:27 PM

I agree Mayo looked bad the first few times I watched, but has inproved a lot under Tim's leadership!! He would be well served to spend another year at USC. With all the other guys coming out this year and another year of improvement, he would be a much better pick next year!!!

**cybsball20** · 03-20-2008, 12:28 PM

The talk towards the middle of the year was that he was coming back. BUT, he has been so good the last few weeks I think it might be hard for him not to go.

**c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s** · 03-20-2008, 12:32 PM

Ever read about how he ended up at USC? Pretty amazing stuff.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/21/sp...in&oref=slogin

**CycloneWarrior** · 03-20-2008, 12:45 PM

mayo sounds like a ******* in that article

**throwittoblythe** · 03-20-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonedefender

mayo sounds like a ******* in that article

What he said ^^^^

"Don't call him, he'll call you." And we wonder why athletes think so highly of themselves! It doesn't help when you feed the beast. But the coach is handcuffed in that situation because if he wants to keep his job he needs players and if he wants the #1 player in the country, he has to play by O.J.'s rules.