O.J. Mayo Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Fraley On Dirk, Beaubois, Crowder, Mayo

October 19th, 2012 at 8:49pm CST by Sean Highkin

On Friday morning, the Dallas Mavericks announced that Dirk Nowitzki had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery, which will sideline him for up to six weeks. Gerry Fraley of SportsDayDFW.com has posted several new articles outlining various aspects of this Mavs season, including how the team will move forward after Nowitzki's injury and various new members of the roster.

Fraley and Brad Townsend write that new signees Chris Kaman and Elton Brand, as well as rookie Bernard James, are among the players who will be expected to step up in Nowitzki's absence.
Rodrigue Beaubois sprained his right ankle on Oct. 6 in an exhibition game, but is making progress in his recovery and has begun practicing again, Fraley writes.
Fraley says that the Mavs are impressed with the play of second-round pick Jae Crowder.
New guards O.J. Mayo and Darren Collison are having trouble getting to the free-throw line, Fraley writes.

Pacific Notes: Crawford, Hill, Mayo

October 19th, 2012 at 7:46pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest notes from around the Pacific Division on Friday evening:

Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times talks to new Clippers signee Jamal Crawford, who reveals that he worked on his shot during the offseason for the first time this summer.
Grant Hill is excited about his first season with the Clippers, writes Mirin Fader of NBA.com.
Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic writes that the Suns showed interest in O.J. Mayo this summer, but Mayo wanted a starting job. He eventually signed with the Mavericks.

Mavericks Notes: Nowitzki, West, Mayo

October 16th, 2012 at 9:17am CST by Luke Adams

Dirk Nowitzki is doing everything he can to avoid undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome right knee, but with the knee swelling up again yesterday, his options are looking increasingly limited, as he told the media.

"I’m doing everything I can, conservatively, not to have surgery," Nowitzki said, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. "I guess that’s obvious, that I really don’t want it done now. If I want to do it, I would love to do it after the season, get through the season somehow. But the swelling came back three or four times now. That’s obviously not good news. If it’s going to keep swelling up on me, then that’s obviously not the way to go through an 82-game season and hopefully a long playoff run."

If Nowitzki and the team's doctors decide that surgery is the way to go, the procedure will likely take place next week, with healing expected to take between three and six weeks. Here are a few more Tuesday morning Mavericks links:

Adi Joseph of USA Today wonders how the Mavericks lineup would hold up with Nowitzki out, opining that the team should be okay if he just misses a few weeks.
Coach Rick Carlisle was impressed with the team's depth off the bench in its win over Houston on Monday night, writes Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The Mavs have suspended Delonte West for conduct detrimental to the team, Carlisle told the media, including Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. The suspension "stems at least in part" from an outburst in the Mavs' locker room following last night's game, according to MacMahon.
While Carlisle didn't specify a timetable for West's suspension, it's not expected to last long, says Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
Offseason signee O.J. Mayo made a solid impression last night after an uneasy start in the team's games in Europe, MacMahon writes at ESPN Dallas.

Western Notes: Thunder, Brewer, Sacre

October 14th, 2012 at 10:15pm CST by Ryan Raroque

You'll find tonight's miscellaneous links from the Western Conference here:

Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK highlights notable stories from the Thunder's pre-season, including the play of Perry Jones III, Cole Aldrich, and Eric Maynor. In a separate article, Mayberry collaborates with John Rohde to profile seven of the team's new additions brought in from the offseason.
Aaron J. Lopez takes a look at Nuggets forward Corey Brewer, who four years removed from ACL surgery believes that he is faster and can jump higher today.
Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times highlights Robert Sacre as the biggest surprise of the Lakers' exhibition season.
John Reid of NOLA.com examines the battle between Greivis Vasquez and Brian Roberts for minutes at the Hornets point guard rotation.
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune talks about the challenge the Timberwolves have faced in terms of trying to integrate all their new pieces amidst some nagging injuries.
Jeff McDonald of Spurs Nation writes that Patrick Mills could return to practice on Monday after sitting out two games with a sprained right ankle.
O.J. Mayo's hand is healing
properly after he suffered a laceration last week from a fall during the
Mavericks' visit to Barcelona, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram. Price also tweeted that coach
Rick Carlisle believes Mayo will be fine after a few more days. As for Dirk Nowitzki, Carlisle said that he has been doing well (Price via Twitter).

Southwest Rumors: Mayo, Nowitzki, Leonard

October 8th, 2012 at 12:51pm CST by Chuck Myron

Southwest Division teams haven't been shy about making cuts the past few days. The Spurs let go of Sherron Collins on Friday, and Sunday the Grizzlies waived D.J. Kennedy and Jarrid Famous. The Hornets will reportedly shorten their preseason bench as well, as they're set to waive Dominique Morrison. While the competition for space on the fringes of the roster gets more intense, more established players can plan far beyond October.

O.J. Mayo deemed his time with the Grizzlies "a little bit of a failure," according to Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype (Sulia link). "I felt like I could have done better (in Memphis)," Mayo said. "Starting and then moving to bench would be tough on everybody. I had started all my life, so that was something I had to adjust to. It's a new opportunity in Dallas, so I have to play hard and hold my ground."

Earlier updates:

Dirk Nowitzki, in Spain on the Mavs' European tour, said he was recruited by Spanish club FC Barcelona before he came over to play in the NBA, and didn't completely rule out playing in Europe after he completes the final two years of his contract with Dallas. He told reporters, including Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News, that he might favor the the shorter European schedule if his body no longer feels up to an 82-game season, but cautioned, "All that is a possibility, but as of now, I don’t actually see a chance.’’
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has spoken about his desire for Kawhi Leonard to spend his entire career with the team , and though the second-year player is a long way off from free agency, Leonard says he's open to remaining with the Spurs long-term, and cites Tim Duncan as his example to follow, writes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
Rockets coach Kevin McHale, on KBME radio Houston with Matt Thomas, said all five starting spots are up for grabs (transcription via Eric Schmoldt of Sports Radio Interviews).

Amico On Mavs, Clippers, Hornets, Bobcats

October 7th, 2012 at 5:51pm CST by Sean Highkin

Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio has posted some thoughts from the weekend's preseason action, including impressions of players that have changed teams this offseason:

Amico was impressed with the Dallas debuts of Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo, both of whom signed with the Mavs this summer.
Out of the several veterans the Clippers signed this offseason, Amico says that Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes made positive first impressions, while Lamar Odom looked considerably less impressive.
Amico writes that Hornets rookies Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers had good performances in their preseason debuts.
Second overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and third overall pick Bradley Beal had strong showings in the Bobcats' victory over the Wizards, Amico writes.
New Bobcats acquisitions Ben Gordon and Ramon Sessions also had strong performances off the bench, writes Amico.

Texas Rumors: Mayo, Brand, Collison, Spurs

September 14th, 2012 at 4:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

"The Texas Triangle" has long been the NBA's equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle, as teams have rarely gone undefeated on a three-game swing through Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. It might not be as much of a challenge this year, with the Rockets in flux, but if road-weary teams have to go to Houston on a back-to-back after facing the Spurs or Mavs, the Rockets could pick up a few extra wins this year. Here's the latest Lone Star news:

Chauncey Billups, recalling his growth under coach Rick Carlisle when they were together with the Pistons, persuaded O.J. Mayo to sign with the Mavs, Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes.
Elton Brand is entering the final year of his deal after the Mavs claimed him off amnesty waivers from the Sixers, but he told the Ben and Skin show on ESPNDallas 103.3 that he'd be willing to come off the bench, something he's done only 30 times in 860 career regular season games.
Mavs point guard Darren Collison, also heading into a contract year, spoke about his goals for the season with HoopsWorld, as part of a larger roundup by Bill Ingram.
The Spurs announced via press release that the Austin Toros, their D-League affiliate, have hired Taylor Jenkins as head coach.
Carmelo Anthony gives the Rockets front office credit for snaring Jeremy Lin away from the Knicks, as we noted earlier.

Southwest Notes: Spurs, Mavericks, Cuban, Davis

September 13th, 2012 at 10:17pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation interestingly points out that eleven NBA teams either have a coach, general manager, or both that have strong ties to the Spurs franchise. Former San Antonio assistant GM and current Thunder GM Sam Presti acknowledged t RC Buford, Gregg Popovich, and owner Pete Holt and the important role they played in his development as a front office executive, saying, "(They) have created an infrastructure that has afforded many of us tremendous learning and development opportunities…It is important to acknowledge that they generally have an even more profound impact on their people on a personal level than simply professionally.”

Here are other rumblings from the Southwest Division tonight…

Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW writes that both Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo are ready to take advantage of their new opportunity with the Mavericks. Mayo has already started working out with head coach Rick Carlisle for the last month.
Sefko also documented some thoughts from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who implied that it's refreshing to observe practices and finally see centers on the team, namely Kaman and Elton Brand, being able to knock down a mid-range jump shot. Cuban also commented on the Lakers, adding that he's not sure "if all their guys want to be there."
Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated relayed Maurice Evans' take on Hornets number one pick Anthony Davis, saying that the hype surrounding the former Kentucky star has been "over the top" (Sulia link).

Mavericks Notes: Najera, Finley, Mayo

August 29th, 2012 at 3:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Two former Mavericks players and fan favorites will be a part of the Mavs' front office this season, as the team announced last week. Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com examines the additions of Michael Finley and Eduardo Najera to the Mavs' staff, noting that owner Mark Cuban already feels like Finley has been a "great add" for the club. Let's round up a few more of today's Mavs-related links, as the team's season inches ever closer….

The Mavericks aren't quite sure what to expect from O.J. Mayo, Sneed writes at Mavs.com, but judging by Cuban's recent comments on ESPN Radio 103.3's Ben and Skin Show, the team believes Mayo can thrive in the team's open offense.
It's been a wild offseason in Dallas, but Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com doesn't expect the regular season to be any calmer, warning Mavs fans to expect trade rumors and speculation until the February trade deadline.
In another piece for ESPN Dallas, Caplan says the new-look Mavs should take the ball to the rim more often than last year's squad did.

Page On Mavs, Lakers, Bulls

August 18th, 2012 at 6:22pm CST by Sean Highkin

Derek Page of HoopsWorld conducted his weekly NBA chat Saturday, where he touched on several relevant topics, including the offseason moves and futures of the Mavs, Bulls, and Lakers, among other teams. Here are the highlights:

Page thinks it is unlikely that the Mavericks will keep O.J. Mayo beyond this season, because if he plays well, he will command a higher salary than the Mavs would like to give him.
He believes Antawn Jamison will be a better acquisition for the Lakers than Lamar Odom will be for the Clippers.
Page doesn't foresee any more moves for the Lakers, who appear to have a set roster.
It will be difficult for the Thunder to keep James Harden if he hits restricted free agency, writes Page.
Page is surprised Leandro Barbosa has not been signed yet, pointing to the 29-year-old as a possible value signing.
Page would like to see the present Bulls roster with a healthy Derrick Rose before weighing in on moves they should make.