O.J. Mayo was back to being his inefficient self on Wednesday — he had 18 points in Dallas’s win over Houston, but he did it on 3-of-14 shooting.
And Rick Carlisle let him hear about it at half, reports the Dallas Morning News (via SLAM).After Dallas’ 105-100 victory over Houston, Carlisle was asked Mayo’s all-around performance, despite 3-of-14 shooting, was a sign that Mayo is learning to contribute in multiple ways.
“It’ll be a bigger sign when I don’t have to scream at him at halftime about it,” Carlisle said….
“I thought in the first half, he took some shots that were ill-advised, when he is becoming a very good play-maker and a very good all-around basketball player. I’m sorry, it’s beneath me to watch a guy continue to veer off from the path that’s best for him and our team.”
I love that response — “it’s beneath me” to watch him take bad shots.
Did it work? Mayo was 3-of-9 shooting for 12 points in the first half, 0-of-5 shooting in the second half with six points (all from the free throw line). He also had fewer assists and rebounds in the second half.
Mayo has a $4.2 million player option for next season. He can test the market or return to the Mavericks for that price.