Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle can be one of the best quotes in the NBA. Monday night was one of those times when he delivered some truth that many NBA coaches would shy away from.
Clearly unhappy with the performance of shooting guard O.J. Mayo, who finished with two points and four turnovers on 1-of-6 shooting, Carlisle let loose when asked about Mayo's outing in a 103-97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Mayo's former team.
"He wasn't into it the first half," Carlisle said, according to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. "We showed him some film at half time where he was virtually just standing around defensively. We said, ‘Hey, we need you,' tried to get him going a little bit.
"He just had a bad night; I guess I will write it off to that. But I will tell you what, if I was playing against my former team, I'd come out ready to go at them. But that's just me."
Mayo's numbers have continued to decline in the scoring department as the season has gone on. The 25-year-old averaged nearly 21 a game in November and around 17 per outing in December and January. That average has dwindled down to 10 points per game during April.
Asked about Mayo's frequent bad showings down the stretch, Carlisle responded: "Well, the good news is there's only an opportunity for one more."
"I just want to see him show up and compete," Carlisle added. "He didn't compete tonight."
In July, Mayo signed a two-year contract with the Mavs, which included a player option that allows him to opt out at the end of the season.
Mayo reportedly exited the locker room before reporters were given an opportunity to get his comments.
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