DALLAS -– Rick Carlisle isn’t worried if O.J. Mayo will be able to fill the scoring load left vacated when the Dallas Mavericks lost Jason Terry earlier this summer to the Boston Celtics via free agency.
In 31.7 minutes per game last year for the Mavs, Terry averaged 15.1 points and shot 43 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range. In 26.8 minutes per game last year for the Memphis Grizzlies, Mayo averaged 12.6 points and shot 40.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point territory.
Carlisle – the Mavs’ coach – knows Mayo has the ability to put the ball in the hole.
“O.J. is going to score,’’ Carlisle said during a Monday afternoon press conference at American
Airlines Center. “His game is not going to look exactly like Jet’s.
“He’ll be able to do some of the things Jet did and he’ll be able to do some things differently that Jet didn’t do. Above all we’re going to need him to be a consistent defender.’’
Owner Mark Cuban also believes Mayo will be able to supply the Mavs the scoring punch they got from Terry.
“I think (Mayo) can be a star,’’ Cuban said. “I think O.J. know that this is his next break as far as who he is really going to be in this league, and coach will give him the opportunity and we’ll see what happens.’’
-- Dwain Price
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