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OKC Thunder 30 for 30, Part 30 via T.I. fan request – O.J. Mayo

By Lawrence George

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 18: O.J. Mayo #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks prepares to shoot a free throw against the Golden State Warriors on December 18, 2015 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 18: O.J. Mayo #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks prepares to shoot a free throw against the Golden State Warriors on December 18, 2015 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder 30 for 30 by Request: Oj Mayo (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

*All statistics come from various seasons since Mayo’s suspension was enforced in 2016.

3-point shooting

Throughout his career, Mayo has been a solid shooter from range converting on 37.3 percent on 4.2 attempts per game. Despite tapering off in his last two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks (35.7 percent and 32.1 percent in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively), Mayo has largely made his living off the long ball.

Fans have to go back some time to see Mayo’s best 3-point shooting performance. The 30 year-old has made seven 3-pointers on two occasions with his most recent coming in a Bucks uniform in 2013-14.

In the Bucks 130-110 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Mayo posted 25 points on 8-14 shooting, 7-9 from three, 2-2 free throws in 35 minutes.

The other came when Mayo was playing for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2012-13 season. In the Mavs 126-99 win over the Charlotte Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets), Mayo posted 30 points (10-17 shooting, 7-10 from three, 3-3 free throws), 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 32 minutes.

When engaged, Mayo is a huge threat from range and can make buckets in a hurry. These performances must be taken with a grain of salt however, as they came as Mayo was breaking into his prime.

Playmaking and scoring

Despite his reputation as a chucker, Mayo is a decent ball handler who has the capacity to make plays for his team mates. While 2.9 assists isn’t overly impressive, defenses still have to account for his ball handling ability as well as his propensity to make shots.

Mayo’s best game as a playmaker came in Dallas’ 112-108 win over the Houston Rockets. Mayo put on his most rounded performance of his career, posting 13 points (5-10 shooting, 3-4 from three), 6 rebounds and 12 assists in 33 minutes.

While making plays for others isn’t exactly Mayo’s M-O, he is a capable passer. If Mayo’s mentality has changed, he could be a very good weapon off the bench.

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