Milwaukee Bucks Offseason Wishlist Part 1: Dump OJ Mayo
Milwaukee Bucks Offseason Wishlist Part 1: Dump OJ Mayo
In the Bucks Offseason Wishlist series, I'll go over what I want the front office to do.
In the Bucks Offseason Wishlist series, I'll go over what I want the front office to do.
Source: si.com
The Bucks Offseason Wishlist will be an ongoing series where I basically lay out my desires for the offseason. The first part of business is so obvious it hurts.
Dump OJ Mayo.
OJ Mayo has played 3 seasons in Milwaukee, from 2013-2016. He's an 8 year veteran in the NBA, and with the losses of Zaza Pachulia and Ersan, 2 other veterans, his season was important to a young Bucks team. However, he statistically let us down as well as fulfilled his tradition of getting injured. OJ Mayo has yet to play more than 75 games in a season in Milwaukee.
Statistically Mayo declined sharply this year. In his 41 games (24 of which he started), Juice averaged just 7.8 PPG, almost 4.0 PPG down from last season. He averaged 2.9 APG and 2.6 RPG. His percentages also hit a steep decline. This season he shot 37.1% from the field, a 5.1% decrease from last season. His 3 point percentage was worse as it was 32.1%, a 5.6% decrease from last year.
In my opinion it was a necessity that OJ Mayo have a good year to stay on this team. I would have greatly accepted a 11.0 PPG season. My biggest issue is not only the decline in scoring, but the decline in percentages. The Bucks desperately need shooting. Giannis Anteokounmpo has no jump shot, and that can't be denied no matter how much kool aid you sip. The only shooters on the Bucks are Khris Middleton and sometimes Jerryd Bayless and Rashad Vaughn. In a league dominated by the greatest 3 point shooter of this era, the Bucks lackluster shooting will make it nearly impossible for them to return to the playoffs.
OJ Mayo used to be a fairly reliable shooter, but it's clear that those days are over. Some may call it an overreaction to a shortened season, but that just raises the issue of Juice's health. The most games he's played in Milwaukee is 71 in the 2014-15 season. He played 52 in the 2013-14 season, and only 41 games this season. If one of the few "shooters" (we can't call him that anymore with these percentages) we have can barely play half a season, we have a problem.
I hate to say it because I liked Juice. I thought he could be great here in Milwaukee, but it's clear this won't work out. He's declined in nearly every aspect of his game, and I fear as he gets older it will only continue.
The choice is clear. The choice was clear when OJ Mayo tripped on the stairs and was sat for the season. The only reason we didn't get rid of him earlier is because no one wants an injured, declining guard. In the offseason, whether it be through a release or trade, OJ Mayo has to go.
Source: si.com
The Bucks Offseason Wishlist will be an ongoing series where I basically lay out my desires for the offseason. The first part of business is so obvious it hurts.
Dump OJ Mayo.
OJ Mayo has played 3 seasons in Milwaukee, from 2013-2016. He's an 8 year veteran in the NBA, and with the losses of Zaza Pachulia and Ersan, 2 other veterans, his season was important to a young Bucks team. However, he statistically let us down as well as fulfilled his tradition of getting injured. OJ Mayo has yet to play more than 75 games in a season in Milwaukee.
Statistically Mayo declined sharply this year. In his 41 games (24 of which he started), Juice averaged just 7.8 PPG, almost 4.0 PPG down from last season. He averaged 2.9 APG and 2.6 RPG. His percentages also hit a steep decline. This season he shot 37.1% from the field, a 5.1% decrease from last season. His 3 point percentage was worse as it was 32.1%, a 5.6% decrease from last year.
In my opinion it was a necessity that OJ Mayo have a good year to stay on this team. I would have greatly accepted a 11.0 PPG season. My biggest issue is not only the decline in scoring, but the decline in percentages. The Bucks desperately need shooting. Giannis Anteokounmpo has no jump shot, and that can't be denied no matter how much kool aid you sip. The only shooters on the Bucks are Khris Middleton and sometimes Jerryd Bayless and Rashad Vaughn. In a league dominated by the greatest 3 point shooter of this era, the Bucks lackluster shooting will make it nearly impossible for them to return to the playoffs.
OJ Mayo used to be a fairly reliable shooter, but it's clear that those days are over. Some may call it an overreaction to a shortened season, but that just raises the issue of Juice's health. The most games he's played in Milwaukee is 71 in the 2014-15 season. He played 52 in the 2013-14 season, and only 41 games this season. If one of the few "shooters" (we can't call him that anymore with these percentages) we have can barely play half a season, we have a problem.
I hate to say it because I liked Juice. I thought he could be great here in Milwaukee, but it's clear this won't work out. He's declined in nearly every aspect of his game, and I fear as he gets older it will only continue.
The choice is clear. The choice was clear when OJ Mayo tripped on the stairs and was sat for the season. The only reason we didn't get rid of him earlier is because no one wants an injured, declining guard. In the offseason, whether it be through a release or trade, OJ Mayo has to go.