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O.J. Mayo sat out the Dallas Mavericks' intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night because of a cut on his shooting hand sustained in a freak accident during the team's trip to Europe. "He slipped on some steps and fell down and actually took a big chunk of skin off of his hand," coach Rick Carlisle said on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. "Ninety- eight out of a hundred NBA players wouldn't have played in the Barcelona game, but he wanted to play. He struggled shooting the ball, and I think that was the reason." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Injuries 

In the games against Alba Berlin and FC Barcelona Regal, Mayo contributed a total of nine points, grabbed five rebounds, handed out six assists, had four steals, committed four turnovers and was just 2-of-13 from the field in 50 minutes. That includes scoring only one point on 0-of-7 shooting in 24 minutes in last Tuesday's contest against FC Barcelona Regal. “He’ll be all right,’’ forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “He’s been working since July when I was here, running in the gym, shooting, so he put in a lot of work in the summer and has just got to put it together with the new teammates. “I’m not worried about him. He’s a hard worker.’’ Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Dirk Nowitzki 

OJ Mayo calls time in Memphis a failure. Mavs guard OJ Mayo talked with the media this morning in Barcelona, where Dallas plays against Barça on Tuesday. When asked by HoopsHype about his last couple of seasons with the Grizzlies, he had this to say: Sulia

Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, OJ Mayo 

"I was disappointed because in my life I had always exceeded expectations. But (in Memphis), it was a little bit of a failure. I have to stay focused every night, practice hard, do extra work and stay prepared so that it won't happen again. "I felt like I could have done better (in Memphis). Starting and then moving to bench would be tough on everybody. I had started all my life, so that was something I had to adjust to. It's a new opportunity in Dallas, so I have to play hard and hold my ground." Sulia

Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, OJ Mayo 

The Elton Brand-Chris Kaman pairing isn’t the only Mavericks newcomer duo with L.A. roots that’s reuniting. Darren Collison and O.J. Mayo played for college rivals UCLA and USC, respectively, but they’ve shared a backcourt in a bunch of summer pickup games. They believe that informal experience will be a factor in forming instant chemistry now that they’re the Mavs’ starting guards. “It’s going to help make it a lot easier,” Mayo said. “Competing against Darren, I understand he’s a great player and a heck of a competitor. When we play in the summertime at UCLA, we’re actually on the same team a lot of time just because we’re familiar with each other and feel like that can give us an edge in pickup games.” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Elton Brand, Darren Collison, Chris Kaman 

Said owner Mark Cuban on Mayo: “I think he can be a star and I think O.J. knows that this is his make-or-break, who-am-I-really-going-to-be-in-this-league year. And Coach [Rick Carlisle] is going to give him that opportunity. We’ll see what happens.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Mark Cuban 

The plan to have Jason Kidd help recruit Deron Williams to Dallas didn’t quite work out for the Mavs. But the Mavs did get an assist from an old point guard during the free-agency process. It just wasn’t one that’s ever worn a Mavs uniform. O.J. Mayo reached out to Chauncey Billups, one of his favorite players in the league, while researching potential destinations this summer. Billups strongly recommended that Mayo play for Rick Carlisle, who played a significant role in Billups achieving his potential. “He said (Carlisle) is a great coach for me to help expand my game,” Mayo said. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Chauncey Billups 

“You know, everybody’s been trying to put me in the category of Jason Kidd, but we all know that’s tough to be,” the recently-turned 25-year-old Collison admitted. “I thought he was a great player for this organization, and really for me, I just want to be myself. I was brought here for a reason, to play my game. I mean, some of the things that I want to bring is up-tempo and energy, defense, whatever I can do to help out these guys. I’m just excited to be here, but I just want to play my game.” “Well, JET played a big part for this organization during the championship run, made a lot of great plays, and I’m looking to make those same plays,” the 24-year-old Mayo added. “You know, it’s gonna be fun. It’s definitely a new opportunity for all of us, and this organization is always about winning, and that’s what I’m all about. And if I can take anything from JET, I think the winning aspect of it all is the most important thing.” NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo 

Why did you sign with the Dallas Mavericks? OJ Mayo: “I felt it was the best situation for me. They have a good team, they have a great player in Dirk Nowitzki , they have a terrific owner with Mark Cuban and Coach Carlisle is unbelievable, I watched him since he coached in Indiana. After seeing Jason Kidd and Jason Terry go their separate ways, I felt it was a good opportunity for me, a young guard, to go and compete.” Sports Radio Interviews

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo 

Why have your stats dropped over the past few seasons? OJ Mayo: “The dynamics of our team had to change. It’s hard to play with five scorers on the floor. There’s not enough basketball to go around. Our bench was struggling at the time so Coach Hollins thought it was best if I move to the bench and help the scoring load off the bench. To be more aggressive offensively we moved Tony Allen into the two guard position as a defender to take some of the pressure off Rudy [Gay] and Mike [Conley] on the defensive end. At the end of the day I wasn’t happy with the change because you want to start, it’s part of your competitive nature. It happened to work and Coach Hollins wants to win as bad as the players so I didn’t take it as a personal threat or anything. It was best for the team and it meant less minutes so my stats went down.” Sports Radio Interviews

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo 

Why did you sign with the Dallas Mavericks? OJ Mayo: “I felt it was the best situation for me. They have a good team, they have a great player in Dirk Nowitzki , they have a terrific owner with Mark Cuban and Coach Carlisle is unbelievable, I watched him since he coached in Indiana. After seeing Jason Kidd and Jason Terry go their separate ways, I felt it was a good opportunity for me, a young guard, to go and compete.” Sports Radio Interviews

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban 

The Dallas Mavericks have announced the signing of O.J. Mayo three days after the free agent shooting guard posted a message on his Twitter account that he was joining the team. In a statement released Thursday the Mavericks said they weren't disclosing the terms of the deal with the 6-foot-4, 210-pound West Virginian. CBSSports.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, OJ Mayo 

Alex Kennedy: The Dallas Mavericks have officially signed O.J. Mayo, according to press release. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo 

O.J. Mayo moments ago signed what he confirmed was a 2-year contract with the Mavericks with a player option for the second year. “I felt that with Kidd and Terry leaving, it’s an opportunity to go play with a team that’s definitely a contender right away,” said Mayo, 24. “A great player like Dirk, after the exit last year, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t too happy, so I know he’s going to come back this year fired up, as well as the rest of the guys.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo 

Dwain Price: O.J. Mayo just signed his two-year contract with the #Mavs. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, OJ Mayo 

The Mavericks' plan is for their latest acquisition, O.J. Mayo, is to start him at shooting guard. "That’s a Rick (Carlisle) decision, but that’s the way it’s penciled in, and he can swing back and forth between (point guard) and (shooting guard)," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said during Tuesday's appearance on the "Ben & Skin Show." "Look, O.J. will do whatever it takes to win and he proved that in Memphis, whether it’s starting or coming off the bench." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, OJ Mayo, Donnie Nelson, Rick Carlisle 

Jeff Caplan: Mayo deal is 2 years with second being a player option. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, OJ Mayo 

Jeff Caplan: If Mayo has big year he can opt out and jump back in the market. If not, looks like Mavs get a 2nd year at a bargain. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, OJ Mayo 

OJ Mayo: I will be signing with dallas! #Mavsnation Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, OJ Mayo 

Mark Cuban: @OJ_Mayo Welcome to the family OJ. We are fired up !! MFFL Mavs/Mayo Fan For Life ! Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, OJ Mayo, Mark Cuban, Owners