Grizzlies-Lakers: Monday Night Test for OJ Mayo

Tonight marks a significant night in the career of OJ Mayo.  It is the first time he will face one of his measuring sticks—Kobe Bryant.  Coming off his worst game as an NBA player, Mayo and the Grizzlies play host to the defending Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers.  This game will have a bunch of subplots.  The return of Pau Gasol to Memphis as a visiting player.  The first time Pau and his younger brother face off as opponents in the NBA.  The suddenly-slumping Lakers against the annually-slumping Grizzlies.  However, the most exciting thing to look for is how Mayo fares against Bryant. This summer they, faced off against each other while Mayo and the young guns were helping the 2008 Redeem Team  prepare for the Beijing Olympics.  It seems that initially Kobe was getting the best of Mayo, but eventually Mayo began to adjust. “Kobe completely shut him down in the beginning,” said U.S. managing director Jerry ... (link)