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*Photo via JSonline
According to a report from ESPN the NBA has dismissed and disqualified 28-year-old shooting guard O.J. Mayo for violating the terms of the anti-drug policy. Mayo has managed to remain in the league with a satisfactory 7.8 PPG average this past season but the league imposed suspension could spell disaster for the USC product who hasn’t made the SportsCenter highlights in a while.
So what do we know about his dismissal? Well, it’s safe to say he didn’t get ousted from the league for smoking a joint. There are three violations that could warrant a two-year suspension from the NBA. The first scenario would be testing positive for a list of hard drugs of abuse, including amphetamines, cocaine, LSD, as well as opiates like heroin, codeine and morphine. The second, being convicted or pleading guilty to the possession or distribution of a drug of abuse, or third, a third positive test for performance enhancing drugs.
The last player to receive this harsh penalty was Chris “Birdman” Andersen who was dismissed from the league in January 2006 while playing for the then New Orleans Hornets. Andersen was reinstated in March of 2008 and subsequently went on to win a championship with the Miami Heat in 2013.
So what does this mean for Mayo’s career? The likelihood is that this is the end of the road for Mayo. While the market in the league is hot for shooting guards, there are crops of great talent being acquired in the draft, from the D-League and abroad and his impact hasn’t been great enough that he would demand a second look two years down the line.
The league, his team and the Players Association aren’t able to say exactly what violation caused the ouster, but one thing is for sure, Mayo’s involuntary absence leaves a spot open for a young talent looking to gain a foothold with a pro team and the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to rebuild their team, they don’t have two years to wait for Mayo to get his life back together.