Early returns on O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook
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The three top college hoopsters in L.A. last season were O.J. Mayo (USC), Russell Westbrook (UCLA) and Kevin Love (UCLA). That might not be your personal pecking order, but that’s the order they went during June’s NBA draft at picks three, four and five, respectively.
After the first week of play in the NBA’s exhibition season, Mayo (now with Memphis) Westbrook (Oklahoma City) and Love (Minnesota) have shown flashes of talent, and, yes, some rookie goofs.
Mayo is shooting two for 14 from the three-point range, but he’s only averaged two turnovers a game, despite playing an average of 32 minutes. Westbrook is shooting 33.3% from the field but is averaging 14.7 points. And Love, considered the best passser, by far, of the bunch, is averaging only one assist, but he is shooting 48.1% from the field.
Through three exhibition games, here are their stats.
Mayo 32 mins., 34.1 FG%, 2-14 3P, 42.9 FT%, 2.3 Reb., 1.7 Asst., 2.0 TO, 11.0 Points.
Westbrook 24 mins., 33.3 FG%, 0-2 3P, 72.7 FT%, 3.3 Reb., 2.3 Asst., 4.3 TO, 14.7 Points.
Love 25 mins., 48.1 FG%, 2-5 3P, 80.0 FT%, 6.3 Reb., 1.0 Asst., 2.3 TO, 10.7 Points.
-- Barry Stavro
