O.J Mayo:Good Luck,No Really You'll Need It.

This.Should.Be.Interesting.By all accounts O.J Mayo has everything and nothing to prove.The second most drooled over high school prospect of all-time.He showed a game to be feared in 8th grade and has been followed closely and scrutinized every step of the way ever since.So much so,that almost everyone wanted a piece of him or to take pieces from him as one ref who either has a very high centre of gravity or vertigo showed in one infamous game.He should be praised as one of the great rising talents that the game has,people should be eager to see what he can do at USC.But,it seems that people are looking and hoping for his downfall.Maybe they're not thrilled with his non phone number giving out attitude.Maybe its the fact that he believes that he can create a college hoops dynasty all on his lonesome.If this be the case.Why?Isn't this what people love in star athletes,the arrogant confidence,the sense of theater and drama that follows them.This confused me for some time but I think I've come up with some sort of reasonable explainaition as to why he(or possibly will be) is hated so widely.

I've come up with two words:Kobe and Bryant.People rooted for this type of ego-maniacle star athlete before Kobe came around (See Jordan,Michael) but Kobe still has his staunch supporters and a lot of them.But there is no middle ground with Kobe,you love him or hate him.But the people who hate him still know that he's the best in the game.People over time however seem to tire of this type athlete.If you look at Jordan and Kobe's careers in terms controversies,it looks pretty even.But,when you look in terms of fan support,popularity and just the straight adoration that MJ receives and put it next to Kobe's.It's Shaq vs. Ping Ping and not in a funny way.Has Kobe done all that wrong?People seem to dislike Kobe's pretentious marketing and self promotion but love LeBron and MJ for it.Maybe the old saying:"When you steal from one person,you're a thief,but,when you steal from many its research".People seem to consider Kobe a thief.This is why I fear for O.J.What will people think of the person who steals(in persona) from the thief?In fairness,O.J can't make as many mistakes as Kobe,I mean calling himself "Black Mamba" wasn't a great touch,lets hope O.J doesn't start calling himself "Sandwich Filler" or "The Spread".If he does,unfortunately people may not even care as they're minds may be made up.

To put it into a uncool music analogy:In 1971 Don McLean came out with "American Pie" and people loved it,then Madonna remade it in 2000 and people were divided.Now,what if Lil' Mama were to to put a crappy beat onto it and use a hook.Sure a few idiotic 14 year old girls would buy it but others not so much.

This may have been a bit negative but,believe it or not I'm optimistic about O.J.I'm looking forward to watching him all year.Even though it's highly unlikely that he'll be able to lead USC to the title but I can see a long stretch in March.You don't see a guy like that who is willing to put something on his back like that much.This was a worst case scenario and may not happen but if he follows the examples set to him by his predecessors he might.But I think he'll be smart enough to make it his way and do it right.And if it all goes wrong,OJ,you can always blame Kobe-I do it all the time,it's fun.