Mehmet Okur in the NBA

[Levenspiel]

Utah is expecting a bright season this time, and reaching the play-offs appears to be the minimum expectation in JazzFan board.

If Memo can maintain his stats form the last year, and the rest of the team can stay healty, then the Jazz is easily a playoff material.

I guess we'll encounter and talk about many interesting things especially in this topic.

[nba_smile]

Utah Jazz good starts 3/0
Last match

Mehmet Okur: 21 point 12 ribaund

[parso]

Okur’s Offense, Defense Helps Jazz to 4-0 Start
By DOUG ALDEN
Posted Nov 7 2006 1:36AM


Utah 103, Detroit 101
SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 6 (AP) -- Scoring eight of his 23 points in the final quarter wasn't quite enough for Mehmet Okur to lead the Utah Jazz past the Detroit Pistons. He needed to make the biggest defensive play of the game, too.

Okur blocked Richard Hamilton's layup in the final second and the unbeaten Jazz held off the Pistons 103-101 Monday night, giving Okur another win against his former team.

Hamilton got past Utah's Andrei Kirilenko and drove for a layup that would have tied it, but Okur saved the Jazz from having to go to overtime by getting across in time to block the shot.

"I was already in the defense and he drove inside,'' Okur said. "Me and Andrei, we had a piece of the ball so that's a good win for us.''

Carlos Boozer of the Jazz had his fourth double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Deron Williams scored 14 points, Derek Fisher scored 12 and the two guards each had seven assists for the Jazz (4-0).

"Great win. Great win,'' Boozer said. "We're doing a better job this year of finishing games in the fourth.''

Rasheed Wallace finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead Detroit. Wallace also received his fourth technical of the season in the second quarter, but managed to keep from being ejected and helped the Pistons stay in the game.

Wallace was still unhappy, to put it mildly, after the game and said he got the technical more on his reputation than what he said after thinking he was fouled when he made a shot that got the Pistons within 44-42 in the second quarter.

"I was just running down the court and said 'And one,''' Wallace said. "This cat (referee Steve Javie) is looking at me from the other side of the court and he bangs me up.''

Coach Flip Saunders also got a technical for protesting when Wallace received his, and assistant coach Dave Cowens was called for one that turned Okur's three-point play into a four-pointer in the final few minutes.

After Antonio McDyess slammed in an offensive rebound to give the Pistons a 96-95 lead with about 2:50 left, the Jazz got it right back. Okur made a layup and drew a foul to put the Jazz ahead 97-96 with 2:36 left in the game, then before he could get to the line Cowens was called for the technical.

Fisher, who made both shots after Detroit's technicals in the second quarter, made the free throw, then Okur made his and Utah led the rest of the game.

Saunders said the game shouldn't have been decided by technical fouls.

"My comment is that we might as well play 'PlayStation' if we are going to take the emotion out of it,'' Saunders said.

Tayshaun Prince got Detroit within 101-100 on a layup, but Okur answered with two free throws with 33 seconds left. Chauncey Billups went 1-for-2 from the line a couple of seconds later and Detroit had a chance when Williams missed a short jumper and couldn't hang on to the rebound.

The Pistons got the ball ahead to Hamilton, who faked out Kirilenko and went in for a layup only to have Okur come across and block it.

"Literally every guy that's playing for us is giving us something offensively and defensively,'' Fisher said.

Kirilenko had 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Gordan Giricek scored 13 points for Utah.

Flip Murray scored 15 points, 12 in the second quarter, Hamilton had 14 and Billups finished with 10 points and four assists.

Notes: The Pistons haven't won in Utah since Nov. 6, 2002. ... Detroit opened a four-game road trip. ... Boozer had six rebounds in the first quarter. ... Matt Harpring added nine points for the Jazz.

[Spike]

Yeah I watched that game, that was one sick block of Memo. He has a nice thing going on with Boozer, they really compliment each other really well. One thing though, his defense is still a bit shaky. Resheed Wallace was just breezing thru him if he wasn't there.
________
Coach Handbags

[parso]

Yeah I watched that game, that was one sick block of Memo. He has a nice thing going on with Boozer, they really compliment each other really well. One thing though, his defense is still a bit shaky. Resheed Wallace was just breezing thru him if he wasn't there.

Rasheed Wallace is a tricky player though when he is on he is just amazing but we all know what he can do when he is not "ON". I simply can't forget his actions against Sabonis :throwing a towel at him because he got hit by his elbow... teammates don't do such stuff to each other and especially not to Sabonis - one of the all time greats!!!

You don't do such stuff when you are a UNC guy...maybe he took a wrong turn while in college and spend some time in Raleigh or Durham
(Michelle couldn't resist it!!!)

[Levenspiel]

In the rankings of Sportsline.com, Mehmet Okur is the 2nd among all the NBA centers, behind Yao.

Check:
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/player...egularseason/C

His natural position is PF, but due to the presence of Boozer there, who's playing at his best nowadays, Okur has to play as a center.

Utah is 7-1 at the moment and their best scoring comes from PF and C positions. Interesting, imo.

[stuart]

With the return of Boozer, Memo's numbers are down from his career-highs last season. However, I am sure Okur doesn't mind considering how well the Jazz are doing this season. He's even becoming well-known as a big-shot maker when the clock winds down as he did last night against the Seattle Sonnics...

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Mehmet Okur is quickly becoming the Utah Jazz's shot-maker with the game on the line.

Okur hit a 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left to help the Utah Jazz hold off the Seattle SuperSonics 109-107 on Saturday night.

"Since last year, he has hit so many big shots for us. He can struggle all game, it doesn't matter, he'll take that big one," said Deron Williams, who had 18 points and nine assists.

Okur is earning a penchant for game-winners and calls his late, long-range shots: "Moneyballs."

"You know, right place at the right time. I think D-Will did a great job. He just pushed the ball hard," said Okur, who missed his first four shots. "It was a good pass and I was open. I have confidence in my shot."

So do his teammates.

"Memo hits big shots," said Carlos Boozer, who led Utah with 24 points and made a putback to give Utah a 106-105 lead with 11.5 seconds left... more

[Levenspiel]

He's making a name out there with his clutch shots. I liked the "Clark Kent" part.

Link to the full article: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4893753

Utah finishes trip with 100-97 victory over Memphis

By Phil Miller
The Salt Lake Tribune


Article Last Updated: 12/23/2006 11:51:17 PM MST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - They're still playing woulda-coulda-shoulda in the Jazz's locker room, still muttering about Stephon Marbury's solo fast break, still wondering who the heck Matt Carroll is. Still whacking their foreheads with two-by-fours for squandering such a generous Christmas opportunity.

"We had a chance to go 5-0," grumbled Deron Williams. ". . . Bad trip."
That's one interpretation. Then again, consider their holiday mood had Indiana's comeback not fizzled, had Atlanta been able to hold on to a 20-point fourth-quarter lead. Had Damon Stoudamire released the ball a half-second earlier. And especially, had Mehmet Okur not been wearing a Utah jersey.

Okur made only one of his five three-pointers, but for the third time in six days, he altered the finish of a game with a clutch rainbow from 24 feet. This time, it delivered a 100-97 victory over the Grizzlies, and a 3-2 holiday-week trip that remains open to interpretation.

"Winnable games," Okur shrugged at the two losses. "But I think it was good trip for us."

How could he say otherwise? With spectacular timing and even better marksmanship, Okur stamped himself on this trip as the Jazz's own Clark Kent, ready to dive into the nearest phone booth when the clock ticks down. Even Memphis coach Mike Fratello acknowledged the danger before the game, complimenting Okur's ability "from downtown."

His team seemed to forget that lesson in the final minute, however. After trailing most of the night, the Jazz pulled within 97-95 on a three-pointer by Andrei Kirilenko with 2:18 to play. The next time down the floor, Okur found himself open for a three. He missed, just as he had his previous three attempts.

But with just 36 seconds left, and the score the same, Okur got another chance. Williams drove hard into the lane and abruptly swung the ball to Okur, just a step off-center from the top of the key. No doubts about this one.

"He just made good play for me. It was good shot, good pass," Okur said. "I knew it was coming for me, so it was there."

Everyone knew it was coming, especially the man who got it to him. "Deron is the guy that knew where he was. Deron's found him every time," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. " . . . I don't have a problem with him shooting the ball anytime as we come down the stretch because I feel like he's gonna make shots wherever they are."

That's as opposed to the Grizzlies, who were hitting 52.7 percent of their shots - and then missed their final six, failing to score a basket in the last 3:53. Well, actually Stoudamire hit Memphis' last shot, a three-pointer that thwacked off the glass and banked in as the horn sounded. It just didn't count.
...

[Levenspiel]

From RealGM forums;

04-05 Clutchness:

http://www.nba.com/games/20041220/UTAPHI/recap.html
"Okur hits two clutch FTs with 1 second left to give Utah the W."

http://www.nba.com/games/20050110/SASUTA/recap.html
"Okur scores at the buzzer to give Utah a one point win over San Antonio."

http://www.nba.com/games/20050413/SASUTA/recap.html
"Okur does it again, only it was with 2 seconds left to put us up two."

Not many, true, but worth mentioning, especially since they helped pave the way for the miracles to come...

05-06 Clutchness:

http://www.nba.com/games/20051102/DALUTA/recap.html
"Okur hits two threes in the final two minutes to extend the lead from 1 to 7. All hail Memo!"

http://www.nba.com/games/20051107/UTACHA/recap.html
"Okur hits the go-ahead three in the final minute of OT."

http://www.nba.com/games/20051226/MEMUTA/recap.html
"Okur hits the go-ahead three in the final minute of OT... again."

http://www.nba.com/games/20051231/PHIUTA/recap.html
"Okur scores seven points in the final minute, including a game-tying three, to lead the Jazz to victory."

http://www.nba.com/games/20060206/CHIUTA/recap.html
"Okur hits the game winning 3 with 0.7 seconds left in OT."

http://www.nba.com/games/20060303/LACUTA/recap.html
"Up only one with 30 seconds left, Okur hits a big three to give the Jazz the win."

http://www.nba.com/games/20060419/GSWUTA/recap.html
"Okur hits the go-ahead three in the final minute of the game for the win."

06-07 Clutchness:

http://www.nba.com/games/20061106/DETUTA/recap.html
"Okur blocks Rip's potential game tying shot at the buzzer."

http://www.nba.com/games/20061118/PHXUTA/recap.html
"Down by three in the final seconds, Okur gets fouled shooting a three and hits all three FTs to send the game to OT. Jazz win."

http://www.nba.com/games/20061122/UTASAC/recap.html
"Okur hits the go-ahead three pointer with 1:45 left, and scores two more baskets afterwards, completing the 21 point comeback."

http://www.nba.com/games/20061202/SEAUTA/recap.html
"Okur hits the game winning three pointer with 1.7 seconds left to give the Jazz a two point win."

http://www.nba.com/games/20061220/UTAATL/recap.html
"Hawks are up 21 points in the final quarter, and the game looks over... but there's a problem. Memo doesn't like losing. Not one bit. And so he goes on to make clutch shot after clutch shot, including two three pointers in the final two minutes to secure a Jazz win."

http://www.nba.com/games/20061223/UTAMEM/recap.html
"Down by 2 with 40 seconds left, Okur drains yet another go-ahead three pointer, and proceeds to make 2 clutch FTs afterwards to win it."

[rikhardur]

He's s tremendoulsy useful player. Players like those who are able to take the responsibility and handle the pressure to shoot for the win are a talisman to any team. In the playoffs he'll certainly be a key player for the Jazz.

[Levenspiel]

A little bit late, but it must be mentioned in this thread. He collected the following stats, and made the game winnable for the Jazz, but Arenas buried their hopes.

Okur vs WAS:
40 mins, 38pts (13-22 fg, 4-8 threes, 8-10 ft), 9 r, 2a, 1b, 0 TO

Career best: Okur's 38 points

By Tim Buckley

Deseret Morning News/January 17, 2007

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Seemingly lost amid guard Gilbert Arenas' 51-point performance in Washington's 114-111 win over Utah on Monday was the career-best 38-point showing by Jazz center Mehmet Okur.

Okur, though, largely downplayed the performance, which came on efficient 13-of-22 field-goal shooting — and easily topped his previous best of 33, which came while playing for the Jazz at Chicago in November 2005.

"I felt good," said Okur, who also made 4-of-8 from 3-point range, including two clutch treys down the stretch. "I just came out there and tried to play more active and aggressive, inside-out and outside-in."

What the ex-Detroit big man did not feel so good about is what he hopes the Jazz will improve on when Utah faces his old club tonight. "We have to do a better job on the defensive end," Okur said.
....

Link to the full article:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650223573,00.html

[Levenspiel]

Mehmet Okur is the man for Jazz! He made 6 consecutive 20+ points games, and he's playing incredibly well. If you think "incredible" is an exaggeration, read these comments by prestigious posters of the Jazz boards.

by sharpshooter:
"Okur is God. But even some Gods have their rivals. I'm not talking about anyone from Memphis, but obviously the basketball Gods in general were fighting with Memo for dominion over this game."

And if you think "God" is an exaggeration, watch the last Grizzlies vs Jazz game.

[Levenspiel]

So it says the official Jazz website:



But, as far as I know, the whole list has not been anounced yet.

[Levenspiel]

All-star or not, Memo the spur-killer was in action yesterday. 31 points (8 in the last minute) out of 10/14 shooting and 11 rebs. And he became only the second center to post at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game starting opposite Tim Duncan. Okur joined Shaquille O'Neal, who's done that five times.




Edit: He didn't make the all-star. Anyway, have you heard of "Church of Okur"?

.

[Hal]

i am sorry for Okur. He deserved to go. Today they beat Suns witout Boozer AGAIN

[rikhardur]

i am sorry for Okur. He deserved to go. Today they beat Suns witout Boozer AGAIN

Big game for him 29 pts + 12 rebs

[stuart]

Okur scored the Jazz's last 6 points against the Sun... two jumpers and two free throws. i think he really makes it difficult to add Josh Howard and Carmelo Anthony above him esp with no one representing Utah with Boozer.

Stuart

[Spike]

He has been named Western Conference Player of the Week!

http://www.nba.com/news/pow_070205.html
________
Teen Korean

[sony]

I'm not an expert of NBA but even I know that he's chosen for the Western Conference Player of the week (and Dwayne Wade for the Eastern Conference) I'm very happy for Okur because he has deserved to be known as a very good player. Everytime I hear his name with compliments and good results, I'm very proud of him. I hope he will play for National Team again and show his quality

[a.i.]

Wasn't he one of the players who destroyed national team's chemistry couple of years ago?

I thought him, Turkoglu and Turkcan were main reasons Tanjevic decided to try it with a young and hungry team which proved to be a very good choice.

Imo Okur is great NBA player but has difficulties to adapt to the style of play in Europe and therefore also in the national team.

What's your opinion, you certainly know him better?