"Jazz center Mehmet Okur said that he never felt right.

Not during his multiple comeback attempts this year. Not while battling recurring back pain, the latent effects of offseason left Achilles tendon surgery or shrugging off a freak right ankle injury. Too many setbacks, too much downtime.

"I kept trying day in and day out. It didn't work out," said Okur, prior to Utah's 121-117 overtime home defeat to the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday. "And I'm one of those guys who really don't like to sit. And this year really didn't go well for me. Everything's downhill for me. ... I tried everything and we tried everything — everybody did a great job. It just didn't work out."

The nine-year veteran spoke with the media for the first time since officially being shut down March 16 for the 2010-11 season. He acknowledged what was obvious throughout an injury-plagued comeback attempt that featured several setbacks and never fully lifted off the ground.

Okur's left leg did not completely heal, limiting his movement and impairing his confidence. Rushing his recovery and overcompensating for his injured left side, Okur soon began experiencing pain in his right side and back. Now, he is out for the season."