Mehmet Okur News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 19

The Deseret News

"The folks back home missed out on a chance to see one native son play against the other. Starting center Mehmet Okur missed Wednesday night's win over Toronto and, according to a Jazz spokesman, was not planning on traveling with the team to San Antonio for tonight's game against the Spurs. Okur is out due to "flu-like symptoms," according to the Jazz, but it wasn't immediately known if he has the actual flu and the Jazz did not say if the illness was suspected to be H1NI flu-related. Okur is the first Jazz player this season to miss a game because of flu-like symptoms. He did take part in Wednesday's morning shootaround, and afterward said the Utah-Toronto game was being televised live in ..."

Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers

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November 14

The Deseret News

"From behind closed doors, screams and shouts were heard. And when they opened shortly after the Jazz's 112-90 win Friday night over the Philadelphia 76ers, it sounded like a frat party inside the visiting locker room at Wachovia Center here. Understandably so, too, as 4-5 Utah — without starting point guard Deron Williams, who returned to Salt Lake City earlier Friday to be with an ailing daughter — won despite starting two rookies and going most of the way with just seven players. "We just had a lot of fun tonight," forward Carlos Boozer said. Did they ever. All five starters scored in double figures — topped by Boozer and his 24-point, 12-rebound double-double — and so did Andrei ..."

Okur's status uncertain for Friday

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October 30

The Deseret News

"The Jazz are calling starting center Mehmet Okur "day-to-day" after he sprained both his left ankle and left knee in the first minute of Wednesday's season-opening loss at Denver. It's uncertain if he'll be able to play in Friday night's home-opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Jazz — who didn't practice today — were hopeful. "He's actually better today than we thought he'd be," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said this afternoon. Okur missed about seven minutes, then returned to finish with 13 points and six rebounds while logging 31 minutes in the Jazz's 114-105 loss."

Jazz suffer scare after Okur injures leg

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October 29

The Deseret News

"The injury scare for the team plagued by ailments and illnesses last season came frighteningly early this year. Only 24 seconds into the Utah Jazz's 2009-10 regular season, center Mehmet Okur tried to take a charge Wednesday night. Instead, he took a painful fall to the floor and a trip to the trainer's room after getting his left foot stepped on by the Denver Nuggets' hard-driving, 250-pound Nene. Ouch. Make that a double ouch — one for Okur and another for a Jazz squad that had to be thinking, "Here we go again," after already being hammered hard by injuries in the preseason. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said the team couldn't feel sorry for itself. And it didn't need to for too long anyway. ..."

Okur, Jazz OK deal

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July 10

Salt Lake Tribune

"The Jazz and Mehmet Okur agreed Thursday to a two-year contract extension worth a reported $20.8 million that will keep the three-point shooting center off the free-agent market next summer. Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor confirmed the agreement but declined to comment until officially submitting the extension to the league today. Okur's agent, Marc Fleisher , didn't return messages. Okur long has voiced a desire to stay in Utah, including his hopes of having his number retired at the end of his career. He averaged 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 44.6 percent from three-point range last season. Okur still will make $9 million this season, but the extension will add two ..."

Utah Jazz notes: Okur is leaning toward opting out

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June 29

The Deseret News

"While his agent continues to negotiate a possible contract extension with the Jazz, and has said his client is "leaning toward opting out" of the final year of his contract with the team if no agreement can be reached by Tuesday, starting center Mehmet Okur recently told media members in his native Turkey that he has no current plans to play there. Late last month, Okur was honored at Forum Istanbul 2009 Convention — a national awards gala — for "representing (his) country's honor in international platforms with great success." Okur isn't playing internationally for Turkey this offseason, and — though he led the country to silver at the 2001 FIBA European Championships and played on its ..."

Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur free-agent possibilities for Pistons

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May 20

Detroit Free Press

"The Pistons will monitor the situation in Utah closely this off-season. The Utah Jazz roster is in a state of flux, with free agency possible for forward Carlos Boozer, center Mehmet Okur and shooting guard Kyle Korver, and the restricted free-agent status of power forward Paul Millsap. The thinking is the Pistons might be able to acquire a player from the Jazz if it is dead-set against paying the NBA's luxury tax. Greg Miller, who heads the family that owns the Jazz, was emphatic to KSL-TV in Salt Lake City last weekend that the team will pay the tax if it means keeping Millsap. There's still uncertainty about whether Boozer, Okur and Korver will return or opt out of their deals and ..."

Kyle Korver Is Ready To Opt Out And Leave The Jazz

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May 18

1111122222

"Recession? What recession? While the rest of the nation hopes to hold onto a job, any job and while the rest of the country hopes to lose only 50% of their 401k, Jazz players are planning on winning the lottery. Sure the luxury tax is probably dropping from $71 million to $68 million and sure NBA owners, like everyone else, have taken some major financial hits. Did players and agents not notice David Stern setting up eight figure credit lines for owners to tap into? First Mehmet Okur announced he was looking to be paid like a Top 10 center instead of a Top 20 center, so opting out sounds like a foregone conclusion. Now Kyle Korver is apparently opting out. In an interview with KXNO in ..."

Okur's happy in Utah but wants to get paid

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May 13

The Deseret News

"He very well could opt out of his Jazz contract, but Mehmet Okur still wants to play in Utah. Turns out, the Turkish standout might even sacrifice some cash to remain in a place he considers his "second home." Even if he does, though, it's looking more likely that it will require the Jazz to pay some more — to borrow broadcaster Craig Bolerjack's signature Memo long-ball call — "money!" to keep Okur in a Utah uniform. That's because, according to a recent post on a Web site dedicated to all things Okur (memo13.com), the 6-foot-11 post player deems himself to be "one of the best 8-10 centers in the league." However, in an association of inflated salaries, Okur isn't going to be paid like a ..."

Okur heading home to Turkey to be with his family

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April 30

The Deseret News

"Before returning to his native Turkey for the offseason, Mehmet Okur had planned to spend at least three or four more weeks in Utah. But with the Jazz's season having ended with Monday night's Game 5 first-round NBA playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and with his father's health still not well, he and his wife Yeliz instead decided to head home right away. "We've got to go early and support my family, be with them," Okur said. Last November, Abdullah Okur was hospitalized in intensive care due to an epileptic seizure and subsequent aspiration pneumonia. Mehmet Okur left the team early in a five-game road trip then and returned as his father — who had been falling in and out of ..."

Okur practices, hopes he can play tonight

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April 25

The Deseret News

"On Friday, Mehmet Okur was the anti-Allen Iverson. The Jazz's usual starting center was — get this — excited to practice. And, yes, we really are talking about practice. Depending on how Okur feels today after participating in the first full workout he's done with the team since straining his right hamstring a week and a half ago, the 6-foot-11 Turk is eagerly anticipating rejoining the Jazz on the court for real tonight. "Yep, it is a possibility," he said of playing in Game 4. "It's all up to after practice how I feel, how my hamstring going to react. And I tell you what, I'm excited so hopefully I'm going to feel good." Jazz coach Jerry Sloan had no comment about Okur's possible return ..."

Okur may be ready for Game 4

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April 25

Salt Lake Tribune

"Jazz center Mehmet Okur was encouraged Friday about his prospects of making his return from a strained right hamstring in Saturday's Game 4 against the Lakers. Okur jumped into a shooting session with Andrei Kirilenko and part-time assistant coach Jeff Hornacek before Friday's practice and was planning to do full-court work for the first time since he suffered the injury April 13. "So far, so good," Okur said. "It feels good. Less pain. I was able to do more moving and more stuff. I'm probably going to more stuff with the team and see how I feel." Asked if playing in Game 4 was a possibility, Okur said: "Yeah, it is possibility. It's all up to after practice how I feel and how my ..."

Jazz: Okur may be ready for Game 4

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April 24

Salt Lake Tribune

"Jazz center Mehmet Okur was encouraged Friday about his prospects of making his return from a strained right hamstring in Saturday's Game 4 against the Lakers. Okur jumped into a shooting session with Andrei Kirilenko and part-time assistant coach Jeff Hornacek before Friday's practice and was planning to do full-court work for the first time since he suffered the injury April 13. "So far, so good," Okur said. "It feels good. Less pain. I was able to do more moving and more stuff. I'm probably going to more stuff with the team and see how I feel." Asked if playing in Game 4 was a possibility, Okur said: "Yeah, it is possibility. It's all up to after practice how I feel and how my ..."

Utah Jazz: Memo's Status Remains a Mystery

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April 23

The Deseret News

"Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur made one thing clear at practice Wednesday. Clear as mud, that is. "I don't know yet," he said when asked about his availability for Game 3 of Utah's NBA playoff series against the Los Angles Lakers. "I'm going to try to do more stuff today than the last couple of days and see how it feels." Okur, who missed the first two games of the series because of a strained right hamstring, isn't even sure if he's making progress. It's an injury he's never had before. "It's tough," said Okur, who planned to test things out by concentrating on defensive slides, rebound drills and shooting. "Like I've said before, I wish I was out there playing." Okur's absence has made it ..."

Jazz: Boozer tells Okur to take his time

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April 22

Salt Lake Tribune

"Carlos Boozer knows all too well what Mehmet Okur is going through with a strained right hamstring in these playoffs, having missed 49 games to open the 2005-06 season with the same injury to his left hamstring. As Okur missed Game 2 of the Jazz's first-round series against the Lakers, with the strain he suffered April 13, Boozer said he offered Okur some counsel about the injury when the two talked Monday. "I said to be careful with it," Boozer said. "The tough thing about it now for him is that we're in the playoffs. This is the part of the season every player looks forward to and wants to be in no matter what. "The tough thing about it is if he does come back too soon, he could ..."

Harpring misses morning shootaround; Okur ruled out for tonight

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April 21

The Deseret News

"The Jazz held their morning shootaround today without veteran reserve small forward Matt Harpring, who's status for tonight's Game 2 of their first-round NBA playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers is uncertain. Also today, starting center Mehmet Okur said he will not play tonight. Harpring stayed back at the Jazz's team hotel due to "gastric distress," the apparent result of a bad reaction to antibiotics he was taking to address a recent nasal infection. Okur has been out for more than a week with a strained right hamstring and did not play in the Jazz's Game 1 loss Sunday. With Okur out, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan confirmed Tuesday that he will again start Jarron Collins at center."

Jazz really want their Memo back

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April 20

The Deseret News

"At 6-foot-11, it's hard to miss Mehmet Okur. His absence, however, stands out even more. "Anytime we don't have Memo out there it hurts us," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said after Utah lost Game 1 of its first-round NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles while starting center Okur sat behind the bench in a suit, his strained right hamstring still not healed. "He brings a different aspect to the game that not a lot of centers can bring," said Williams, with reference to the sharpshooting big man. "He makes things easier for everybody else, just being on the floor and people having to respect him out to the 3-point line." Even the Lakers readily concur. "He's definitely a player that ..."

Okur misses Game 1

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April 20

Salt Lake Tribune

"As the Jazz opened the playoffs Sunday against the Lakers, Mehmet Okur was reduced to a spectator, missing Game 1 with the strained right hamstring he suffered in last Monday's victory over the L.A. Clippers. Okur was hopeful he could try to practice Monday morning and possibly return for Game 2. But Okur has done no court work, including before Sunday's game, and continues to undergo treatment sessions. Asked about playing Tuesday, Okur said: "It's hard to tell right now. This is the kind of injury you can't tell like 'tomorrow' or like 'a couple days' or whatever. We're taking day-to-day and stuff. But everything's going well for me right now." Okur said his hamstring had loosened up a ..."

Okur's chances of playing 'low'

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April 19

Salt Lake Tribune

"As the doors opened to the Jazz's pregame shootaround Saturday, Mehmet Okur could be found taking light jumpers by himself at a far basket, occasionally hiking up the right leg of his shorts to reveal the heavy wrap he is wearing. Okur still can't run full speed with the strained hamstring he suffered in Monday's victory over the L.A. Clippers and pegged his chances as "low" of playing this afternoon when the Jazz open their first-round playoff series against the Lakers. The Jazz have not officially ruled out Okur, but have made contingency plans, with coach Jerry Sloan saying he would start veteran Jarron Collins in Okur's place, much as he did in Tuesday's regular-season finale against ..."

Jazz need Okur at full strength

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April 19

Salt Lake Tribune

"When he's shooting the ball well, Mehmet Okur is a weapon capable of pulling the center of the opposing team away from the basket, which creates additional driving lanes to the basket. And that attribute, against the Los Angeles Lakers, could be a huge key, because their center happens to be Andrew Bynum and all of his 7-foot-1 shot-blocking length. Okur's shooting is a huge part of Utah's offense. But there's always a rub, and in this case the question is just how healthy he will be. He missed the season finale with a strained right hamstring. He's listed as a game-time decision for Sunday's opener against the Lakers, but it's unlikely that he'll play -- and there is no question that ..."

Okur's hamstring is likely to keep him out

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April 19

The Deseret News

"He's officially a game-time decision, but don't count on Mehmet Okur playing for the Jazz Sunday in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Utah's starting center didn't participate in the Jazz shootaround practice Saturday morning and hasn't trained with the team all week since straining his right hamstring against the Clippers on Monday. Okur says there's "little chance" he'll play in the first-round opener. C.J. Miles, on the other hand, will likely be available after missing five of the past six games with a dislocated left index finger. The usual starting small forward practiced Saturday and says his finger, which is wrapped with padding, feels good enough to go. Coach Jerry Sloan said ..."

Jazz will need Okur at full strength

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April 17

Salt Lake Tribune

"When he's shooting the ball well, Mehmet Okur is a weapon capable of pulling the center of the opposing team away from the basket, which creates additional driving lanes to the basket. And that attribute, against the Los Angeles Lakers, could be a huge key, because their center happens to be Andrew Bynum and all of his 7-foot-1 shot-blocking length. Okur's shooting is a huge part of Utah's offense. But there's always a rub, and in this case the question is just how healthy he will be. He missed the season finale with a strained right hamstring. He's listed as a game-time decision for Sunday's opener against the Lakers, and while it's probable that he'll play, there is no question that ..."

Jazz: Okur expected to play Tuesday

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March 23

Salt Lake Tribune

"As he headed out for the start of practice Sunday, Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson couldn't resist teasing Mehmet Okur a little. "How do both of me look?" Johnson asked Okur, who left Friday's game after getting hit in the right eye. "Is that you, Phil?" Okur shot back as he launched a couple of three-pointers. Okur was in good spirits -- he playfully pulled a free throw to the right of the rim, smacking it off the backboard -- and said he "of course" expects to play Tuesday against Houston, when the Jazz will need all available big men against Yao Ming. "I feel almost 100 percent right now, so I've got a couple more days to play," said Okur, who had a red gash under his eye from ..."

Utah Jazz's Okur OK after sustaining eye injury

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March 21

The Deseret News

"The area under his right eye was discolored, and it was difficult to open his eyelid. It hurt so much, Mehmet Okur felt like he got hit with a fist — and not just poked. "It could have been worse," the Jazz center said after Friday night's win at Oklahoma City. "I'm glad it was just a punch, and I'm gonna be okay, hopefully." "Stuff like that happens," he added. "It's part of the game." Okur was jabbed during second-quarter play by Thunder guard Chucky Atkins, who was going for the ball but instead caught the big Turk's right eye. Okur immediately fell to the floor and was done playing for the night. Okur was examined by an Oklahoma City team doctor, and a Jazz spokesperson said he ..."

Team's best chance for an NBA All-Star is Okur

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January 20

The Deseret News

"Even after he missed 13 games with a sprained ankle, Deron Williams held out hope for making his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game. But after playing for quite some time at less than 100 percent because of the ankle, the Jazz point guard hasn't been talking that way lately. Paul Millsap has offered All-Star effort as the Jazz's primary replacement starter at power forward for injured two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, and his rebounding numbers as a starter — 11 per game — are All-Star quality as well. But his 17.4 points-per-game scoring average as a starter is at least 3.5 below Boozer's averages during his All-Star seasons. He's missed a half-dozen games in the last ..."

Okur looks like old self in win

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November 23

The Deseret News

"After he scored a season-high and game-high 23 points Saturday night, and shot 9-of-15 from the field, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range, it almost seems safe to say:Mehmet Okur is back.The Jazz's starting center missed four road games earlier this month while spending time with his seriously ill father Abdullah in Turkey, then missed a fifth because his lower back was tight and strained from the long trip overseas.He played last Wednesday against Milwaukee, and again Friday night at San Antonio, but looked far from his usual self.In a 103-94 road victory Saturday over the Memphis Grizzlies, however, even Okur himself had to agree that he finally was back to form.Or at least well on the ..."

Okur leads Jazz past Grizzlies

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November 23

Memphis Commercial Appeal

"Marc Gasol received a pass deep in the lane, took one dribble and he must have blinked. Before the Grizzlies' rookie center could recover the ball, Utah Jazz guard Brevin Knight had already invaded his space and came away with a steal Simply put: Knight just took the ball. And when the Jazz weren't forcing turnovers Saturday night they used ball-hawking pressure to seemingly disrupt every intention the Grizzlies had offensively. The result was a blown fuse, plenty of frustration and a 103-94 loss for the Grizzlies in FedExForum. Griz head coach Marc Iavaroni called the defeat a valuable learning experience. Maybe so. It wasn't a pleasant one - more like standing up to the schoolyard bully ..."

Weary Okur rejoins team, but sits out game

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November 18

The Deseret News

"Jazz center Mehmet Okur re-joined the team Monday, one week after returning to his native Turkey to be with his seriously ill father Abdullah.But Okur did not play in the Jazz's win over Phoenix on Monday night, citing a strained lower back that was already sore before he traveled, tightened up on the 15-hour return Sunday trip through Chicago and felt even worse when he woke up Monday morning.Leaving his family to come back, Okur suggested, was a difficult decision to make."My heart is with them right now," Okur said"Life will still go on," he added, "and I've got to look forward and just pray for him and hopefully everything will be all right."Abdullah Okur, who has previously survived ..."

Okur returns but sits out with bad back

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November 18

Salt Lake Tribune

"With his critically ill father's condition having stabilized, Mehmet Okur returned to the Jazz on Monday, though he sat out the victory over Phoenix with a strained lower back aggravated by the 15-hour trip from Turkey. Okur's father, Abdullah, was hospitalized more than two weeks ago after suffering an epileptic seizure. Okur left the Jazz last Monday and missed the final four games of their road trip to be with his family in Istanbul. "My heart with them right now," said Okur, whose father has undergone surgery to remove a part of his lung and a brain tumor in the last five years. His father had been in an intensive care unit, but he was able to undergo two surgeries ..."

Okur returns, won't play tonight

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November 17

Salt Lake Tribune

"Mehmet Okur returned to the Jazz on Monday after spending last week in Turkey with his critically ill father but won't play in tonight's game against Phoenix. Okur had been bothered by a strained lower back and said the 15-hour flight from Istanbul aggravated the injury. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan will start Jarron Collins in place of Okur against the Suns and Shaquille O'Neal. Deron Williams also will sit out the game as he continues to recover from a sprained left ankle. Andrei Kirilenko (sprained right index finger) and Matt Harpring (ankle rehab) both said they will be available to play. Okur's father, Abdullah, was hospitalized two weeks ago following an epileptic seizure and was admitted ..."

Team in tough spot as Okur leaves for Turkey

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November 11

Salt Lake Tribune

"The Utah Jazz announced Monday that Mehmet Okur has left Utah to return to Turkey to deal with a family illness. The move raises questions about who will start for the Jazz at center Tuesday against Philadelphia. Kirilo Fesenko would start at center for the Jazz, but he has to travel to Canada to resolve a visa issue and won't play until Friday. Jarron Collins is out with a right elbow injury. That means rookie Kosta Koufos could start"

Okur's offseason workouts are paying off

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October 15

The Deseret News

"When he first arrived in Utah from the then NBA-champion Detroit Pistons, Mehmet Okur epitomized all that can drive Jerry Sloan cuckoo at the start of a training camp.He was out of shape, not nearly physically prepared for the demands of a taskmaster who fully expects all of his players to report in tip-top condition - and certainly not use camp to get there.Flash forward four years, to 2008.Now, Okur is Sloan's poster child for the cause that is offseason training.He's in super shape, body fat down about two percent from a year ago. He runs the floor like an athletic swingman, not the 6-foot-11 starting center he is. And he feels, well, terrific.No aches.No pains.No extra chins.And none ..."

With possibility of Boozer, Okur opting out next season, Jazz play it out

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June 5

Salt Lake Tribune

"he is at all concerned about the possibility of losing Carlos Boozer and/or Mehmet Okur as free agents next summer, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor didn't sound it Wednesday. This time next year, Boozer and Okur could elect to opt out of the final year of their contracts. Boozer would be opting out of $12.7 million while Okur has an early termination option for 2009-10, when he is due to make $9 million. "I can't make it a concern," O'Connor said, adding, "Those things have to work themselves out a little bit and you've got to be in a position to understand that it's a business and it's a business for us, too.""