OKUR OK: While visiting his ailing father in Turkey last week, Okur admitted he "wasn't able to do anything — no basketball, no nothing." He is still trying to regain his playing shape after that fitness-zapping inactivity and suffering some jet lag from a nine-hour time difference, back spasms and a heavy heart while worrying about his dad's health.

Okur missed Monday's game due to his strained lower back and he only scored one point in 20 minutes Wednesday. But the Jazz center says he's "doing better." He showed up to practice early Thursday to get in some extra cardio and shooting.

"I'm doing OK with my back, but it's tough to get back conditioning-wise," he said. "I just want to push myself every day and we'll go from there."

Okur is especially relieved that his father is improving. Abdullah Okur recently had several surgeries after being hospitalized following an epileptic seizure and pneumonia.

"I'm glad my father's doing better right now," he said. "He's feeling better every day."

FLASH NOTES: The Utah Flash waived three players from their roster Thursday, including former Utah State guard Kris Clark, forward Torrington Cox and center Calvin Brown. The Jazz's NBA Development League affiliate now has a roster of 13 heading into its only preseason game, Saturday in Burley, Idaho.

The Flash will host their annual Meet the Team party at 6 p.m. Monday at the Pinnacle Security Gymnasium (1290 Sandhill Road, Orem). Their season-opener is Nov. 28 at Austin, Texas.

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E-mail: jody@desnews.com