From Deseret News archives:
Sloan begins to solve the mystery of Okur
"Doctor said like another week or 10 days," Okur said of the eye injury. "Used to bother me. Used to burn, you know? Like a fog. But I'm getting better. Last two game, I was nervous because somebody going to get my eye again. That's normal."
Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan can see more than Okur's sight improving.
Following the Jazz's fourth straight win to open the 2004-05 season Monday night, 102-91 over Denver in the Delta Center, Sloan said he can see the 6-foot-11 center catching up a little to the rest of the team after a tough beginning with his new club.
Okur, after all, missed some training camp with a foot problem, then got sick while the Jazz were in Detroit for an exhibition game that Okur couldn't play in against those with whom he won the NBA championship last spring.
And Sloan used Okur's strongest game so far 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in 20 minutes to mention why he asks players to come to training camp in good shape.
"Then you don't get so far behind that you panic.
"I think he's kind of come out of the panic stage now and is starting to relax."
Okur might not think of it as panic, but he said he is more comfortable now. "I felt good because I played, like, 'all together' out there. I'm getting better my shape. I can run on the floor better, I can go to every rebound," he said. "I'm getting close (to proper conditioning)."
Okur came in with 1:44 left in the first quarter when Jarron Collins picked up a second foul and quickly got a layin from Howard Eisley and an offensive and a defensive rebound as Denver finished the period ahead by two. He missed a couple mid-range jumpers early in the second but made his last three shots of the first half, hit four free throws, got a jump ball and had six boards by intermission as the Jazz built a 15-point lead.
"He can really pass the ball well for a big guy, he can shoot and rebound. There are some things he can really help us with, and I think you saw some of that tonight," said Sloan.
Okur came to the Jazz as a restricted free agent, signing for six years and $50 million that wasn't matched by the Pistons, for whom he played two seasons, starting 42 of 143 regular-season games but none of his 39 playoff games.
Now in his third season, this one as a new Jazzman, "I'm trying to do my best for my teammates. I'm not looking for 'starter' right now; I'm looking for what can I do for my teammates, what can I do for myself, and work hard for every loose ball.
"I don't really know who he is," Sloan observed, "because he hasn't practiced much. When I get to know him a little bit better, I'll have to see what he's got."
E-mail: lham@desnews.com
Comments
- Avalanche suffer 1st home loss 10:34 p.m.
- Thunder rout short-handed Magic 10:32 p.m.
- Evans helps Kings top Warriors 10:29 p.m.
- Lakers win 5th straight 10:27 p.m.
- Bystanders framed for child porn 10:27 p.m.
- WAC: Nevada drubs the Spartans 10:25 p.m.
- Yule essay contest seeking entries 10:20 p.m.
- Species on endangered list 10:20 p.m.
- Scientist: Dinos trampled in SE Utah 10:19 p.m.
- NBA roundup: Bryant leads Lakers 10:17 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
197 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
126 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
100 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Here are a few leftovers from Beckerman from the "5 questions" interview.
It's almost tip time at the Spectrum as Utah State prepares to take on...
All MWC football fans need to get behind TCU, it's the only way we can hope...
Several schools have turf now...so it is not the Turf. Playing in a...
Two weeks ago BYU quit against TCU. When was the last time Utah quit when...
I for one was impressed to see the coaching staff make better use of JJ. Once...
Funny that Cougar fans don't think that the Heisman Trophy winner wouldn't...
BYU fans take shots at Utah since they cannot talk about their own team....
Silver conservative are in a constant state of fear. There were only two...
I remember that game, it was a Shumway who ran him down. His little brother...
As a Utah fan I am nervous about this one, but I don't think TCU is going to...
I am a devotee of multiple talk radio hosts. They stimulate me to increase...



You can be the first to comment on this story.