Mehmet Okur Most Dependable Player Jazz
By Michael Williams (3/1/2007)
In 2004, when Mehmet Okur signed up as a free agent with Utah Jazz no one paid much attention as everyone was concentrating on Carlos Boozer.
However, over time Okur is getting his due after it turned out that he was Utah’s most dependable player and clutch outside shooting is the one thing keeping the Jazz in the lead position in the Northwest Division. Now that Boozer has out with a broken leg, it is Okur who is ensuring that the Jazz do not miss him too much.
With 38 percent, Okur is the top 3 point shooter for the Jazz and he is also the second from the foul line and it looks like the Utah Jazz will be heading to their second playoff for first time in four years.
Okur’s 3 pointer are very popular with the fans and he is slowly getting used to being called Money because of his clutch shooting.
When Boozer broke a bone in his left leg in January 2007, it was Okur who helped Jazz win their next three games out of four. Against Phoenix, he scored 29 and hit the game winning shot while he scored 12 of the last 14 points against the win over Chicago. On January 31, he scored 31 points against the Spurs which the Jazz won 97-93.
Even now, Boozer gets all the attention and many forget that this 6 foot 11 sharpshooter with a shy smile has played 229 consecutive games which includes the 213 games he has played for the Utah Jazz. |