Career: Oyak Renault (Turkish Division 1, 1997-1998), Tofaş (Turkish Division 1, 1998-2000), Efes Pilsen (Turkish Division 1, 2000-2002), Detroit Pistons (NBA, 2002-2004), Utah Jazz (2004-…). Drafted in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft (#38), by the Detroit Pistons.
How all-around can a center be? Mehmet Okur is out to prove the limits. He can do anything on any part of the court. His immense versatility was always on display but he just couldn’t utilize it to the fullest. Now he is out to prove that he might very well be the best center in Europe.
It seems like Mehmet Okur has got nothing to prove at this point in his career, right? After all he had great success in Europe both at the club and national team level. Then he made it to the NBA and signed a 50 million dollar contract. He is a very highly regarded center. Well you have to think again. He is out to prove that he might very well be the best center in Europe. Because despite all he has achieved and all the praise he has received he knows that he hasn’t shown everything he is capable of. For many reasons what he has achieved, although commendable, is not even half of what he really can do.
Okur can do anything you might ask from a big man. He rebounds well. Although he is not the best athlete around his timing make him a great block threat. He has a very good low post game etc etc… Just these qualities would make him an immediate star in a basketball world deprived of quality 2.10 players.
But that’s not all Okur can do. As well as all the talents of a big man, Okur also has the qualities of a small forward. He has a very good jumper and 3-point range. He can put the ball on the floor to abuse other giants who can’t keep up in a foot race with him. He is a tireless worker. Always running the floor like a forward to finish the break. Heck! He even makes his free throws to the tune of %85+. He just created his own position, his own niche on the basketball court. He is a center-forward…
It seems that the only way to contain him is with double teams. But after a year under the tutelage of Jerry Sloan with the Utah Jazz he has improved his only weakness too: Passing. Now he can pass from a double team to find the cutter or the open shooter. He has become the ultimate weapon. Now he wants to show that he is not one of the best. But he is indeed “the one”…
Of course, the big men’s curse is they just cannot do it alone. They have to get the ball from others and cover for others on defense as well. So Okur needs help. If the supporting cast can provide him with the help Okur will be the one leading Turkey to success. He can do it… Those who know him well know he can do it. Now it is time for the ones who don’t know him that well to learn…
