This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Jazz have watched from the back row during the NBA's chaotic free-agency show, content to calculate and observe rather than react and indulge.
Utah could still make a big splash this season via player addition, though, and the small-market organization wouldn't have to spend a single extra penny doing it.
The rebuilding Jazz can quickly strengthen their roster with a respected nine-year veteran who's won an NBA championship; a worldly athlete with career averages of 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds during 617 games; a dangerous outside threat who's knocked down 573 career 3-pointers on 37.7 percent shooting.
The 32-year-old gold mine stands 6-foot-11 and weighs 265 pounds. He's mature and respected, quiet but proud. When he flicks his wrist from outside the arc, he's often money.
Utah's biggest possible addition for 2011-12: Mehmet Okur.
Memo made news Friday by telling the media he's finally back to 100 percent health. Three days into the Jazz's training camp, all signs continue to point toward "comeback."
Okur sounds and looks more confident. His words come out easier; his expressions are jovial instead of pained. Even simple situations, such as putting up pre-practice shots or joking with fellow Turkish teammate Enes Kanter, appear more comfortable for the big man, whose entire 2010-11 season was shadowed by a left Achilles tendon tear suffered during the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
"I feel great," said Okur, who played in just 13 games last season and started none due to a variety of frustrating injuries that resulted in a series of false starts.
Utah's previous rule governing Okur's return centered upon complete caution. No expectations, no guarantees. Players such as Elton Brand were invoked, as the Jazz examined past Achilles tears to formulate a timetable for Okur — one that kept sliding backward as Utah fell downward in 2010-11.
"It was a really rough year for me last year; also as a team," Okur said.
The veteran Jazz center started last summer by continuing his normal rehabilitation work, then finally regained his confidence playing professionally in Turkey during the NBA lockout. The comforts of home helped. But so did everything from an increased leaping ability to Okur's inner knowledge he could run up and down the court without fear of another depressing setback.
His rebounding returned. His spot-up shot was found. Mehmet Okur was almost back.
Defense is still a concern and Okur hasn't played more than 17 minutes in an NBA game since April 14, 2010. But even the normally cautious Kevin O'Connor loosened the reins a little when discussing how the Jazz initially plan to use Okur.
"I can't speak for coach [Tyrone Corbin] but I think that what you're going to do with him is, you're going to put him out there and presuppose that he's where he was from a year and a half ago," Utah's general manager said.
In Okur, Corbin sees a valuable veteran who is "100 percent" and whose "head is clear."
The vet said he's ready for the grind.
"It looks like it's going to be a rough schedule, a long season," Okur said. "Even off the bench — five minutes, 30 minutes — I just want to go out there and perform at my level again."
What about his moneymaker — his soft touch from the perimeter?
"Always there," he said.
Twitter: @tribjazz
facebook.com/tribjazz —
Mehmet Okur file
Position • Center
Vitals • 6-foot-11, 265 pounds
Year • 9
Age • 32
Career stats • 13.7 pts, 7.1 reb, 46% FG, 37.7% 3pt
2010-11 stats • 4.9 pts, 2.3 reb, 35.5% FG, 31.1% 3pt (13 games) —
Regular-season opener
P Jazz at Lakers, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m. MST
TV • TNT