Okur Transcript

The Utah Jazz signed center Memhet Okur on Tuesday, July 27, to a multi-year contract.  Thee following is a transcript of the press conference.  

Dennis Haslam, Utah Jazz President

“We sat down to develop a plan for what we would do during the summer months. We had an exciting time with the draft. That was an important part of what we were to do this summer and an important part for our Basketball Operations Department. We got through the draft, we had plans to sign big-men we were looking particularly for power forwards and centers. When August 1st came, one of the first phone calls Kevin (O’Connor) made was to Marc Fleisher to express an interest on our part to sign one of his players. Things have come together pretty nicely for the last few days. We didn’t have a match from Detroit, Detroit was good enough to waive and give us an opportunity to accommodate some of Mehmet’s needs to get back to the Turkish (National) Team.” 

Kevin O’Connor, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations

“When we talked about (Mehmet), we did sit down and we had a number one objective, and he’s sitting to my left. We felt that he would fit a lot of the needs that we had, he gave us an ability to score the basketball, he gave us some toughness, he gave us somebody that can rebound. I know I’ve heard some comments about him not being as good a rebounder as he actually is - I’ll sit her and say you’ll see it this year. When I told Marc (Fleisher), it probably wasn’t as good a negotiating ploy as could be, I said he’s our number one objective and we want to figure out a way to make this happen if that’s something he wants to have happen. He was very happy obviously in Detroit and we put together a good package on the table that we thought was comparable to what his talents are. He’s 25 years old, he’s played in the league for two years and I can’t tell you how many tapes I’ve watched of him, which he doesn’t know, from his first game in Detroit until the last game. So we felt that we got a player for us that’s really going to improve our basketball team and do nothing but get better.”

 Marc Fleisher, Mehmet Okur’s Agent

“Mehmet and I spent a lot of time talking about what was best for Mehmet’s career. Obviously he had the wonderful experience of winning a championship in Detroit. I’ve represented a lot of players for a long time, most of them have never had that opportunity. But I think that Mehmet realized that with that now under his belt there were a lot of other things he wanted to achieve and perhaps the best place for him do that was here. The style that’s played here, the makeup of the team, there were a lot of factors that went into this decision. We sort of bantered it back and forth and it all sort of fit into place and we realized that this was a place for him to spend the next several years here. And I’m happy that Kevin (O’Connor) and I were able to reach an agreement relatively quickly. I think we both understood what it was going to take to get it done, and we were able to accomplish that. So I’m thrilled and I think Mehmet’s thrilled, “Mehmo” as you all will learn to call him soon, so we’re happy that he’s going to be here.”

 Mehmet Okur

“I’m so excited right now and I picked Utah because I liked the way they played last year and I like the coach a lot. I like Kirilenko, we used to play against each other in Europe. I know Gordan (Giricek), (Raul) Lopez, (Carlos) Arroyo and I’m so excited right now, I can’t wait to play with them. If you look at last year I had good experience, I had great career with Detroit, and I came here and I bring experience. I can’t wait to play with them, I’d like to thank everybody here who supports me.”

 On What His Goals Are

“To just go out there and play hard every night and of course playoff, it’s all about playoff in this league. We are going to go hard every night, we are going to play for playoff. It’s all about playoff, that’s why we work hard everyday. I came here so I could step up here and play hard like a team and try to win every night.”

 On the Piston’s NBA Finals Run

“It was huge. I had a good time, I can tell you right now that was huge. It was really big for me, it’s going to be my third year in the league and last year I took the championship. The year before we played Eastern Conference Final.”

 On Why He Likes Utah

“I like the way they played last year. They have good European players here. I think we’re going to be a great team with Carlos and me. We’re going to step out for real next year, we’re going hard.”

 On His Commitment to the Turkey National Team

“We have 55 days, almost two months to practice. We’re going to play 12 games with the national team. It’s going to be a good experience for me and when I come here I come back here with the shape. It’s good for me every summer.”

 On if He Was Disappointed His Playing Time Decreased After the Pistons Acquired Rasheed Wallace

“Of course it bothered me because everyone wants to play in this league, like me. I know he’s a great player, they bring him because of playoff and if you look at last season we play like a team.”

 On if He’s Realizing His Dreams

“I can say my dream came true, the last three years and right now. I took the championship and I’m here with Utah, signing six years, and I’m 25 years old. If you look at the other players, no rings, maybe I have respect right now. I’m 25, I can say my dream came true – life is good.”

 On His Relationship with Larry Brown

“I think Larry’s a great coach. We didn’t understand much end of the year, I don’t know why this happened. We know each other well right now. I think he’s a good coach, Larry always told me ‘go inside, play inside,’ okay but I can shoot too. Sometimes I say, ‘but I can shoot too, I can’t play inside all the time,’ and he said just go inside and make your move and go to the basket. Right now, here, if you look at Carlos and Lopez they like to play pick and roll most of the time and Jerry likes to play pick and roll and I like that. I like to pick and roll too and shoot the ball outside, put the ball on the floor, and play inside-outside, that’s my basketball.”