Mehmet Okur says he wants to stay in Detroit http://www.detnews.com/2004/pistons/0405/16/d12-154275.htm <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> ?Of course, I want to stay here next year,? Okur said. ?I?ve learned a lot of things from him (Brown). Good stuff. I like to work out with him.?</div>regarding Coach Brown's decision not to play Memo in OT: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">?I mean, they played five small players out there,? said Okur, echoing Brown?s statements. ?They?re all perimeter guys. It was my coach?s decision. I respect what he says. He?s my coach. ?But like I said, I was ready. I?m ready every night. I might play the next game. I might play five minutes. I might play 40 minutes. I?m ready for everything. I?m keeping my body ready, myself ready and my mind ready.?</div>
I like what he says. That is the kind of attitude needed for coaches to like you. Memo's time will come, and he will be a true starter when Rasheed Wallace leaves. He can still be one of the better post players in the East.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A source close to the Pistons' Okur who asked not to be identified confirmed the player's interest in the Suns. Okur did not want to speak publicly because the Pistons are still involved in a playoff series against New Jersey. Okur is averaging 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per playoff game. Okur, 25, is a 6-foot-11, 250-pound forward/center from Turkey. He averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in the regular season in 22 minutes per game. But with the arrival in Detroit of Rasheed Wallace, his playing time went down. Last season, he averaged 6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.</div> Nash, Okur may look at Suns
It really depends what other teams with plenty of cap room offer him, the fact Phoenix and Denver could both be offering good money his way will change his decision about staying in Detroit. Most players these days care more about money than being loyal to certain franchises. That will be the case here if he is giving maybe 6 million per year instead of the MLE he will get in Detroit.
I don't think it's fair to put loyalty to the players when the owners show them none when they trade them off in the 11th hour or whenever it suits them... Anyhow I was going to ask what everyone thought of Okur. My concern for him being now that he might cross the Ol Miss and play for phoenix. I do like the Pistons and watch them every chance I get to but two or three games this year (I've been working through the playoffs sadly) haven't given me much of a sense of his game. Is he a perimeter big guy? Does he mix it up in the paint? Post moves? Shooting touch? I realize it's a little crappy to do this but thanks anyhow
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think it's fair to put loyalty to the players when the owners show them none when they trade them off in the 11th hour or whenever it suits them... Anyhow I was going to ask what everyone thought of Okur. My concern for him being now that he might cross the Ol Miss and play for phoenix. I do like the Pistons and watch them every chance I get to but two or three games this year (I've been working through the playoffs sadly) haven't given me much of a sense of his game. Is he a perimeter big guy? Does he mix it up in the paint? Post moves? Shooting touch? I realize it's a little crappy to do this but thanks anyhow</div> Memo is a seven footer who has range all the way out to the three point line. He's a good rebounder and an ok shot blocker. He prefers to play facing the basket and shooting jumpers. This is where the conflict between Larry Brown and Memo "Okur-ed" (sorry ). LB wanted Memo to play in the blocks, with his back to the basket. LB wanted Memo to work on his post game, and then compliment it with his outside shooting. Memo had a tough time adjusting because he wasn't used to the physical play. When Memo did commit to the playing the post first, he has shown that he can be a force in the paint. Then his outside touch become the icing on the cake. Right now, i don't think he's in the best shape. If he conditions a little more and continues to work on expanding his game, i think he'll be an above average center.
as far as player comparisons, the only person i can think of is a poor man's Nowitski. without the ball handling and with less speed. although those things can be attainted if Memo works at it.
