Hollinger thinks the Okur extension is "genius"

[WinningUgly]

For the record, the Jazz haven't had a consistent 3rd player worth any note since Hornacek. AK plays with his heart on his sleeve (not in a good way), and Memo is probably the worst road player in the league. And that's saying nothing of his crap D.

Well actually his road averages (13.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.2 bpg) are very comparable with his home averages (13.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.0 bpg) with the rebound and blocks going up a bit even. The thing that takes huge hit on the road is Okur's three point percentage (From % 47.7 at home to % 28.4 on the road). The most important stat is when Memo got two or more days of rest (which he doesn't get on the road) he shot % 48.8 from three point range (105/215) in the 20 games.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Even before the injury, how can a slow, poor defensive center been a steal with his $22 million extension? Even if he hadn't been injured, for the next season or two, Okur would've been the same $11-million slow, poor defensive center (who was also becoming streaky with his shot).

If Okur had not been extended, what would have been his expiring contract last season would've been a valuable trading chip to get a defensive big at the trade deadline.