LifeOnaPlate
Well-Known Member
qft.
Okur Update
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qft.
LifeOnaPlate
Well-Known Member
Memo's D on Yao was actually critical in that on-the-road 7 game series a few years back. I see him as a decent, but ot good, defender.
Marty McFly
Well-Known Member
He held Yao to his averages. Great, he can kind-of guard one player in this league. Personally I'm enjoying not having to see the stupid wrist-slap fouls any time somebody goes to the hoop.
vslice02
Well-Known Member
Unlike Boozer, (who relied solely on his quick hands to play defense) and was a poor individual, help, and pick-and-roll defender, Memo actually plays average-to-good individual defense, particularly in the low-post. His label as a "bad defender" comes from his transition and help-defense, where often times he makes little to no effort to block or even challenge a layup. Plus, at 6-11, he can affect more shots simply by putting a hand up than a 6-9 guy could.
Relying on mostly single coverage. Other teams often needed double-teams to keep Yao to his averages. You don't think that's a big advantage?
He can guard any back-to-the-basket center, and does a better job than most bigs in that regard. It's not enough to make him a good defender, but it's enough that (when you add in the rebounding and boxing out) he's not horrible.
I think Okur is definitely going to help the Jazz when he comes back. However, I think he is going to be key off the bench because the Jazz are going to need his scoring and I think he can play with AJ in certain situations. For instance, against the Lakers he is going to force either Gasol or Bynum out of the key to cover him. Phil Jackson even mentioned last year that the Jazz are a tougher matchup with Okur because they are forced to cover him at the 3 pt line.
However on the defensive end Okur will struggle with athletic bigger guys so it is a pick your poision scenario. I also think Okur is necessary at end of game situations with his 3 pt shooting ability.
I have appreciated Okur's shooting, hustle and effort for the most part over the years but he has a few major liabilities on the defensive and offensive end. I think it is essential that he comes back and plays 20-25 night. I am not sold on Fess or Elson being effective every night. Besides he gives us another big body and six more fouls. Nevertheless, I certainly thought the Jazz were dumb to extend him and when he went down it certainly was a bad move. Take that eleven million off the board, and Matthews would still be a Jazzman.
However on the defensive end Okur will struggle with athletic bigger guys so it is a pick your poision scenario. I also think Okur is necessary at end of game situations with his 3 pt shooting ability.
I have appreciated Okur's shooting, hustle and effort for the most part over the years but he has a few major liabilities on the defensive and offensive end. I think it is essential that he comes back and plays 20-25 night. I am not sold on Fess or Elson being effective every night. Besides he gives us another big body and six more fouls. Nevertheless, I certainly thought the Jazz were dumb to extend him and when he went down it certainly was a bad move. Take that eleven million off the board, and Matthews would still be a Jazzman.
I don't know if Matthews would still be here (it would've certainly changed the RFA market for Matthews, but if he gets the same offer the Jazz would be fools to match, regardless), but the possibility is increased.
For me, the extension affects everything currently, including whether the Jazz keep AK this year or not and obviously if the Jazz pay the tax this year (which is nearly a certainty). His extension also affects the Jazz's ability to re-sign AK and Fes which now it's almost a certainty they can't keep both. Which if either has an especially good year (I'm feeling both will) will guarantee that at least one is gone.
For me, the extension affects everything currently, including whether the Jazz keep AK this year or not and obviously if the Jazz pay the tax this year (which is nearly a certainty). His extension also affects the Jazz's ability to re-sign AK and Fes which now it's almost a certainty they can't keep both. Which if either has an especially good year (I'm feeling both will) will guarantee that at least one is gone.
And Memo certainly has some value, but having less Ronnie Brewer at the wing automatically diminishes that value. I would never even come to the table for an extension if his camp was asking for more than the MLE and let him play his contract year and go from there.
And I don't know if the Jazz would've had a shot at Matt Bonner had they pursued him, but the Jazz also would've had that option as a possibility to pursue if they just let Memo play out the year. Matt Bonner at $3-$4 million/year is a hell of a lot better than Memo at $11 million if they could've swung it. IMO.
And I don't know if the Jazz would've had a shot at Matt Bonner had they pursued him, but the Jazz also would've had that option as a possibility to pursue if they just let Memo play out the year. Matt Bonner at $3-$4 million/year is a hell of a lot better than Memo at $11 million if they could've swung it. IMO.
The "hatred" for Okur comes from how he fits in with our lineup. He's not a bad Center. You are right. How many complete C's are there in the NBA.
Not many. It's just that Okur and Boozer were NEVER going to work. Both were bad on defense most of the time. That will NEVER win you a title.
So there is a fair point to be made that Okur might play better with Big Al. I'll tell you this we need his outside shooting more than ever before.
The past is the past, but I hope you can see why some posters such as myself were "hated" Okur. He wasn't the answer alongside Boozer.
Now that he is older and probably slower after this injury I'm still worried that he isn't the answer. Had we had a defensive big to play alongside Memo,
or we used Memo as a backup I think people would view him better. If Memo starts, and you want to win a title, you better hope you have great defense
to back him up. Anyways, I enjoyed your post, and wanted to answer you first question posed.
memo is money
Active Member
NotDeadYet
Well-Known Member
Always liked Okur's overall game; at the time we got him, it was a good move. However, as has been noted, him and Boozer together were bad karma on D though.
Okur reminds me a lot of Jerry Lucas, who played with the Knicks better-known C, Willis Reed. He was all of 6'9" playing C, and was a deadly long-range shooter too. Had to be a very smart player to survive as a C, and he was; won an NBA championship...
Okur reminds me a lot of Jerry Lucas, who played with the Knicks better-known C, Willis Reed. He was all of 6'9" playing C, and was a deadly long-range shooter too. Had to be a very smart player to survive as a C, and he was; won an NBA championship...
