Sloan begins to solve the mystery of Okur

Most people can see the redness starting to leave Mehmet Okur's right eye, the result of being poked by a Carlos Boozer finger in practice a week ago.

"Doctor said like another week or 10 days," Okur said of the eye injury. "Used to bother me. Used to burn, you know? Like a fog. But I'm getting better. Last two game, I was nervous because somebody going to get my eye again. That's normal."

Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan can see more than Okur's sight improving.

Following the Jazz's fourth straight win to open the 2004-05 season Monday night, 102-91 over Denver in the Delta Center, Sloan said he can see the 6-foot-11 center catching up a little to the rest of the team after a tough beginning with his new club.

Okur, after all, missed some training camp with a foot problem, then got sick while the Jazz were in Detroit for an exhibition game that Okur couldn't play in against those with whom he won the NBA championship last spring.

And Sloan used Okur's strongest game so far — 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in 20 minutes — to mention why he asks players to come to training camp in good shape.

"One of the things I always tell players, get in shape. If you come to camp and get one of those things, then you're not behind," said Sloan, who asked Okur to work out a little extra, "not punishment, but he's got to be in better shape to help us more consistently.

"Then you don't get so far behind that you panic.

"I think he's kind of come out of the panic stage now and is starting to relax."

Okur might not think of it as panic, but he said he is more comfortable now. "I felt good because I played, like, 'all together' out there. I'm getting better my shape. I can run on the floor better, I can go to every rebound," he said. "I'm getting close (to proper conditioning)."

Okur came in with 1:44 left in the first quarter when Jarron Collins picked up a second foul and quickly got a layin from Howard Eisley and an offensive and a defensive rebound as Denver finished the period ahead by two. He missed a couple mid-range jumpers early in the second but made his last three shots of the first half, hit four free throws, got a jump ball and had six boards by intermission — as the Jazz built a 15-point lead.

"He can really pass the ball well for a big guy, he can shoot and rebound. There are some things he can really help us with, and I think you saw some of that tonight," said Sloan.

Okur came to the Jazz as a restricted free agent, signing for six years and $50 million that wasn't matched by the Pistons, for whom he played two seasons, starting 42 of 143 regular-season games but none of his 39 playoff games.

Now in his third season, this one as a new Jazzman, "I'm trying to do my best for my teammates. I'm not looking for 'starter' right now; I'm looking for what can I do for my teammates, what can I do for myself, and work hard for every loose ball.

"I don't really know who he is," Sloan observed, "because he hasn't practiced much. When I get to know him a little bit better, I'll have to see what he's got."

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E-mail: lham@desnews.com

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