TUR – Okur: 'Count me in for 2010 Turkey'

SALT LAKE CITY (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Mehmet Okur says there has been no fallout between himself and Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic and insists that he is committed to playing for the national team on home soil at the FIBA World Championship next year.
 
Okur did not play for his country at this summer's EuroBasket amid reports of a major breakdown in communications with Tanjevic, but the Utah Jazz center is adamant the only issue was an injury.

"I wasn't able to play at the end of the season because I got hurt," he said to FIBA.com.
 
"I wasn't able to go out there and help my team. I had to take some time off and I missed Poland, but I'm looking forward to playing Turkey in 2010.
 
"I have no problem with anyone. I just couldn't play because I was hurt."
 
Okur is a veteran of the 2001 EuroBasket, hosted by Turkey, and understands what it will mean for his home nation to host the World Championship next summer.
 
"It means a lot," he said. "In 2001 in the EuroBasket in Turkey, the crowd was full of our fans and they supported us and helped us get all the way to the final. That's what we want to do again. We have a very good team and hopefully we can be a big success."
 
Before the next set of international fixtures roll around, however, Okur's focus is squarely on helping the Utah Jazz realize their potential this season.
 
Much has been expected since Jerry Sloan's team made it to the Western Conference finals two years ago, losing to Tony Parker's San Antonio Spurs, who went on to win it all.
 
But injuries blighted the team last year, keeping their post-season appearance brief.
 
This year, everyone is back, but question marks remain over the team after star forward Carlos Boozer demanded a trade request this summer, only to be turned down.
 
The USA international is back with the team, and Okur is adamant his desire to leave will not cause a problem within the locker room.
 
"I'm glad to see him back," Okur said. "He's a really good player and I like to play with him. He's so dominating inside, it makes my job much easier.
 
"He missed a lot of games last year and got frustrated.
 
"(The trade demand) doesn't bother us. He's still Carlos. He's with us right now and he's happy to be back.
 
"As long as we stay healthy this year, I think we're a great team and we can prove that."
 
Smokey Roberts
FIBA