Turkey - Okur's absence will be tough on Turkish team, says assistant coach

From www.hurriyetdailynews.com
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The Utah Jazz's Mehmet Okur loses his balance after twisting his ankle in between Denver Nuggets Ty Lawson (L) and Chris Andersen during the second period of an NBA first-round playoff game on April 17.

Utah Jazz center Mehmet “Memo” Okur’s absence from this summer’s FIBA 2010 World Championship in Turkey will a major blow for the host country, according to the national team’s assistant coach.

Nihaz I.ziç said other players, such as Toronto Raptors forward Hidayet “Hedo” Türkog(lu and Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan I.lyasova, will do their best to fill the gap of Okur.

“Mehmet’s injury has been shocking news for the entire basketball community,” I.ziç told reporters Tuesday in Ankara. “It was an unlucky and unfortunate event. Mehmet had raised his performance despite a poor start to the season and his contribution to the national team would have been really important.”

Okur had an operation last week after injuring his right Achilles tendon and is not expected to be fit for at least four months.

I.lyasova has been having a good season and posted 11 points and five rebounds from the bench Monday night as the Bucks won 111-104 against the Atlanta Hawks to tie the series 2-2.

Noting that I.lyasova is currently the only Turkish player in the NBA playoffs, the assistant coach said: “We were proud of Ersan’s performance during the regular season and so far in the playoffs. He is a very important player for the future of Turkish basketball. He will improve in the NBA and will make a great contribution to Turkey in the tournament.”

Another big gun for Turkey, national team captain Türkog(lu, was severely criticized by Raptors’ fans for his sub-par performances on the court, as well as a performance at a night club on a game night. The forward was considered the biggest reason why the Canadian team could not make this year’s playoffs.

Some pundits have argued that giving the forward a $54-million five-year contract at the beginning of the season has affected Türkog(lu’s desire for the game, but I.ziç thinks he did not have a poor performance.

“Hidayet moved to another city and a team with a very different system from what he was used to,” said I.ziç. “Of course, it is not easy to adapt to such different circumstances. Despite the unfortunate incidents he had during the season, we all know his quality.”

The assistant coach said Türkog(lu will be a key player for Turkey. “He will have a great preparation period with us and will be at the top of his game come tip-off time for the tournament.”

Iziç said Turkish national team coach Bogdan Tanjevic, who had a major operation on his intestines one month ago, is expected to be back in charge soon.