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Utah Jazz: Korver in midst of slump
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Whether it's the lingering effects from a right wrist injury or the hangover from a homecoming trip to Philadelphia, Kyle Korver is in the midst of arguably his worst shooting slump since coming to the Jazz.

Korver has gone 4-for-16 overall and 2-for-9 from three-point range in the Jazz's last two games, against the 76ers and Wizards. A career 40.5 percent three-point shooter, Korver has made only 31.6 percent of his tries this season.

"No excuses for missing those shots," Korver said. "That's why I'm here, to make those. The last couple games, I've just been completely out of sync, no rhythm."

Korver had been playing with his right wrist taped, but he tore off the tape in frustration in the second half of Wednesday's game. He said his wrist was "as close to good as it's probably going to be."

Okur update

Mehmet Okur remained in Turkey on Thursday, with his agent, Marc Fleisher, saying that Okur would decide about returning to the Jazz once he knew whether his ailing father, Abdullah, would need to undergo another surgery.

Abdullah Okur was hospitalized 15 days ago after an epileptic seizure, according to an update on Okur's Web site (www.memo13.com) and is suffering from pneumonia. He did not regain consciousness when his son visited him in an intensive-care unit. Okur's father had part of his lung removed five years ago after a lung cancer diagnosis, and later had a brain tumor removed.

"Abdullah Okur was losing consciousness for lengthy periods of time for the last two weeks and Memo was informed by family members that he should be ready to fly home any time," the post said.

Fesenko's return

After flying to Toronto to resolve a visa issue, Kyrylo Fesenko was set to rejoin the Jazz on Thursday in Charlotte. With Fesenko available to play against the Bobcats, Jarron Collins likely will return to the inactive list with an injured right elbow.

Favorite son

Former Jazz guard Dee Brown, now playing for Washington, explained why he honored his commitment to take part in three weeks of Jr. Jazz clinics in small towns across Utah, Wyoming and Nevada in the summer of 2007 even when he knew he wasn't coming back to the team.

"At the time, I still was representing Utah," said Brown, who added that he was considering returning to some of those towns in the future.

"I've got some fans there and I've got some people that really love basketball," Brown said. "They still reach out and show me love and I still want to reach out to kids and let them know that no matter where you're from, what you do, you still can live your dream."

rsiler@sltrib.com

Jazz at Charlotte

Where: Time Warner Cable Arena

Tipoff: Today, 5 p.m.

TV: FSN Utah

Radio: 1320 AM, 98.7 FM

Records: Jazz 6-2; Charlotte 2-5

Last meeting: Jazz 128, Bobcats 106 (March 25)

Line: Jazz by 6 1/2

About the Jazz: Deron Williams and Matt Harpring both are expected to play, while Andrei Kirilenko is day-to-day with the sprained right index finger he suffered Wednesday. . . . The Jazz need a victory to have any hope of a winning five-game trip and also would like to avenge a road loss last season to Charlotte in which they blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead.

About the Bobcats: Charlotte will play without leading scorer Jason Richardson, who underwent exploratory surgery Wednesday after complaining of swelling and pain in his right knee. No structural damage was found. . . . Matt Carroll was listed as the starter in Richardson's place, but coach Larry Brown said Shannon Brown and Adam Morrison also could see increased action.

But guard is not blaming sore wrist for his poor shooting in recent games
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