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Jazz center Mehmet Okur said Monday that his return is not imminent and there is still no timetable for his activation. However, Okur added that he will definitely play this season.
"I don't even know when I'm coming back," said Okur, following a morning shootaround at EnergySolutions Arena.
Okur's statement followed an interview conducted Monday by Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor, during which O'Connor clarified comments made Sunday night by team president Randy Rigby. Rigby told a local TV station that Okur's return was quickly approaching, and could be within a week or two. Okur and O'Connor said that Rigby simply became excited after recently watching the veteran big man practice.
Rigby did not return a message seeking comment.
O'Connor said that there are three issues that will determine when Okur is ready to take the court. His conditioning must be game-ready and he must feel comfortable. In addition, the team has to watch the center run without any visible setbacks.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said that he was not aware of any change in Okur's status, stating again that he will not consider how Okur's activation could affect the team until it actually happens.
"Our job is to worry about when he sets down on the bench to play," Sloan said. "Up until that point, we can't give a lot of thought to it, because we've got to worry about the guys we've got."
Asked if there was a remote chance that Okur does not play this season, O'Connor stated that he will not put any type of timetable on Okur's return, due to the severity and unique nature of his Achilles tendon injury. O'Connor stressed, though, that Okur has worked hard during his rehab and done everything possible to return to the court. O'Connor added that Okur is fully healed from his injury, which occurred in April during a first-round playoff series against Denver. The GM acknowledged that there have been "plateaus" during Okur's recovery, but said that there had not been a major setback.
Okur recently began running in full-court scrimmages with Utah, and spent last week at a training facility in Santa Barbara, Calif. He said that he was pleased with his production at the high-performance workout complex, and expects to increase his activity with the Jazz this week during a three-day break between games from Tuesday through Thursday.
"It's going to be huge for me to … see myself how close I am," Okur said.
Okur believes that any remaining issues affecting his return are physical and not mental. While his shot is on target, he is still working on having full leaping ability and lateral movement with both legs, primarily his left.
He's gone
Jazz center Francisco Elson did not play Monday against Golden State and was not with the team. The Netherlands native was in Canada, taking care of visa issues. He is expected to rejoin Utah on Friday in New Orleans.
Raja out, Fes back
Jazz rookie forward Gordon Hayward made his third consecutive start while filling in for an injured Raja Bell. Hayward finished with one point in 10:52. He has recorded one point on 0-of-4 shooting while committing nine fouls in 29 minutes during the starts.
"I'm just thinking way too much and not just doing what I can do," Hayward said. "And that's got to change."
Jazz center Kyrylo Fesenko, who had missed two contests due to a sprained left ankle, returned to the active lineup.
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