[The Salt Lake Tribune] Okur is disappointed he is not an All-Star

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Okur is disappointed he is not an All-Star
Jazz Notes -
By Phil Miller
The Salt Lake Tribune




MINNEAPOLIS - Just like Mehmet Okur hoped, the Western Conference coaches fudged their definition of positions and chose a part-time center to be the backup to Yao Ming in the All-Star Game. They even cast their votes for a European power forward for the job.
But it's Pau Gasol of Memphis, and not the Jazz's starting forward, who will be in Houston on Feb. 19.
The news disappointed him, Okur acknowledged, because he had started to allow hopes of an electoral surprise to creep into his thoughts.
"I thought I was there," Okur said after learning of the seven players chosen by Western Conference coaches to fill out the roster. "But it's all good. I'm happy for [Gasol]."
Gasol's statistics are roughly equivalent to Okur's. The Grizzlies' star averages 19.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, to Okur's 17.9 and 9.3. Okur has better range, Gasol blocks more shots.
But the biggest difference, Okur said, is not found in the stats, but in the standings. Memphis is 26-22 and a solid playoff contender. The Jazz are 24-25 and currently out of the playoffs.
"They have more good results than us," Okur said. "That makes difference."
Too bad for Okur that the Eastern Conference's coaches couldn't vote on the West stars. For some reason, the Jazz's leading scorer has been much more effective against the other conference.
In 26 games against Western teams, Okur is averaging only 13.3 points. But when the Jazz take on an out-of-conference opponent, Okur's scores nearly 10 points more per night, or 23.0 points per game.
Whatever the reason for being given All-Star Weekend off, Okur said the disappointment will help him in the long run.
"I'm going to work hard next summer and come back even better," Okur said. "Maybe next year, I will be All-Star."
The addition of Gasol means the Western Conference will have seven players who primarily play forward on its 12-man roster. Only Yao, elected a starter by a vote of the fans, is a true center.
The reserve forwards chosen by the coaches include Elton Brand of the Clippers, Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks, Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves, Shawn Marion of the Suns and Gasol. The starting forwards are Tracy McGrady of Houston and San Antonio's Tim Duncan.
A pair of Nuggets who had hoped to be selected, center Marcus Camby and forward Carmelo Anthony, were among the most prominent players passed over.

Briefly

Deron Williams returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session with a sprained ankle. The rookie guard, who missed Monday's victory over Chicago after injuring himself during pregame warm-ups, expects to play against the Timberwolves. . . . While Gordan Giricek rests his sore Achilles' tendon, the Jazz guard is also using the time to allow his shooting hand to heal. Giricek wore a bandage over his right hand Thursday, but said it was mostly a precaution. "It's little sore," he said. "No big deal, but it can get better, too."
pmiller@sltrib.com