Round 4, Pick 3: Mehmet Okur, FC, Utah Jazz

Is this thing on repeat?  I feel like I’m becoming redundant with my selections for this squad, as I keep harping on the fact that I refuse to choose big men that will drag me down in any category.  Yes, they may not produce as much as your typical NBA center (which, in fact, are decreasing in number year by year), but for all intensive fantasy purposes it is gold.  Flying under the radar by many last season, including the Detroit Pistons, Mehemt Okur sprung onto the scene in a big way for fantasy owners. 

Let’s dive into this blog like Vlade Divac in the lane, and I’ll tell you how Okur will be an asset to your squad this season.

Say What?

Before you go on and say, “But Scott, with an all healthy Jazz team this season, Okur’s touches will be limited.”  Trust me, I thought the same thing last year when I moved him the week that Carlos Boozer came back.  I thought that Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko would definitely crimp this man’s production.  Well, not if the “Turkish Terror” has anything to say about it.

On top of almost averaging 20 points and ten boards on the season, check out the end of his campaign.  In the last 20 games for Okur, the big man only scored less than 13 points twice, and included 12 double-digit rebound nights.  What’s the big deal about that, right?  Well, add in the fact that he also hit at least one three-pointer in 12 of those games (including two games with at least three bombs) while shooting 46% from the field and 78% from the line, and you have yourself quite a center.  Oh, did I mention that he’s the second center on this already stellar squad?

This former second round selection will be a vital part of this season’s Jazz offensive unit.  While Andrei Kirilenko is one heck of a fantasy player, a lot of fans neglect to remember that he isn’t exactly an offensive powerhouse.  This leaves a lot of frontcourt production to come from Okur.  I also expect the further development of their second-year point guard Deron Williams.  This will only mean bigger and better things for Mehmet.

Like….a….GLOVE!

The Utah big man welcomes himself to an already spectacular fantasy roster of Chris Paul, Steve Nash and Brad Miller.  I challenge anyone to find a better group of players that could realistically be drafted in a twelve team league than this small-ball group without going with four straight point guards.  As I’ve mentioned before, if this is a head-to-head league, many teams would struggle for a week against this roster.  Roto owners are a hustle-stat player away from being about as well-rounded as you could be.  I mean, c’mon!  Look at the picture!  He even knows where this squad would finish in a real league!  As Borat would say, “Yes!  It is niiice.”

Other Team Members:

1.10 Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
2.3 Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
3.10 Brad Miller, C, Sacramento Kings