Is 'The Next Mehmet Okur' in camp?

Two questions popped in my head at media day when I saw Mehmet Okur. First, I wondered if he had or was going to fire his barber. Then again, maybe beards and “Mullethawks” or “Mull-hawks” are all the rage in Europe, and I should fire my American barber.

I was also curious to see what he thought about the Jazz’s first-round pick, Kosta Koufos. Seeing as experts compared the two big men’s skills, it’d be fun to call the rookie a “Mini Mehmet.” But Koufos is an inch or two taller than the 6-11 Okur, so that moniker won’t work. Maybe Baby Okur? How ’bout Mehmet Jr. or MJ, for short?

Well, we can worry about nicknames later (or not).

And Okur’s reaction to the comparison?

“You tell me,” he replied.

Having players ask reporters questions would make for an interesting twist on NBA coverage, but fortunately he didn’t wait for my response. I haven’t been playing against Koufos the past couple of weeks like Okur has, either, so my comparison would have started and perhaps ended with haircuts.

“He’s a pretty good guy,” Okur said. “He’s young. He’s really athletic. He’s going to be a great player.”

Okur also commented on the rookie’s touch on the longball, which earned some pre-Rocky Mountain Revue praise from coach Jerry Sloan this summer.

“He can shoot,” Okur said. “He’s one of those guys, like I do, he can shoot from perimeter and he can post up, and he’s really gonna be a great player in this league.”

In other words, sounds like the experts might have accurately pegged the Ohio State product.

Koufos’ jersey number — 41 — reveals which other large European’s game he likes to emulate. His mom told me in June the 19-year-old is a big fan of Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, who also wears quatro-uno.