Nickname given to Mehmet Okur, current
NBA basketball player for the Utah
Jazz.
Okur earned the nickname "The Money
Man" midway through the 2006-2007
NBA season because of his late-game heroics and overall clutch play during the closing moments of several important games. Okur, a 7-foot center/power forward, is uniquely known for his lethal 3-point range. Because of his size, Okur's deep shooting is difficult to defend.
It is rumored that
NBA statisticians found Okur, also nicknamed "Memo", led the
NBA in game-tying or lead-taking shots with less than two minutes to play for all games played during the 2006-2007 season, ranking him higher than other notable clutch players such as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
The nickname originated from
Jazz broadcaster
Craig Bolerjack, who so frequently commented that the
long 3's shot by Okur were "Money" because of Memo's consistent accuracy in pressure situations. When interviewed by Bolerjack, Okur mentioned that he looks forward to taking the big shots in important situations and that he and his teammates have confidence in his ability to win close games at the end.
Jazz fans, tuning in to Bolerjack's broadcasts during pressure situations, have become accustomed to hearing "
Utah down by 2, 10 seconds remaining. Deron Williams with the
ball, crosses over, gets into the paint, Okur is open for 3, Williams finds him, the shot is up......AND IT'S GOOD! The Money
Man does it again! Okur with a 3 at the buzzer!"
Mehmet Okur is now regarded by fans and players as one of the
NBA's top clutch performers.
Example 1
Broadcaster 1: "
Utah has the ball, down by 2. Who do you think will take the last shot?..."
Broadcaster 2: "The Money
Man, of course. If I'm the Wizards' coach, I'm telling all my guys to not allow Okur to catch the ball."
Example 2
Fan 1: "Who are the most clutch players in the
NBA today?"
Fan 2: "Well I'd have to go with The Mamba, LeBron, Steve Nash, Deron Williams, Agent Zero, and the Money
Man."
