Turkoglu Feels Right at Home

Geoff Petrie, Sacramento’s president of basketball operations, is considered a leading candidate for NBA executive of the year award because of several crafty moves he made in the off-season.

Trading for steady shooting guard Doug Christie and picking up backup point guard Bobby Jackson are two such decisions. But the move Petrie made that is often overlooked is his selection of Hidayet Turkoglu with the 16th selection in last year’s draft.

At this time a year ago, Turkoglu was considered just another young European player making himself eligible for the draft. But Petrie knew better and the Turkey native has been impressive.

After four professional seasons in Turkey, Turkoglu has become a valuable role player.

“I am the first player to play in the NBA from Turkey,” said Turkoglu, who is counted on to provide an offensive boost off the bench for the Kings. “It has been a good year for me to come here and play. They are happy at home to see me playing. I am getting minutes and everything. It has been a good experience for me.”

Turkoglu, 22, is 6 feet 8 and can play shooting guard or small forward. Known for offensive skills, Turkoglu didn’t have any trouble scoring when he began his NBA career, but at the start of the season, his defense was exposed as a weakness.

Not any more.

“People talk at first that I can’t play defense but I always try and do my best,” said Turkoglu, who had 12 points and two rebounds in 22 minutes in Game 1 against the Lakers. “It’s a [stereotype] that European players can’t play defense and only play offense. But I think I have shown everybody that I can play defense too. People are starting to respect me more for that. . . . I am not the focus every single time like it was for me at the start of the season.”

Sacramento forward Chris Webber has had to bang into Shaquille O’Neal a lot lately and he has a good feel for the Laker center’s power.

“I can’t think of anybody, except maybe weightlifting guys and powerhouse guys, [who can battle O’Neal near the basket],” Webber said. “I don’t know of one person who can stand behind him and, using the catch phrase around the NBA, ‘impede his progress.’ That’s how big he is and that’s how strong he is. God has blessed him with a great body, a lot of agility and a lot of talent.”