I agree with you completely. It may just be because he is such a good shooter when he's on that I'm overlooking the flaws more then before, but it seems like Adelman has gotten him in some favorable matchups defensively. The question is will those matchups be available come playoff time?
I think part of it may be that Adleman is much more encouraging than JVG was. I give JVG a lot of credit for creating a solid foundation for our team on defense and emphasizing the culture of hustle that we see on the team today, but he wasn't helpful in letting rookies build up their confidence. I still think Novak needs to work a lot on his defense, but it helps to be able to grow into that when you know your coach isn't going to jump on you for every little mistake.
Damn that shot looked very sexy. If Steve's shot can be personified, it would be Elizabeth Taylor during her heyday. Smooth and Sexy.
Funny little story actually. I saw both matches a year apart on ESPN Classic around the time that the current All Star celebration was going on. Back to back years Novak and Brooks won the men's 3-pt contest at the College All-American All-Star fest thing, and then proceeded to lose in a heads-up matchup against the winner of the women's 3-pt contest that same day. Go Rockets!
Novak was the only one to guard Julian Wright in the last game. He is FINALLY an NBA player. And if you score 3, and give up 2....you are still +1. DD
He is so horrible at every other aspect of the game that he can't really play any position, so they put him wherever there is little else needed. He is such a deadly shooter that its okay to miss a few rebounds or slip ups on defense when he's there. The nets often play 4s who can't do much or an unatheletic 3 like boki so it was a good game for him to play in. There are some other games he just won't be able to play in. He is the embodiment of anyone getting a job in the NBA as long as they can shoot.
Hopefully Steve Novak gains more and more confidence since his shooting is amazing. I remember hearing about Adelman telling him that if he kept pump faking and not shooting he would pull him out! So he should feel good right now.
Peja was a European/Greek League MVP twice before he got to the NBA. He played with PAOK in Greece. Peja is a better athlete, he is quicker, better defensively and he handles the ball much better. If he can be 3 quarters of Peja, he can really help this team. I like Novakaine comming off of screens and shooting
yeah, jvg would hav benched Lebron his rookie year. More importantly about steve novak, had he not hit that 3 point shot against sac for the win. If he had not, our streak ends with 7. Assuming we win since then, it would be an 11 game win streak. Steve is the reason we are now able to make history in the next 2 games. http://www.nba.com/games/20080213/SACHOU/recap.html
Steve Novak is 3 for sure. I dont care if he was 7'0 , I wouldnt have him at the 4 spot. He is just too weak. I would like to see him get some Corner Threes ala Battier. I think that is the easiest spot on the floor. Novak has been playing well of late when the Rockets need offense but I wouldnt put him in long stretches unless Hayes and Battier are on the floor cleaning up his mess lol.
Beat me to the punch. For all the talk about Peja being unathletic and lacking defense, he definitely is stronger in those two categories than Novak, and probably stronger than Novak can ever hope to be. Even Boki is more athletic than Novak, our original skinny white guy shooter type. Still, if Novak can continue to hit shots off of screens and step backs, that puts him at a notch better than your standard three point marksman, meaning he'll be able to find a niche.
sorry, but steve has done that many times before in college, i've seen it tons since i went to a big east school while he was still in college.....he actually slashed a lot more in college cause it was easier obviously.
