Novak report: all shot, little D http://www.houstonchronicle.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4034017.html Rockets have a 3 musketeer in long-range ace from Marquette By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle LAS VEGAS - There will be hard lessons to learn, tough matchups and all kinds of dues to pay that go far beyond being the lone Rockets rookie forced to deliver practice gear and carry balls next season. Steve Novak did not last until the second round because he is a ready-made NBA force. But there is plenty of time for all that. For now, there is Novak's shot. It really is something to see. It's smooth and quick and remarkably consistent. His feet are always, it seems, just right to launch a jumper. Even when he pump fakes, there is no hint of a tell to reveal what he has in mind. Above all that, there is an unshakable faith that he will be on target. "You come out every day, and you shoot to make them," Novak said. "You don't shoot to miss." The Rockets drafted Novak for his shot and the potential to build the rest of his game around it. Then he lit up the first few days of summer league — in his first game, the only 3s he missed in six attempts were two rushed toward the rim to beat the shot clock. He offered further evidence of why he was Marquette's all-time 3-point shooting leader and the 32nd player taken in last month's draft. Range finder A 50.5 percent shooter from the college 3-point line last season, he hit 60 percent of his 3s in his first two days gunning from the NBA arc. By Saturday's third game, he and nearly everyone else on the floor had cooled off. Guard John Lucas continued to roll, scoring 23 with Pat Carroll adding 15 in a 73-58 win over the cold-shooting Cavaliers. Novak made three of seven 3s (and four of 12 shots overall) for his 13 points, and he hit his last two shots to offer a reminder of his ability and confidence. "Obviously, when he rises up, he has tremendous belief that it's going in," Rockets assistant head coach and summer league coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He knows how to get it of quickly. "He's very good with the shot fake, one dribble and pull-up. He showed all those things. Obviously, he has a lot of poise and confidence for a young player." A few days shooting his way around summer league has not reduced what Thibodeau called "a long process" for Novak to be ready to defend NBA forwards or to handle defensive responsibilities that so often determine playing time for young players. Taking on the big boys "His attitude and approach are very refreshing," Thibodeau said. "He realizes this is a process. This isn't the NBA. There's a whole different level once you get to NBA camp. "Obviously he's a great shooter, a very confident offensive player. Defensively, he's a work in progress. He's very analytical. He looks at things he does wrong and wants to improve. The big thing is knowing what defensive responsibilities he has. And then individually, he's trying to figure it out. "His shooting is his obvious strength, but there is more he can do in rebounding, help, using his length to an advantage, getting the proper cushion. He's more than just a shooter. In he first two games, he did not have a turnover handling it a lot. But it's a long process." For now, however, it might be enough for Novak — a 6-10 forward — to show what is possible. As much as he is blessed with the confidence of a shooter, he demonstrated to himself that he was not out of place. "I've been very happy with how things have gone so far," Novak said. "You never know until you get into it. When you talk about going to the next level, you never know if you will be able to compete, if it's better than you think. "If you learn one thing about playing at this level, if you're not confident, you don't have a chance. I have a lot of things I need to do. But the last week and half or so have gone well." That brings him back around to shooting, where every shot appears certain to fall, and he seems more convinced it will. "As soon as the thought enters your mind that you might miss the shot, 99 percent of the time you will miss the shot," Novak said. "If you believe, the percentages go up and up and up."
"As soon as the thought enters your mind that you might miss the shot, 99 percent of the time you will miss the shot," Novak said. "If you believe, the percentages go up and up and up." o wow, i learned something...
You know you've got a great shooter when shooting 3 of 7 from behind the arc is considered "cooling off".
Novak sounds so Bullardesque. The shooting, the pump fake, the little D. HAHAHAHA. We couldn't have won those titles without him.
That's weird. You'd think that if the title of it is "All shot, little D" there would be more mention of his lacking defense. All they mentioned was that he needs to work on it and isn't that true for all young players? I expected more insight as to what problems he's having defensively, what areas he's expected to improve in, what areas they feel he can't improve in because of physical limitations, etc. Instead, he tells us he's a great shooter but he needs to work on his defense. Thanks for nothing!
He sounds like a steal for the second round, but don't forget that this is summer league, where NBA scrubs often look like all stars.
His struggles on defense include his footwork (moving and sliding his feet properly), strength and quickness (reaction time). These are part of his scouting report. I expect him to improve under JVG, if not he would struggle to see consistent minutes in his NBA career.
If Novak can hit 6 of 8 from 3 on any given night, he can flop around the court like Bowen on D for all I care.
Exactly my thinking. This kid's shot must be bonkers. It seems he might be less and less like a Matt Bullard and more and more like a Kyle Korver
I hope he enters the 3 point contest this year. The Rockets need some representation in those All-Star Weekend events. We could of had a player in the Dunk contests too, but we all know how that went.
That is my worry 1. If JVGs regiment of defense will affect his shot -See Piatkowski 2. JVG won't put him on the floor 3. JVG will get in his head amd undermine his confidence Rocket River
