http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2515040 No mention of Rudy Gay at all... ... My shooting star: Steve Novak Good size. Quick release. Underrated off the dribble and on the move. In this setting, Novak has encountered no trouble getting his shot off and draining 3 after 3. Casey Jacobsen is another perimeter standout so far, which could land him a full-time return to the NBA with Denver or another team. Rockets free agent Pat Carroll, meanwhile, is a left-hander who's been just as hot as Novak. Yet that should tell you that there's something special about the Marquette man ... when the Line vote doesn't go to the lefty. The problem, of course, will be guarding people. If Novak can't check small forwards or power forwards in the NBA -- and it's unclear if he can handle either -- he won't be on the floor to make shots. So it's a little early to say Houston got a certain steal at No. 32. But I'm getting there faster than anticipated, because every team in today's NBA craves a big forward who can stretch the floor with Novak-type range. My top underdog: John Lucas III Top underdog is underselling it, actually. Lucas, at 5-foot-11, has been the best point guard in Vegas. He made it into 13 games with the Rockets last season as a January signee, but what he's doing now virtually guarantees that the son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas will be somebody's third point guard next season. He's an unusually deadly shooter at the point (and at his size) and has clearly learned how to run a team. It's been a pleasure to watch him operate, which is what I hoped I'd be saying about New York's Nate Robinson. Trouble is, Robinson has seemed more interested in showboating than quarterbacking. Larry Brown's departure might have Robinson feeling too free.
It's all stuff we all know but it's nice to here someone in the media acknowledge it. Especially that part about Lucas out performing Nate Robinson a legit NBA small pg.
JVG is very clear in his defensive philosophy. It's a team concept more than an individual responsibility. Granted, Novak will have to get better on defense but is there a rookie that comes into league understanding the speed of the game and how to play D against the best players in the world? No - he'll have to learn how to play and he'll have to learn JVG's concepts. Of course, it's always easier to let people learn when they're draining 3's like layups.
I've heard it said on mulitple occassions that you draft offense and teach defense. O.K. now it's time to put that theory to the test.
Hey Doc, so you're saying we did get the steal of the draft. What are your thoughts on Carroll, summer league fodder or a shot at making the squad?
The Problem is JVG ! If Novac is unable to show a great defence then JVG will just have to use him in his special role- as a three point scoring machine!
Summer league is a lot different from the NBA, some of these guys might look decent in summer league, but won't do anything in the real league. I really doubt Lucas can earn significant playing time with the Rockets.
thats not completely true. When Padgett has been knocking down 3's in the past JVG has allowed him to stay in games for extended periods of time. Same with Jon Berry. Neither of those players were all that good on the defensive side.
this is very true. It is hard to determine sometimes if a players success will carry over into a higher level of play. Having said that, if they were really bad in the summer league then there is little chance that they are going to make it in the NBA. The summer league shows that they do have some skills and should get a shot to further prove if they belong in the NBA in training camp and pre-season. If there performances hold up then maybe we have something.
Totally agree. How does this translate into the NBA. Lonny Baxter had a terrific summer league and only made it in because of injuries, and still didnt play much. I hear alot about players tearing up summer league, then you hardly see them, or dont see them at all during the season. This is defeinely not that exciting unless the guy can put it all together for the team. Novak may be perfect for the Suns system, but lets see what goes on under JVG. This guy wont adjust to the talent he has, he makes them adjust to him
Well no one is really expecting him to earn significant playing time. All the talk is that maybe he can be our 3rd pg. He's got good lineage and exceptional speed, with and without the ball. I'd much rather put him on the roster than stick another retread like Brunson on there.
Well, that's the last thing I want -- using Novac as a three-point scoring machine. I would much rather see him in there as a defensive specialist or a strong post presence.
Thats good to know so there is still a chance that we might see Novac develop into a great player for the Rocks.
Don't expect him to be something that he is not!!! Possibly you are JVG????????? Remember that is why we are still calling for us to get a traditional but athletic Power Forward.
Consider me cautously optimistic. I have been let down so many times by the likes of Boki, Langhi, Griffin, Terrence Morris and on and on that when someone like Novak comes along I have to try to keep my enthusiasm in check.
Correct. JVG soured on Padgett when he started choking and losing his shooting touch. He was stroking it pretty well for a while (even hitting that game winning one-hander against the Knicks) and then just lost it. When a player only has one skill to contribute, it has to be working or they are not a positive influence on the floor. Novak is a rookie and JVG knows his defense won't be very good. But if he tries hard at it, practices hard and shows determination to get better, his shooting will earn him playing time. Simple as that. To the idea JVG doesn't adjust at all to his players: He adjusted to Tracy. He also called for an outside shooting PF and, presto, we draft Novak. I don't recall JVG ever calling for an outside shooting PF in the past. That sounds like an adjustment to me.
Not me. I think we need more shooting. Howard, Bogans and RyBo can do those things (low post game, defense), but having a guy who has a deadly long shot off the bench is important too. Having that guy off the bench who you know will knocked down open shots has a very important value when your O is struggling.
Don't forget that pick #32 originally belonged to the Knicks. Another gift to the league from Isiah Thomas.
I think alot of people underestimate the importance of a successful summer league performance. I am not just talking about 1 good game. But we play 5 games this season and if a player can keep up a solid performance for 5 games enough to make the the all star team and even be considered MVP than in my book that is significant. And that even becomes more significant when you consider that the player is not even under contract. Think about the stress to perform well for the unsigned player... he must impress in the NBA-sponsored summer leagues just to get an invitation to a team's 2006 training camp.... many times going head-to-head against players who already have guaranteed deals. And all the while, he needs to play well enough to impress any international scouts who may be watching, just in case. And if he does manage to perform well and get invited to camp he still faces the challenge of winning a roster spot, for the NBA minimum salary. That's not an easy road and history shows that people who manage to shine under these circumstances not bad bets to continue to shine. Look at last years 1st team all stars... J.R. Smith - NOH Travis Outlaw - POR Sebastian Telfair - POR Dwight Howard - ORL Nate Robinson - NYK Chris Kaman - LAC Luke Jackson - CLE Tony Allen - BOS Jason Maxiell - DET Ike Diogu - GSW Not a bad group to be a part of.
