The clips don't show what is happening at the present time, just isolated plays where he is shooting the three pointer but before JVg started to change Novaks game. JVG has insisted that Novak become a much better defensive player and that he should be able to switch and guard multiple players, as a specialist offensive player this means Novak taking on significant new roles which are distracting him from his purpose. Because of his inabilities and being a rookie JVG has been reluctant to give him game time playing experience. This means that he never gets enough playing time to get into his stroke, but concentrates on all the things that JVG wants him to do. The result is a player who coming into the NBA knew his role being changed into a confused pine sitter. When JVG gives him lets say two mins. playing time he hardly ever goes and gets set up on the three point line but follows JVGs instruction trying to draw/distract players away from others who are shooting. All this has caused his team mates to have a lack of confidence in his ability and they now hardly ever pass him the ball.[These are my observations] By the way I am a big fan of Steve Novak and believe that with coaching which develops he best attributes he will be the best three point shooter in the NBA.
Wait, are you saying that trying to play defense, set picks, and rebound are asking too much of a player? JVG has Yao Ming do all those things, and somehow it has not affecting his scoring ability. I like Novak, and I am confident that he will improve his shooting back to his standards. It is ridiculous to me to blame Van Gundy for a player missing wide open shots that are his specialty. Its not as if JVG is asking Novak to guard Kobe Bryant for 40 minutes a night, ala Battier. Maybe Van Gundy should just have Novak stay at the three point line at all times. Not even change ends of the court for defense. Then maybe he will not waste all of his energy doing pointless things like running, setting picks, and rebounding. Its not his job to play defense anyway. Leave that to the other 4 players on the court. (please note sarcasm above)
For Pete's sake his shooting 32% from the field and 26% from 3 land. He will get more PT when he shows he can shoot versus NBA defenders playing real NBA games giving him NBA (miniscule) space and comfort in getting his shot off--which is vastly different from preseason, summer league, and every other basketball game or scrimmage played throughout the world. VSpan's adjustment from tearing up top level international ball to being a lost player is similarly indicative. It isn't his confidence, it is his adjustments to the real speed, closeness and physicality of the NBA game that needs work. I hope he can adjust and find a place as a regular rotation bench player, but it isn't certain. Remember Danny Ferry was a marginal NBA player, yet he was a much more talented version of Novak with 100X the college resume.
Dude need to shoot. That's the single reason he was on the court. So shoot it. He is long and got a quick release. He probably will knock down a lot of shots with hands in his face. Just need to knock down a few to build confidence. missed 3 in a row, who cares? how about another 3 attempt? Go get it! Of couse I agree he should not do that at the critical time, but he should not be on the court at critical moments anyways. Look at Head. He dare to shoot! Even in this rookie year. For a shooter, even missing is your contribution to the team. Because if you do not shoot, a number of guys on the bench should play instead of you!
he is getting more mins, yes i know he missed a couple 3, he is the second round rookie. it takes time! i think JVG is doing the right thing!
I was thinking about his shooting. Langhi was a great shooter but could not make a shot in game. Novak looks like he is doing the same now, missing open shots which a shooter like him should be almost automatic. Some guys just can't adjust to the pressure in real NBA games. I hope Novak isn't like that. I hope it's just a slump or a rookie adjustment. You guys who make it like Novak is a worthless scrub, remember before the season opener, JVG almost hinted that STARTING Novak was not out of the question. You think JVG didn't know Novak's deficiency? Why would he even entertain the possibility of Novak being a major contributor if Novak was such a talentless (except shooting) scrub like you think?
What about catch and shoot? Seriously, like 2 or 3 plays a game where someone sets a screen for him to get open, catch, and shoot. I'd like to think he would be capable of doing that. If he's not, then ignore everything I said in this thread. I was wrong.
