You're not going to get an argument out of me about Harris, I would have loved to have kept the guy. His release was strictly monetary, I can't see it being any other way. But if I have to choose between Reed (who I watched for four years in college in the SEC and hasn't done anything in the three years since) and Novak (who I also watched in college and is only just starting his second year) I am going to choose Novak. Morey said it best. If a player has something to bring to the game that he excels at then its more likely that he will get time on the court to improve the parts of his game that aren't as impressive. That's Novak to a tee. He has a skill that can get him on the court (maybe not with a defensive specialist like Van Gundy, but with an offensive minded coach like Adelman its possible) Plus Novak is a coaches son... I can't go to practices, but I bet he listens and does exactly what the coaches tell him to do. Also you shouldn't take things so seriously (as indicated by the venomous tone of your post), this is just a discussion about a couple of players that are likely to be catching splinters and not a personal attack
Please - Van Gundy used Novak as his first sub of the entire season last year in the season opener and even gave him a few starts - the problem is that Novak simply couldn't deliver even with his one skill - he just did not appear to be quick enough to get his shot off vs. NBA defenders. I hope some other team still thinks he's salvagable so the Rox can get something out of him.
Oh I agree that his release speed was part of his problem last year. But that wasn't the reason he wasn't playing. He wasn't playing because he looked like a crazy man with his head cut off on defense. Which I am sure drove JVG nuts. Novak was able to get the shots off in preseason last year and would have adjusted to a quicker shot with more time on the court. His shot is still a little bit slower than it could be, but you can see he's improved this year in that regard. I guess I am just too nice about it. The guy isn't going to ever be a superstar, but he has a skill you can't write off after one NBA season of 5.0 min a game. How long did it take Boki to come into his own? How long did it take Micheal Redd? Shoot even Tayshaun Prince came out slow during his rookie year.. but he had a skill that forced the coach to put him on the court, defense. Reed had his chance and couldn't prove he was the better choice. Financially, he would have been because you waive a smaller salary in Novak. So it must have been because of what they see in practice.
I wouldn't be too hopeful. Roster spots are just so tight this year. Udrih has shown a lot more than Novak has, and the Spurs could only get a conditional 2nd rounder for him.
Oh, I'm not very hopeful, I don't expect Novak to be much more than a throw in - the guy just hasn't shown he is an NBA player thus far. But his dim trade value is probably a bit greater than Reed's.
