http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/trai...tein_marc&id=2632901&univLogin02=stateChanged 4. Nothing has changed: What I said during summer-league play stands. Second-rounder Steve Novak is still my favorite rookie in the league. I realize I'm bypassing 30 guys drafted before him and overlooking a lot of the holes in Novak's game, particularly his ability to defend well enough in the NBA to stay on the floor. But I can't help it. The general decline in perimeter shooting -- and especially perimeter shooters coming through the draft -- is such that when you see a bomber like Novak, automatic from my favorite spot in the corner, it's impossible not to fawn over him. Impossible for me, anyway. That's why I was so happy to see McGrady come out recently and say that Novak "is the best shooter I've ever seen" and that T-Mac "doesn't care if he can do anything else." Very reassuring, as was the Rockets' decision to give Novak a three-year contract. See? It's not just me. My favorite moment in the preseason so far, actually, occurred in the Rockets' otherwise unwatchable exhibition opener against Memphis. McGrady worked the ball to Novak on the wing and broke into a big smile before the shot even went up, because he knew it was down. Such moments are not out of the question in the regular season, either, because Novak is going to play. The Rockets ranked 27th last season in 3-point percentage and are desperate for shooters to loosen up things for McGrady and Yao, which is why they also have Casey Jacobsen in camp and is one of the reasons why they signed summer-league season John Lucas III, a point guard with a nice outside touch. There's more good news for Novak fans: You can definitely notice his teammates looking for him when he's out there. "I think we would test the imagination if we shot worse than last season," Van Gundy said. Seems like last season's suffering is going to pay off this year for the Rockets
yeah i think novak has one sweet release...man you can't stop but look when he shoots. thank the lord that i was able to get a chance to sit 2 rows from the players bench (opposite side to the players) novak is > reddick k thx
Sooooo basically Stein stole Clutch's quote from an interview he had with tmac? give credit where credit is due man
He will have to make a ridiculous amount of 3s to win ROY. If shooting 3's is all he does, I don't see it. Hopefully, he'll prove me wrong.
I was more shocked by JVG saying Novak's "one of the best shooters in the NBA" before he's even played a real game. Yet if you've seen this guy shoot... If he hit's 43% from 3 pt. land this year people will be tearing into him about his overall game but he's more than a keeper. It would more than likely take a god-awful occurance for this to happen, but I'd love to see us start a couple of second round drafted rookies in the same game with T-Mac, Yao and Battier and see the end result. It's a story waiting to happen.
I think Brandon Roy is going to be the ROY. Maybe Bargnani but, Novak's contributions will be invaluable for this team. Imagine the option of in successive shifts you could switch out Novak with Padgett and not miss a beat .. priceless result. Man, if some things gel for this team its scary how dangerous a threat to SA much less Fallas we can become. Break out the 'three ball, booyah' calls Stewy Scott. Novak will definitely get noticed this year. Gotta love it! Finally, a draft pick coming out, rolling out of bed and he can 'ball'. Definitely HAS game!
Nice read. Tracy will be instrumental in getting Novak those wide open shots when other teams starting playing real defense. Novak has little chance to win rookie of the year if both Yao and Tracy remain healthy. It would take a miracle for him to average 10 shots per game.
havent got to watch a game yet but that dude must really be able to shoot. and in the 2nd round wow, thats a deal for 3-4 years of a contract
if the guy is making 45% of his 3's it will be very difficult to keep him on the bench. but your right not enough to win ROY. alston should get double digit assists this year i would think.
If you haven't watched a game yet, then just watch these highlights from the Bucks game, starting from the 1:50 mark. His form and release is absolutely textbook perfect: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8-BahuFya9M"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8-BahuFya9M" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-BahuFya9M
I wouldn't be suprised if he plays for the All-Star Rookie team this year. We always seem to have a rookie representing. Hell, I even think Rodrick Rhodes played in 98. Somebody tally up the Rooks we've sent to All-Star weekend.
That means he'd be our third option. Outside of Tmac and Yao, only Rafer and Juwan had double digit shot attempts last year with 11.7/game and 10.7/game, respectively. And that's only because Tmac and Yao missed significant time, forcing role players to take on the offensive load. But let's assume he does get 10 shots/game, all 3's (unrealistic). At 45% shooting (optimistic), he'd get 13.5ppg. Some other rookie is going to get that and contribute in other, significant ways. He has no shot, but he has a shot of being very good for this team and that's good enough.
ROY? Not gonna happen. JVG's system won't let a rookie get that many shots, and its already hard enough for a player that doesn't create alot of shots to get them. With the addition of Battier and Bonzi, and JVG expecting Battier to carry more of the offensively load I would be surprised if Novak can get more then 5 shots a game.
