Dream to play in the NBA, has been shooting NBA 3's. Understands shooting is what he does best, worked hard for it. Wants to be a complete player and works on it in the offseason, its his ultimate goal to be a complete player. Ball starts inside, having Yao knows he is the best passing big men in the league. Had 41 pts and 16 against UConn. Shot 97% from FT line. Raised in the gym, dad is a high school coach. Been shooting in the gym alot of the time. FT's win games, you're supposed to make them, its free. Grew up in Milwaukee. Bucks fan. Remembers Rockets' championship years pretty well. Calls Keem a legend. Watches Dwyane Wade. Looks up to Dirk Nowitzki, tries to mimic him. Wants to separate himself from the thousands and thousands of players. 300 jumpshots a day. Happy to be picked by Houston, couldn't have been in a better situation.
i think hell be a nice addition to our team comming off the bench and shootting them threes so that we can spread the floor. and when the games on the line bring him in 97% free throw shooter!
This is great to hear! So many players now days simply stop (seriously) working on their craft once the make it to the NBA.
http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Novak_Introduction-183577-822.html HOUSTON - Somewhere between seeing his name pop up on a television screen at the NBA Draft and celebrating with about 150 friends and family inside Mo’s Irish Pub in Milwaukee, Steve Novak realized that the Houston Rockets had just given him a new job. Delivery boy. “I’m the only rookie so I’ll probably be doing a lot of doughnut runs,” Novak said. “I imagine I’ll also be carrying everyone’s bags on my own.’’ He might even fit in a little shooting. On Friday, the Rockets introduced Novak at a press conference with the hope that their newest addition will bring the shooting range that they have lacked on the perimeter. The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter, who was taken by the Rockets with the second pick of the second round, finished his college career as Marquette’s all-time career leader in made three-pointers. Novak made 50.5 percent of his three-point attempts last season en route to averaging 17.5 points per game. The Rockets are hoping Novak will immediately contribute as a three-point specialist and expose defenses for doubling either Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming. “We’re very happy to welcome him to the Rockets,” general manager Carroll Dawson said. “He is a great shooter. He has a little bit of an advantage over other guys in the draft because they ran as close to a pro offense at Marquette as anybody.” Novak began perfecting his shooting form in the eighth grade. He spent hours draining jump shots on his family’s drive way in Brown Deer, Wis. until the drive way was deemed an unfitting spot for a future NBA three-point specialist. Mike Novak, Steve’s father and Brown Deer’s high school basketball coach, built a half court in the back yard so that his son wouldn’t have to shoot on the uneven sloped surface of the drive way. The coach’s son wouldn’t leave the court until he made 300 jump shots. “Layups didn’t count,” Novak said with a grin. After playing for his father in high school, Novak moved on to Marquette and helped the Golden Eagles reach the Final Four in 2003 with future NBA draft choices Dwayne Wade and Travis Diener. Novak became one of the nation’s elite shooters, finishing with higher shooting percentages than Duke star J.J. Redick as a senior. “He was one of the best shooters in the draft,” Dawson said. Novak eventually wants to be viewed as more than a shooter. He admits that he needs to become stronger and gain some quickness to become a better defender. He also wants to add more dimensions to his offensive game. During his senior season at Marquette, Novak used his size to post up smaller players and became more comfortable with his back to the basket. He’ll need to add more bulk to his frame to become an effective post-up player in the NBA. “I’ve become much more comfortable over the last few years with my back to the basket,” Novak said. “Once I gain more strength, I’ll be able to do more of that in the NBA.” He can get to work as soon as he picks up the breakfast pastries.
Thanks for the recap! The kid is my favorite now. Can't wait to see his action on court. If JVG doesn't play him, look for me to start Fire Gundy thread.
Yep, I like this guy. He will definitely help us right away. Now if we can convince Gansey to come to our summer league we will have picked up the best shooters not named Redick in the draft. Add Battier and James to that and we just went from one of the worst shooting teams to one of the best. Still need some muscle at PF/C. I am still pissed about the draft and I hate the fact that West is celebrating in Memphis at our expense... but the Rockets look to be moving in the right direction. So Rockets come tomorrow get off your butts and make it happen and make us forget about this draft nightmare.
I hope he makes the team. It sounds like he'll make the team, but hoping he's as least as good as Dirk? Umm....
Thats funny.. I'll settle for Scott Padgett and then we wouldn't have to resign him. Novak could be an important piece, shooting can be learned and it sounds like he has done everything to learn to be a shooter. If he has reasonable consistency and is not as streaky as Damon Jones or Jamal Crawford then he might be our 6'10" JJ Redick.
Novak's stats of FG% ( 3P and FT % as well) are better than Reddick. If I recall correctly he missed about 18 Ft's in his career ( a 90+ percent FT shooter). I would sign Richie Frahm as out other 3 Point weapon ( for Cheap!) That way we have Battier, Luther, Novak and Frahm ( Sounds like a law firm already!) who can nail down those open 3 's , not to mention our Free Agent SG who should drain some of those as well!
Love his shot, BB IQ and attitude. Can he play D enough to stay on the court for 10-15 minutes per game? He should be somewhere between Bullard and Dunleavy imo.
Can't figure out why folks keep forgetting who coaches the Rockets. Those of us who live in Austin will provide updates.
