I think he will be a rotational player this year, someone who at least does the Jon Barry 12 minutes a game routine, maybe more if he thrives. DD
Nothing against Novak but no chance in hell. Van Gundy will go and pick up someone 30+ with a vet minimum. Bank on it.
JVG said talked non-stop last year about needing a PF "with range". How that's so important to an offense. Yeah, the defense is probably weak, but I can't imagine JVG not playing him. I have a feeling that JVG is trying to get on the good side of the Rockets management, and it appears they took Novak specifically because he brings what JVG said was lacking last year. If he decided not to play him, I don't think they'd be very happy about that.
Im beginning to wonder, depending on whether we get Mike James or another SG, whether Battier will be our 4 for a third the time allowing us to stretch defenses out and prevent teams from doubling down on Yao. Also, Battier should be quite useful in setting picks and coming off the roll with T-mac. This team, because of Battier's versatility, can show a lot of looks-- and that is true even with our complete lack of depth right now pre-FA.
GATER, do yourself a favor. Step away from the keyboard, forget about the Rockets and remember what it is you love about life. I agree completely that this trade has really hurt the teams depth and athleticism, but its not worth all the negativity. Maybe Van Gundy pulled the trigger on this, maybe he didn't, but if you love the Rockets as much as me, you'll be back on the bandwagon come pre-season.
Actually, word on the street is Wesley Person. And since Wes played a few years in Memphis, Jerry West has offered to broker the deal in a Sign and Trade or Person for Luther Head and our next years' 1 rounder.
Probably hard for you to undertstand but outside of music and being a musician...Rockets are/were the next passion. Thanks for the thought.
He scored 41 pts against Rudy Gay and Co. Wow, I wished we drafted the next T-Mac. Rudy will be great on my fantasy team in about 3 years.
He's light in the pants, can't guard anyone, hell we should have kept Scot Padget. It's the same old Rocket story, we pass on athletes to select stiff 3 point shooters. I'm officially a nobody's fan.
Ok, I can empathize. But remeber, Battier does fit this team like a glove (even though we lose swift and have to retain howard) and there are still multiple moves available to complete us. por ejemplo: James or Cassel - full mle (Cassel = 2 yrs grtd. 1 yr team opt) Cato or Padgett - vet min or Vass Spanky for part of the mle with a reggie evans as the rest. In other words, although it looks dark, there is still light.
JVG said in an interview that you draft offense and teach defense. He also mentioned that the team needs are shooting, shooting, and shooting. After seeing this pick and listening to his statements prior to the draft, I think that he will be more than willing to give Novak a fair shake. Everybody needs to get over this whole "JVG does not play rookies" idea. If the kid can play and not be a liability on the floor while playing to his strengths, he will get plenty of minutes. Seeing that he played for an old friend of JVG and played in a system similar to what they run in the NBA. I think he has a pretty good chance of getting some PT. For the most part alot of folks really need to not let their negative feelings toward the Battier trade spill over onto the Novak pick.
That's a good idea actually. He is smart enough and has enough BBall skills to be able to handle last minute pressure.
I like the fact that he is *already* better than Matt Bullard ... he can run around a little bit, come off screens, and shoot off the dribble/fadeaway shots. And in a few years, he could put on some weight, become a decent defender and become a valuable rotation player (if we're lucky, even a starter)...what's not to like? It's also nice to know that going into next season, we will be able to fill up the court with great shooters during crunch time situations - Luther Head, T-Mac, Battier, Novak, Yao Ming. How do you defend against that?
I love the Novak pick at 32, I think if he busts his ass on D (ala RyBo he will see the court at least as much as Barry did)...because the man can put the ball in the basket. As I recall...that is the object of the game. plus...I love the irony that he put up 41 against Gay and co.
