Double tru. Novak can shoot, but his footwork and lateral movement on defense is horrendous. If he played with the heart of Ryan Bowen (Ryan can't move, but man, you know he's trying his best) then he'll deserve to get more PT. But he's a defensive liability and looks lost out there at times on rotations.
Comparing Novak to Bird is absurd at this point. Being athletic doesn't guarantee anything. I'd argue Sto Swift is more athletic than a lot of cats, but IQ and effort are a huge part of the game. Some people are just gifted, ala, a 6'4" Barkley. Bird's work ethic was legendary and his competitive nature was second to none. He had no mercy. Novak has a ways to go, but he can develop and fit into the system and get more PT with more work.
Why would anyone try to compare Novak to Bird except that he's white. Bird was drafted 6th in the 1978 draft. Umm where was Novak drafted? Bird was an incredible passer, shot maker, defensive player and had uncanny balance. Novak is no Bird
Whoa, whoa. Chuck Hayes deserves his PT. Luther Head, not so much. Hayes is undersized and still rebounds, plays great D, hustles. He may not be a good scorer, but he brings ALOT off the bench. Peja doesn't play D and he's still okay, so it can't be THAT important! (sarcasm)
How in heck does this thread get 2 stars? The moment you guys compare Novak to Bird, this thread should get dropped off the face of this earth. Compare a top 50 player all-time, argueingly top 5, with Steve Novak, who does not get off the bench for the Rockets, a team who needs shooters?!!
Novak's defense issue has been exaggerated. He made fewer mistakes than TMac did on average. Rocket needs to develop strategies to strengthen Novak's threaten role.
I don't know, whenever I watch him he looks completely lost. Although I do remember thinking he did a good job on Kyle Korver once. I love Novak, and I hope he makes it, but whenever we play against Peja and Korver (the two players Novak should aspire to be) it amazes me how much more athletic they both look than Novak.
I think the Rockets staff has done everything that can to develop him. The problem is, he *does* get chances, but during important parts of the game, he misses. If he misses, what else is he good for?
Steve Novak is Peja jr. Peja is very effective for the Hornets because Chris Paul gets penetration which collapses defense and leaves Peja open for a 3pt shot. Peja cant hardly do anything except shoot the 3 but he is still an effective player based purely on his long distance shooting. Novak can shoot the with similar proficiency to Peja. If the Rockets can get penetration Novak would be a very valuable addition to the team. He does need to get stronger and improve his defense/rebounding.
This post is simple , but is filled with absolute truth. It is an unbiased post. No dreams or hopes , just TRUTH!!
i agree about his D lacking bad, but this guy's shot is sick!!! def don't give him up in any trades, our scouts found a good one with him
novak is a player of its own, there is no one in the nba that have his ability to shoot and the inability to defend. I find it shocking that having a coach as a dad, having one of the most defensive minded coach in the history of the NBA, and he still have that type of defense, if you could call it that. Defense is all about experience, instinct and hustle, physical aspect is bonus but not the most important aspect, you need to have the correct mindset to play defense. He will improve defensively with more playing time, but he will never be good at it. Hoping for novak to play good defense is like hayes shooting 3p at 40%, its never going to happen. All that being said, novak can survive in the league as he have a skill set that is better than 90% of the league, and his ineffectiveness can be minimized by having a good shot blocker at the paint.
Hey Steve Novak, you know what you look like to me, with your good bag and your cheap shoes? You look like a rube. A well scrubbed, hustling rube with a little taste. Good nutrition's given you some length of bone, but you're not more than one generation from poor white trash, are you, Steve Novak? And that accent you've tried so desperately to shed: pure Wisconsin. What is your father, dear? Is he a coal miner? Does he stink of the lamp? You know how quickly the clutchfan members found you... all those tedious sticky fumblings in the back seats of cars... while you could only dream of getting out... getting anywhere... getting all the way to the Rockets regular rotation!
