Have we all forgotten about our other rookie, Steve Novak? I haven't read anything about him in a long while, even from fellow BBSer's. It seems like noone cares about him anymore... Where does he even fit in our future plans? I'm pretty sure he won't ever be a starter PF, maybe a back-up PF but we already have Chuck Hayes - who will be here for a long time I'm thinking (because I think we'll keep him for cheap and he seems loyal enough since we're the team that gave him a chance). So is Novak always going to be a 5-minute guy? Since we're on topic about the future: What position should we use our draft picks for? I highly doubt we draft a PG, since we already have 2 projects there. Shooting guard? Well, I might consider that because I think this is all Luther Head is going to be (IMO, we should trade Luther as soon as we can find another 3 pt threat), and Kirk Snyder's here for just one more year... who knows what with this guy since he's been on 3 teams in his 3-year career. In this case I'd go for Morris Almond, if he's available. Small Forward? Hmm... this got me thinking, who is Battier's back-up anyway? I'm not sure if we need to draft someone for this position considering Battier may never miss a game. Power Forward? If we draft a PF, then that means either Chuck or Novak has to go. Juwan could... but we'd have no veteran at this position, and JVG won't allow it. Center? Mutombo will most likely be back and we have T-Sak. Though hopefully Mutombo maintains his skill level for next year and Yao doesn't go down again. I'd probably use the 2nd rounder for a center. So all in all, I really have no clue how Novak will be used in our rotation... ever. And we should trade Luther soon and use the MLE or LLE on a back-up PG.
I hope Novak could be Padgett with a better stroke. But right now he's not even close to become a better rebounder and defender than Padgett.
roy hibbert would be a good backup. has a nice outside stroke to go along with a 7'2 275lb body. derrick byars from vandy would be a nice backup for shane. he can do it all. josh howard type player. 6'7 220lbs with range. 26 points today against kentucky. morris almond...shouldnt have to explain for him. can stroke it from 3 and drive to the hole. would be a good 6th man backup for tmac and battier. ronald steele. ive already caught flack for him in the draft forum, but he can hit open 3's and he can run an offense. we've seen how stagnant the offense is when rafer is out of the lineup. he's more of a high 2nd round pick, but he's the best fit for this team out of all the PG's expected to enter the draft.
Novak was given a chance earlier in the season IIRC... but he played absolutely no defense, apparently doesn't know how to box out, and couldn't knock down open threes, which is what he was brought in to do. He really needs to work on his game, especially on the defensive end. So far it has not translated to the NBA level at all.
He could be a Bullard. Right now tho....he is not ready. While Bull sucked horribly at D he at least had an idea what he was doing. He will see the rotation next year.
Trade Luther? That's crazy talk. Just sign Steve Blake or Travis Diener for the backup PG role or Steve Francis if he's waived or follow up on the Mike James deal. Using the 2nd round pick (I thought they'd traded that away?) on a C is just throwing it away. Just pick Cato up for the vet's min. Re-visit that Lucas for Kleiza deal then have a look at Matt Carroll or Matt Barnes for that much needed offense off the bench and that'll be close to it for free agency.
He's talking about Novak in last year's draft. On topic: Novak has a future. He's just got to put it all together defensively. We see how nice it is with Chuck paying next to Yao and he can't shoot worth a lick. If Novak's gonna play, he's going to have to bring more to the table than just a jumpshot.
I'd suggest trading juwon in the offseason for mike james if we could get free agent to be Auston Croshere for around 4-5 mil a year for 3 yrs.
re: croshere, rockets don't need another broken body on the roster. enough with the injured players already.
