Novak's Summer league

[muarmy81]

I don't see that anyone has posted this yet,
http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700024

Steve started last night and played over 30 minutes, had 7 pts and 5 boards but shot the ball terribly (2-10)

[spartan3186]

He also started at C... i thought that was kind of... interesting

[mosarsour]

I don't see that anyone has posted this yet,
http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700024

Steve started last night and played over 30 minutes, had 7 pts and 5 boards but shot the ball terribly (2-10)

Yeah, but we all know that tonight Steve will turn it around and shoot the lights out tonight...

[muarmy81]

I don't see that anyone has posted this yet,
http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=1520700024

Steve started last night and played over 30 minutes, had 7 pts and 5 boards but shot the ball terribly (2-10)

Yeah, but we all know that tonight Steve will turn it around and shoot the lights out tonight...

I hope so, i think he could be a contibutor in Adelman's offense

[MU Chi_IL]

From Marc Stein's Column
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2932441&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

My favorite shooter: Belinelli
Marco Belinelli

Belinelli's shooting has been one of the Vegas hightlights.

No contest. Again.

But I should note that my favorite rookie from the class of '06 -- Houston's Steve Novak -- just got here. And I haven't seen him play yet, because the Rockets' only game so far conflicted with Tuesday night's China-Knicks game.

So we'll see . . . although Novak (gulp) shot 1-for-7 on 3-pointers in his debut.

It's a big summer for Novak, too, since he barely played for Jeff Van Gundy after wowing folks in Vegas last summer with his ability to get his shot off and drain 3 after 3.

Novak again brings good size and a quick release to the desert. Every team in today's NBA, furthermore, loves the idea of a 6-10 forward who can stretch the floor with Novak-type range. Yet Novak knows he won't get more playing time next year, under Rick Adelman, if he can't figure out how to stay on the floor defensively. It hasn't happened yet.

[77ncaachamps]

Just checked out ESPN's NBA page...video highlights of the Rockets game vs the Mavs.

Very disappointing.

Novak can be seen getting beat on defense, dribbling the ball away (or getting pick), and hovering around the 3 pt line while Brooks drives.

Novak's line: 5-15 FG, 3-9 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 REB, 0 AST, 6 PF, 3 TO, 15 PTS
He played the second highest number of minutes on the team and finished as the third leading scorer.

A BIG setback for "Bomber".

[spiral97]

I watched about 2/3rds of that game.. While his overall numbers looked average at best and I agree that there was entirely too much standing around for me (by nearly everyone on the court), he had a couple of positives:
1.) When the Rockets (down by around 13 points) went on a 6ish minute 16-3 run, he was key in it hitting back to back threes, making a steal, grabbing a board, making the extra pass, and generally setting screens to free up other players.
2.) He nearly dunked on Pops Mensah-Bonsu (!?!) but got fouled and came away with 2 shots made from the charity stripe.

That said, he needs to step up a bit, make the shots to prove he's a shooter, want the ball to prove he's ready for minutes (too much passing from good shot opportunities - if you pass to help another player that player gets good stats and you look average), and be smartly aggressive (no standing around on either end of the court, use your minutes!).

[mviale]

needs to be more aggressive is key - he is unable to manufacture his own pts and relies on the mercy of his passing teammates.

[Bling]

novak w/ 14pts so far, made 3 3pts in a row

[77ncaachamps]

Friday's line: 5-11 FG, 3-5 3FG, 4-4 FT, 4 REB, 1 AST, 4 PF, 2 TO, 17 PTS
Again, second highest minutes played on the team (32:06) and the second leading scorer to Brooks's 27 points.

Why are they still playing him at the Center position?

Is he the tallest starter on the team?

I think that's really affecting his output as he has very little inside game.

[muwarrior87]

I'd guess they're working on him at center so he could get more minutes next season. We know he doesn't have a great aspect of his game down low and I'm guessing even with his lights out shooting, it makes him a more well rounded player and could get him more minutes.