http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865615640/Steve-Novak-relishes-his-latest-Madison-Square-Garden-moment.htmlNEW YORK — If you do the math, the Utah Jazz would’ve lost Friday night’s thrilling 102-100 win over the New York Knicks if it weren’t for Steve Novak.
The former New York player got a rare chance to play for the Jazz, and his 3-point shot, one oh-so-familiar to Knicks fans, technically ended up being the difference between a one-point loss and a two-point win.
Novak wouldn’t want to take away the spotlight from teammate Trey Burke’s game-winning jumper or from Gordon Hayward’s huge battle against Carmelo Anthony.
But the 31-year-old was thrilled to play minutes that mattered in a win once again at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s always special for me. Even before I was here, playing in the Garden is a special thing,” Novak said. “Because of my time here, I love coming back, there's no question. The fans here are great. There’s an energy in this building, there always has been. When LeBron comes here and Kobe comes here, they lace up a little bit tighter and they always give their best when it's this building. This city just brings out the best in most people.”
Because the Knicks didn’t have big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani and played some small ball, Jazz coach Quin Snyder was forced to match New York’s small-ball lineup.
That meant more time for forwards Trevor Booker (21 minutes) and Novak (nine minutes) than usual and fewer minutes for starting power forward Enes Kanter (12 minutes).
Booker responded with four points, seven rebounds and two blocks before fouling out. Novak hit a 3-pointer and grabbed a rebound after having only played six minutes in the past five games.
“We’ve talked about there’s going to be a stretch of games where he doesn’t play and there’s going to be moments, situations or games where suddenly it’s a good fit,” Snyder said of Novak. “And tonight was one of those moments. I thought he did a really good job. He got a good rebound late in the game and obviously made a big shot for us too.”
Teammate Joe Ingles teased Novak about that 3-pointer, telling the Jazz’s oldest player that he should’ve done the Aaron Rodgers championship belt move he did after draining deep shots as a New York player from 2011-13.
“The belt comes up by itself,” Novak said, smiling. “I don’t control it.”
Novak, now in his ninth NBA season, is trying to maintain a positive attitude about something else he doesn’t control: playing time. He’s only played in six of the Jazz’s 10 games and for just 25 total minutes.
Now with his seventh NBA team, Novak said he’s learned to be patient in situations like this. Panicking or complaining won’t solve anything. Instead, he keeps fine-tuning his game and helping younger Jazz players with theirs.
“You just have to continue to work and be ready and know that your opportunity is going to come. That’s really my mindset right now,” said Novak, the only Jazz player older than 27.
“That and the fact that I think that we have a group that is young and very much developing. I think that as a veteran, as someone who has been through so many more years than a lot of these guys, I am able to be a veteran leader, someone who can be in guys’ ears, someone who can help guys with certain things throughout the whole year.”
His coach loves that about him.
“It’s hard to play a lot of bigs, but what he does is give us a great veteran presence and someone that all the players respect,” Snyder said at Friday morning’s shootaround.
“(That) gives him an opportunity to be in a leadership role. Obviously, he’s a weapon that any NBA team would love to have. … His role on our team is a significant one beyond what he’s doing in the game.”
As for Kanter, Snyder remained positive about the 6-11 big man, who had six points and five rebounds in limited action Friday.
"Enes is working, getting better," Snyder said. "We just want to see him keep doing that. Tonight was just one of those matchup nights at that position. That's a tough position in the NBA."
