[Cracked Sidewalks] Novak to D-League

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Novak to D-League
From the Houston Chronicle:

    Second-year forward Steve Novak will be sent to the Rio Grand Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League on Monday, marking the first time the Rockets have used the option to send first- or second-year players to the D-League.

    Novak, 23, a second-round pick out of Marquette, played in 35 games last season, averaging 1.5 points on 35 percent shooting. He has not been on the active roster this season.

    "He hasn't played for quite a while, more than a year," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "We feel he is someone that needs to go out there and play and compete in games. We wanted to send Steve early. He is a guy that needs to have plays called for him, so we wanted him with the coach down there (Bob Hoffman) from the beginning."


Brian Hill from Orlando was fired for not playing Travis. We all know Jeff Van Gundy was fired for not having played Novak last year.

Clearly, this Houston GM is asking to be canned.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2007/11/novak-to-d-league.html

[tomcrean4pres]

Brian Hill from Orlando was fired for not playing Travis.  We all know Steve Van Gundy was fired for not having played Novak last year.  Clearly, this Houston GM is asking to be canned.

hahaha I think this will be good for steve... he will get to play some more and work on things in a game situation. its better than sitting on the bench in the NBA... but does he still get paid his salary? or does it take a dip cuz he got sent down?

[mu_hilltopper]

Nah, he'll be paid.  Probably the highest paid dude in the D-League.

IIRC, his contract was for 2 years.  This does not bode well for a 3rd year in the NBA.

[77ncaachamps]

Nah, he'll be paid.  Probably the highest paid dude in the D-League.

IIRC, his contract was for 2 years.  This does not bode well for a 3rd year in the NBA.

I hear you. It hurts because he can shoot the lights out. But he hasn't been during his minutes. I can assume his confidence is waning.

But my advice to Novak would come from one of my favorite And-1 shirts:

"When you're on, keep shooting.
When you're off, keep shooting."


EDIT:

- The Vipers roster as it stands (minus Novak):
http://www.nba.com/dleague/riograndevalley/training_camp_roster_07.html

- WIKI is edited.

[Avenue Commons]

Brian Hill from Orlando was fired for not playing Travis.  We all know Steve Van Gundy was fired for not having played Novak last year.  Clearly, this Houston GM is asking to be canned.

hahaha I think this will be good for steve... he will get to play some more and work on things in a game situation. its better than sitting on the bench in the NBA... but does he still get paid his salary? or does it take a dip cuz he got sent down?

He still gets paid. Only in the NFL do you take a pay cut if you get sent down to the practice squad vs. being on the roster. In any event, a trip to the D-League doesn't bode well for Novak. And that's too bad, I think there's a place in the NBA for Novak and I'd like to see him succeed. Good luck to him.

[4everwarriors]

I called the shot on this one.

[mosarsour]

I guess it's better than wearing a suit on the end of the bench high fiving T Mac and Yao. At least he'ss get some playing time and hopefully work on his obvious weaknesses (D and rebounding).

[77ncaachamps]

I guess it's better than wearing a suit on the end of the bench high fiving T Mac and Yao. At least he'ss get some playing time and hopefully work on his obvious weaknesses (D and rebounding).

Yup. And that's what the Rockets brass wanted: more time, more practice, so when they called him up, they'd get a more refined product.

[romey]

According to NBA.com, Steve Novak has been reassigned to Rio Grande - the Rockets NBDL affiliate - as of Nov. 11.  He remains on the Rockets' 15 man roster, but had not played in any of their 6 games to date.  If he's not too busy, maybe he could make a trip to Hawaii?

[Rockmic87]

And thats the last you will hear from Novak...Goodbye!

[mosarsour]

And thats the last you will hear from Novak...Goodbye!

Not cool. Hopefully he'll flourish in the D League and if he doesn't remain with the Rockets, he'll catch on somewhere else. He just needs to work on other aspects of his game. He'll be fine.

[Harrison]

Unfortunately for Steve if he cannot get court time under Adelman... who stresse defense about as little as anyone in the NBA...then he probably cannot get on the court for anyone else.  One of the best shooters I have ever seen, but you gotta be able to play some D.  Could have a real nice time and make a couple of $Mil in Europe where he can fit right in with all the 6'10 guys shooting 3's and playing no defense.  No knock on Steve, great kid and a great contributor to MU.  The problem is the NBA is the best of the best of the best and he falls right on the line of not quite being good enough. 

[Rockmic87]

And thats the last you will hear from Novak...Goodbye!

Not cool. Hopefully he'll flourish in the D League and if he doesn't remain with the Rockets, he'll catch on somewhere else. He just needs to work on other aspects of his game. He'll be fine.

I'm just being honest!

[MilTown]

I think I agree. I mean, it's not like he will magically change his game in the D league. He was a one tool player in college who was a poor defender and rebounder. That will not change now. It's too bad because I like Novak, but the brutal reality is that he isn't NBA material. One tool players, especially on the offensive side, are becoming a rarity in the NBA. Plus, the NBA is all about athleticism, and unfortunately Novak lacks in that area.

There was a post a while back about how Tom Crean develops players. I think this is one case where Crean specifically failed in that regard. Basically, Crean played to Novaks strengths for 4 years and just had him float around the 3 point line. I'm not saying that Novak's demotion to the D league is Crean's fault, but I think that he didn't really challege Novak's game too much.

[🏀]

You can't teach athleticism. SN just doesn't have the natural speed, strength, and hops to really make it banging in the NBA. Built-up strength can only get you so much.

[muwarrior87]

You can't teach athleticism. SN just doesn't have the natural speed, strength, and hops to really make it banging in the NBA. Built-up strength can only get you so much.

and people like peja stojackovic have this speed and defensive abilities? maybe i'm forgetting something about peja's career.  Either way, if he can't make it in the NBA, I say we get the 06 graduating class back together and have JC, Grimm and Novak together on a Euro team. that'd be sweet.