Novak to the bucks?

[CAINMUTINY]

I heard from a reliable source that he has been working out with them and there is a mutual interest, anyone know anything about this?

[GOMU1104]

Novak has been working out at MU. Not sure free agents can work out with other NBA teams yet, at their facilities. Plus...the NBA teams are holding workouts for draft prospects right now.

That being said, I doubt Novak fits into what Skiles is trying to do defensively.

[Nukem2]

Novak has been working out at MU. Not sure free agents can work out with other NBA teams yet, at their facilities. Plus...the NBA teams are holding workouts for draft prospects right now.

That being said, I doubt Novak fits into what Skiles is trying to do defensively.

I'm not sure Steve fits what any NBA team does defensively.  He's in the league because of his 3-ball weapon.

[4everwarriors]

I'll go one further. It'll take a unique scenerio for either Diener or Novak to stick in the Association next season. Guys like Travis, at this point in his career, are readily available and likely a lot cheaper. Novak could stick with the right team who is loaded, but needs a spot up shooter.

[Boone]

Hate to admit it, but I think Diener has a tough rode to hoe if he wants to continue his career in the NBA. Although he's just 28, he's been banged up the past couple years and the times he's played he hasn't shown much.

[mugrad99]

Hate to admit it, but I think Diener has a tough rode to hoe if he wants to continue his career in the NBA. Although he's just 28, he's been banged up the past couple years and the times he's played he hasn't shown much.

I would agree he has been banged up, but I disagree on the latter part of your opinion.  In the 2008-9 season, he led the league in assists to turnover ratio (if you take out Gilber Arenas' playing of two games)

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/assists/sort/assistTurnoverRatio/year/2009/seasontype/2/qualified/false

[Markusquette]

I would agree he has been banged up, but I disagree on the latter part of your opinion.  In the 2008-9 season, he led the league in assists to turnover ratio (if you take out Gilber Arenas' playing of two games)

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/assists/sort/assistTurnoverRatio/year/2009/seasontype/2/qualified/false

Look at that.  He fits with the all-star cast of Jose Calderon, Chris Quinn, Jacque Vaughn, Kevin Ollie and Marcus Williams. 

[GGGG]

I would agree he has been banged up, but I disagree on the latter part of your opinion.  In the 2008-9 season, he led the league in assists to turnover ratio (if you take out Gilber Arenas' playing of two games)

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/assists/sort/assistTurnoverRatio/year/2009/seasontype/2/qualified/false

I love Travis, but he's a back up point guard without much of an upside. 

[mugrad99]

Look at that.  He fits with the all-star cast of Jose Calderon, Chris Quinn, Jacque Vaughn, Kevin Ollie and Marcus Williams.  

There is also a bigger gap between Travis and Jose Calderon (#2 on the list) than there is between Calderon and #30 on the list.   Travis' Asst/TO ratio that year was phenomenal...no other way to look at that.

I still think he would be a great backup point.

*Edited to note that Jose Calderon made over 8 million this past season

[HoopsMalone]

Diener and Novak are both relatively cheap players who can both hit shots.  This could be an odd summer of free agency.  Teams are going to shell out big bucks for a few players, but there are 12 spots on a team.  If they both play for about $1 million per season, they are attractive players. 

I don't think either guy will make an 8 or 9 man rotation.  However, it is always good to have a shooter, a defensive wing player, and a big man who can bang as the 10th, 11th, and 12th men.  Our MU alums can cheaply fill the shooter role alongside some big time free agents.  Novak would have been nice to sub out for Artest for a few minutes to get the Suns out of their zone, for example.

[GGGG]

Diener and Novak are both relatively cheap players who can both hit shots. 

Diener cannot hit shots in the NBA.  His career FG% is less than 40%.

[nyg]

Diener cannot hit shots in the NBA.  His career FG% is less than 40%.

Correct.  I believe his NBA days are numbered, but a nice run and secure monetary issues for Travis and his family.

[GGGG]

Let me also add that Diener wasn't all that great a shooter in college either.  His all time FG% is 41.5%.  To put that in comparison, Jerel McNeal's percentage was 44%...and a lot of people questioned McNeal's shot selection.

[MUfan12]

Let me also add that Diener wasn't all that great a shooter in college either.  His all time FG% is 41.5%.  To put that in comparison, Jerel McNeal's percentage was 44%...and a lot of people questioned McNeal's shot selection.

I'd be interested to see what it was his first 2 years... before he became the entire offense.

[GGGG]

I'd be interested to see what it was his first 2 years... before he became the entire offense.

43.0%
39.6%
42.2%
42.0%

[Hards Alumni]

Diener and Novak are both relatively cheap players who can both hit shots.  This could be an odd summer of free agency.  Teams are going to shell out big bucks for a few players, but there are 12 spots on a team.  If they both play for about $1 million per season, they are attractive players. 

I don't think either guy will make an 8 or 9 man rotation.  However, it is always good to have a shooter, a defensive wing player, and a big man who can bang as the 10th, 11th, and 12th men.  Our MU alums can cheaply fill the shooter role alongside some big time free agents.  Novak would have been nice to sub out for Artest for a few minutes to get the Suns out of their zone, for example.

League minimum for guys their age is more than $1 million per year, IIRC.

[MUfan12]

Thanks, Sultan. Surprised that his shooting didn't drop off with how much he had the ball the last two years.

[AZWarrior]

Hate to admit it, but I think Diener has a tough rode to hoe 

Its "row to hoe".  Its a farming expression.  One hoes a row of crops.  Then the next row....   

[mosarsour]

Travis has already qualified for his NBA pension. My guess is he'll go to Europe, make millions, and dominate.

[4everwarriors]

Travis has already qualified for his NBA pension. My guess is he'll go to Europe, make millions, and dominate.

Only if he hooks up with that professional Spanish team Mbao was part of.

[Boone]

"Its "row to hoe".  Its a farming expression.  One hoes a row of crops.  Then the next row.... "

Gotcha. While we're at it, the two "Its" should be "It's." 

[77ncaachamps]

Travis has already qualified for his NBA pension. My guess is he'll go to Europe the Philippines, make millions, and dominate.

Corrected it for you.

Plus, I must say I love how this thread evolved from NOVAK to DIENER.

[HouWarrior]

Few NBA teams now set up with the low post, inside /out, clear out game to rotate the ball to the free 3 point specialist( the Rockets used to in the time of Matt Bullard, with Barkley, or Olajuwon in the post)
When Novak was in Houston, it appeared his defensive footwork, positioning and rebounding were inadequate, but his spot up 3 point shooting was great.
Is any NBA team set up to take advantage of this relatively single dimension?

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Love them both, but doubt either will be in the league next year.  They did OK cashing in as they did.

[Murffieus]

Novak needs to play for a coach who recognizes his niche (trey shooting) and believes in him enough to make him a member of his regular rotation.  Seems to me he's lost a lot of confidence riding the pine. Averaged 47% one year in the NBA from behind he arc when he was part of the mix. Hustles his ass off.