Novak earning D'Antoni's respect

[MUrugger]

Today on the Knick's page through ESPN.com provides this insight:  http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/11718/dan-novak-will-remain-in-rotation

Good to see.

[jsglow]

I'm happy for Steve.  The good news is that coach sees his contribution in areas other than the three.  If he can play 'decent' D, he'll remain in the league for several years.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I love that Novak is a prime beneficiary of all this Linsanity.  D'antoni is the perfect coach to harness his otherworldly shooting, as dude loves offense.  If Novak keeps up the hot shooting off of Lin's drive and kicks, which no doubt he will, he will start to become a bigger story too.

[Wade for President]

I wonder if these increased minutes could lead Novak his first entry into the 3 Point Contest during All-Star weekend.  My initial thought is that Novak's playing time might have come too late for a spot.

It would be a travesty if Steve plays his whole NBA career without one appearance in the NBA contest.  Novak would never lose.

Is there a write-in vote for the 3 point contest?  If there is, it's time to stuff the ballot.

[CTWarrior]

I think he will all but disappear when Carmelo comes back, but its been fun watching him get some PT lately.  I watched a bit last night and he had a bad night, missing his shots and getting beat on D and not getting rebounds.  He led the team with a +10 plus/minus rating, which is an indictment of the stat, because he was most definitely not helping last night.

He has played very well in the other games, though.  When he can set his feet he is still close to automatic and that is fun to watch.

[Skatastrophy]

"mostly on the defensive end and rebounding"

Talk about bizarro world!

[AZWarrior]

Novak has a way of making penetrating point guards more effective by spreading the defense.  We've seen it before.  Very glad to be seeing it again.   

[MU B2002]

I wonder if these increased minutes could lead Novak his first entry into the 3 Point Contest during All-Star weekend.  My initial thought is that Novak's playing time might have come too late for a spot.

Problem is that the NBA is more likely to put Lin in the 3pt contest than Novak.

[StillAWarrior]

Problem is that the NBA is more likely to put Lin in the 3pt contest than Novak.

True.  I was just telling my son this morning that I'd be shocked if the NBA didn't figure out some way to get Lin involved in the All-Star festivities.

Actually, if it wasn't for Lin, I think Novak's recent play might have gotten more attention.  He's in New York, so that would have helped.  But the Lin story has blown up so much (rightly so), that Novak is really lost in the shuffle.

[MerrittsMustache]

True.  I was just telling my son this morning that I'd be shocked if the NBA didn't figure out some way to get Lin involved in the All-Star festivities.

The skills competition perhaps?

[Warriors10]

Rookies v. Sophomore game or whatever it is called now.

[79Warrior]

I think he will all but disappear when Carmelo comes back, but its been fun watching him get some PT lately.  I watched a bit last night and he had a bad night, missing his shots and getting beat on D and not getting rebounds.  He led the team with a +10 plus/minus rating, which is an indictment of the stat, because he was most definitely not helping last night.

He has played very well in the other games, though.  When he can set his feet he is still close to automatic and that is fun to watch.

Yep. Back to the bench.

[MerrittsMustache]

Yep. Back to the bench.

Melo and Stoudemire play ~68 of the 96 minutes at the forward spots. That leaves 28 minutes to basically split between Novak and Jeffries. As long as Novak continues hitting from the outside, it'll be tough to keep him on the bench too much, especially when you consider the Knicks have limited outside shooting options. I could still see him getting 16-20 minutes per game.

[MU B2002]

What about Jorts?     

[MerrittsMustache]

What about Jorts?     

Injured...and bad.

[MU B2002]

I know but was he getting minutes at F, prior to injury? 

[Eye]

Listening to this interview, sounds like he'll stay involved somehow:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdZ%2FdU%2FdH%2FdQ%2FZUHQ_3.MP3%3Fauthtok%3D5561695519475668816_XMWKFpZMzAr6EnHsrRVww1MNYJ8&podcast_name=Mike+D%26%23039%3BAntoni++-+With+Mike+Francesa&podcast_artist=Mike+Francesa&station_id=62&tag=pages&dcid=CBS.NY

[4everwarriors]

I wonder if these increased minutes could lead Novak his first entry into the 3 Point Contest during All-Star weekend.  My initial thought is that Novak's playing time might have come too late for a spot.

It would be a travesty if Steve plays his whole NBA career without one appearance in the NBA contest.  Novak would never lose.

Is there a write-in vote for the 3 point contest?  If there is, it's time to stuff the ballot.

'cept he lost to a broad at the completion of his eligibility, 'member?

[tower912]

Another 15 last night in 29 minutes.  3-8 from deep.   Sometimes, you just need to be with the right coach in the right situation.   

[Avenue Commons]

Sometimes, you just need to be with the right coach in the right situation.   

The older I get the more I realize this is just as true in one's career as it is in sports. Note to all young grads, don't focus on money early on. The best job early on is the one at the best company that will train you and utilize your abilities. Its rarely the one that pays the most.

[Marqevans]

Do you have to be an All Star to compete in the 3 point contest?

[dwaderoy2004]

Nope.

[Marqevans]

Nope.

Then bring on Steve Novak!

[RawdogDX]

The older I get the more I realize this is just as true in one's career as it is in sports. Note to all young grads, don't focus on money early on. The best job early on is the one at the best company that will train you and utilize your abilities. Its rarely the one that pays the most.

+1.  People who come out of school motivated by cash will make more cash but be less happy than people who look for positions that are rewarding.  'Drive' by pink is a great book on the best seller list right now on that kind of thing.

[tower912]

+2.   I tried it for a couple of years out of college before going into the family business.    I remember actually getting mocked at my 5 year reunion because I wasn't part of the dot.com bubble.   But I'm still happy.