<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With his first experience in a NBA preseason game, Rockets rookie forward Steve Novak might have had a variety of first impressions but none as vivid as the understanding of why he has been in the weight room almost before the ink on his contract dried. "No question, playing out there against those guys, they are very, very physical," Novak said. "They're bigger. They're stronger. I've continued to work throughout the summer. I've gained 11 pounds since I've been here. Being out there and realizing how big and long these guys are, it makes you want to work hard in the weight room." Novak made 4 of 6 shots for 12 points, but had just three rebounds in 23 minutes. "It was good to be out there in front of the Houston fans," Novak said. "It felt good to go out there and make a couple shots."</div> Link Good to hear that Novak has put on more muscle and gotten stronger. If he can prove that he's now strong enough to guard fours, there's no need to have Padgett. Although I certainly won't mind having both, there are limited roster spots after all.
The guy can flat out shoot. I've never seen a rookie with a sweeter stroke. His defense is close to TERRIBLE, but when you shoot like that it's not as bad
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The guy can flat out shoot. I've never seen a rookie with a sweeter stroke. His defense is close to TERRIBLE, but when you shoot like that it's not as bad</div> I agree with you. Novak still has a lot of things to work out on his defense. Players posting him up or players driving towards the basket had an easy time on him. On rebounding position he seems to be overpowered, outhustled and being bullied. Right now he's a below average defender but improving it to an average one would give him more playing time. With Yao and TMac demanding double team he can make the opponent pay with his highly effective shooting.
