Nice piece by John Hollinger in ESPN’s daily dime on Clippers forward Steve Novak
If you haven’t been watching Clippers games lately, I can’t say I blame you. But you’re missing out on a 3-point explosion for the ages.
L.A.’s Steve Novak went 6-for-10 from downtown Wednesday night and now is 21-for-34 over his past four games — including the game-winner at the buzzer against New Jersey on Sunday. The past 11 times he’s played at least 20 minutes, he’s made two or more 3s. Since Jan. 19, only Cleveland’s Mo Williams has made more 3-pointers than Novak, which is pretty amazing, considering Novak has played only 21 minutes a game in that span.
In that two-month span, Novak is 77-for-171 (45 percent) from downtown while averaging a 3-point hoist every four minutes. Although he is fairly worthless on defense and can’t create his own shot, his 3s are such a powerful offensive weapon that he’s forced the Clips to play him anyway — he started the second half Wednesday against Washington, and that might be a harbinger of how he will be used the rest of the way.
With one of the highest true shooting percentages (62.9) in the league and a microscopic turnover ratio (4.9 percent of the possessions he’s used), along with his teammates’ dreadful efficiency otherwise (they are last in offensive efficiency), getting him as many shots as possible should be among this team’s highest priorities.
A terrific run down on Novak by Hollinger
I haven’t been watching the Clippers much since the New Year, but I have no doubts that despite Novak’s shooting brilliance, his team is actually getting murdered while he’s out there. The guy’s flaws are just too hurtful.
Steve Novak is one of the best shooters in the NBA, but the rest of his game is horrific. He’s one of the worst defenders in the NBA, is an awful rebounder, and adds nothing offensively outside of his shooting ability (gets no interior baskets either).
This is Novak’s third season in the league, and I still don’t think he’s good enough to be here. It’s a pity because he truly is a magificent shooter.
Anyways, congradulations to Novak because those are very impressive shooting numbers.
Posted on March 20, 2009 by Dave