Steve Novak... Why the HECK didn't we keep this guy?

[TJastal]

Cue the threads suggesting we can trade Bonner for Tyson Chandler.

Go have a look at Novak's game logs. His numbers were crap, then they suddenly got really good. Now... go have a look at Jeremy Lin's game logs. See anything noteworthy?

Novak's numbers got good exactly when Lin took over. Jeremy Lin (within D'Antoni's offense) started getting guys open looks. Novak can hit wide open looks.

During that stretch of games, Novak has been taking an average of 7.2 3-point shots per game. Bonner averages 4 attempts. And unlike Bonner, almost none of Novak's are contested, because of the wide-open system the Knicks run.

People aren't just blowing smoke. In D'Antoni's system, Bonner would score a lot more. And he wouldn't have to worry about getting exposed on defense.

I'm sure he'd figure out a way.

[Indazone]

He's worthless on defense. Novak never saw playing time with Van Gundy but in D'antoni's 7 seconds and shoot offense, he's perfect.

[DMC]

Damn.

[Rapper]

Novak is the same type of Bonner. I don't think the spurs need to keep them both

[Keepin' it real]

Steve Novak? Really?

For the small amount of time we had Steve Novak last season, I could tell how much better he was than Bonner, Blair, or even RJ.

This guy has gone on to do impressive things with the Knicks. He's made huge contributions off of the bench and has, along with Lin, been a feel-good story for New York.

Here's his latest success: http://www.newsday.com/sports/basket...1.3568130?qr=1

A couple of things I noticed last year when comparing him to Bonner, Blair, and RJ.

Like Bonner, Novak can hit the 3. And when I mean hit it, I mean consistently. And he showed last season what Bonner didn't and still doesn't have: toughness and the ability to play at least SOME defense.

Blair, well, don't even get me started in comparing Novak to the garden gnome. Tons better, seems to be a more established player. Speads the floor, but can still fight for rebounds and play acceptable D. And Novak isn't slow like the garden gnome.

RJ... sucks. RJ doesn't even deserve to be discussed in the same sentence as freaking Steve Novak.

Novak's success speaks for itself. This guy can play both SF and PF, and has height. I remember he and Splitter worked well as a combo last season, for what little time both of them played.

WHY Spurs WHY did we not bring him back?!?!?!?! WHY couldn't we have ditched Blair Bonner or RJ WHY????

[ThaBigFundamental21]

Lets be real, Novak is a decent jump shooter. But it's been said a million times up top, he can't play D or Rebound. I have to admit, Bonner's D this year has been decent, very decent for Bonner. He is obviously putting in way more effort and staying in front of guys with a hand up and in their face. I actually saw him block a shot a couple games ago lol. It makes more sense to keep Bonner, a guy who knows our system, then sign a slightly worse player who knows hardly anything of our system.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Novak is Bonner except Novak is a much worse defender and rebounder.

This.

[Big P]

He was playing for a spot on the Spurs..he got a guaranteed offer from NY and the Spurs were cool enough to let him get some pt and $.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Except Bonner folds like a pussy under pressure. Novack is a lot more clutch than Bonner. I actually was surprised to see Novack go, I liked what he did last year and got a little more length than Ginger

Forgive me, but I must have missed the times in the Playoffs when Novak came up huge. When was that again? Surely you aren't referring to big shots in regular season games - because Bonner's had a few of those himself. As for length, I'm pretty confident that they are exactly the same height - Novak is just a lot thinner.

And as others have already pointed out, Bonner is by far a more superior rebounder and defender (which doesn't happen often, comparitively speaking).