Former Spur Novak: It’s a different world in New York

A year ago, former San Antonio Spurs sharpshooting forward and NBA journeyman Steve Novak made a return to the NBA after a stint with the D-League’s Reno Bighorns.

While he averaged just over eight minutes per game in San Antonio, Novak came up big in a pair of victories, displaying a hot shooting touch. Not too much later, our own Paul Garcia and several Spurs fans on Twitter dubbed him “The Accountant.”

While the Spurs decided against bringing back Novak, waiving the Marquette alumnus during training camp, he seems to have found a home in New York with the Knicks.

A year later, “the accountant” has now become “Novakane”, and he’s been on a tear since his former Bighorns teammate Jeremy Lin was inserted into the starting lineup.

Novak scored in double figures eight times in February, twice this month before his Wednesday night game back in San Antonio. Add to that the fact that he was trending worldwide on Twitter and even got some recognition from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers when Novak did the “Discount Double Check” after sinking five three-pointers against the Cleveland Cavaliers last week and it’s safe to say that Novak has made the adjustment into a big market.

“It really hasn’t been a huge adjustment to be honest,” Novak said. “In terms of the style of play I was very comfortable here (San Antonio) and I’m very comfortable in New York.”

“It’s a different world out there in New York and it definitely is a big market. It’s fun though, it’s really fun,” Novak added.

As for the trip back to San Antonio where he played 23 games with the Spurs last year, the sixth-year forward said he didn’t have much time to spend in the Alamo City, but he did get the opportunity to talk to his former teammates.

“I didn’t have time to do much. We’re on a back-to-back so we just got to the hotel and then the game tonight,” he said.

“It’s good to be back. Obviously we were hoping to come with a win but they played good and had great energy. They just played better than us tonight but it was nice to see all the guys.”

While Novak’s career and role are seeing a major insurgence in New York, he still keeps tabs on the Spurs.

“They’ve been playing great,” Novak said about his former team. “They’ve been really playing good. Those guys are having a good season so far.”