When I asked Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy before the game whether he ever factored a player's homecoming into his substitution thoughts, he retorted,"I would never patronize a player like that. You're a professional. You're either good enough to help win a game or not."
Don't get the impression that Van Gundy doesn't like Novak. Van Gundy raves about the coaching that Novak got from Tom Crean, Van Gundy's good friend, at Marquette. He loves Novak's shooting ability. It simply comes down to the other end of the court. "He's making too many defensive mistakes to get on the court right now. But not any more than most young players," said Van Gundy.
It was a little bit surreal to see the Rockets arrive at the Bradley Center Wednesday night. Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, then Steve Novak in a bright V-neck sweater that Van Gundy chided good-naturedly. Novak spoke excitedly, but humbly about being back home and "knowing his place" in the Houston pecking order.
With his family seated courtside and plenty of friends and fans in the Bradley Center, Novak could only sit as the Rockets held off the Bucks.
You could make a case that Van Gundy could have thrown Novak a bone and put him on the floor in the final seconds. After all, the Bucks were forced to foul and Novak is one of the best free throw shooters in NCAA history. But, professional sports are rarely about warm and cuddly homecomings. They're about trying to win games. Novak left Milwaukee a winner. The next time he comes back, he hopes to contribute on the court.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
