Tracy McGrady has played alongside countless talented players throughout his NBA career, but when it comes to pure shooting ability, one name stands above the rest in his eyes Steve Novak.
In a recent reflection, McGrady revealed that Novak was the best “unknown” shooter he ever shared the court with during the 2000s, even claiming he would back him against almost shooting contest from that era.
Novak, a second-round pick by the Houston Rockets in 2006, never had the star power of his teammates, nor did he receive consistent playing time early in his career.
However, his elite three-point shooting quickly caught McGrady’s attention. Shooting an impressive 42.7 percent from beyond the arc during his time with Houston, Novak proved to be a reliable specialist.
McGrady’s confidence in Novak wasn’t just based on practice or reputation it came from real in-game moments. One of the most memorable instances occurred in February 2008 Rockets were trailing late in the fourth quarter.
Novak, who had barely played in the game, was inserted in the final minutes. With the game on the line and McGrady drawing multiple defenders, he trusted Novak to take the decisive shot.
That shot carried even more significance as it helped sustain Houston’s remarkable 22-game winning streak, one of the longest in NBA history.
While the NBA has since seen the rise of shooters like Stephen Curry, McGrady’s praise for Novak highlights a different kind of greatness one rooted in specialization, confidence, and delivering under pressure.