His role seems simple on paper – hitting open shots – but in reality, it largely depends on who creates the opportunities. And for Steve Novak, during his time with the New York Knicks, it was superstar Carmelo Anthony who built the defense around him every game, allowing role players like him to thrive.
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depend on each other
Novak was one of the league’s most dangerous shooters in the 2010s, capable of swinging the tempo with a timely 3-pointer, especially under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. His clutch shooting made him a fan favorite in New York, but on the “7 PM in Brooklyn” podcast, Novak told Anthony that none of it would have been possible without him.
“I was open because of Melo. And just imagine it’s this crazy dynamic where I feel throughout your career you always need great teammates. You need better people.” Novak said.
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“I don’t think people understand the change that happens when you gain weight every game,” He continued. “I don’t think people understand that you were responsible for me, Landry Fields, Jared Jeffries, and there aren’t a lot of guys that can carry that load.”
At his peak, Anthony was a dangerous isolation scorer who always drew double teams in the post or collapse defense while driving through the paint. This made him a deadly scorer, but it also opened up the floor for shooters like Novak who were ready when defenses made the wrong choice.
“I need Melo. It’s like you think you needed people to help you become a superstar and look out for you for so long,” Novak shared. “I needed Melo to be good. And so the superstars I play with have the same responsibility, Giannis, Melos, KD. Dirks, Timmy Duncan.”
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In addition to Anthony, Novak had the privilege of playing alongside several superstars during his journeyman career, from Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the final years of his career in Milwaukee. He had a front-row view of how much pressure superstars face in every game and how much they help role players find their niche and contribute to the team.
The Knicks legacies of Novak and Melo
Novak’s sentiment highlights what has long been true in the league: Great role players blossom when they earn the stars’ trust. This is evident throughout history, such as when Steve Kerr and John Paxson hit game-winning shots for Michael Jordan, or when Robert Horry hit iconic game-winning shots because everyone was so focused on their superstar teammates.
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On a smaller scale, it was the same with Novak and Anthony. The two trusted each other, so that when double teams came for Anthony, the 6’10 sharpshooter was always ready to take the shot.
There is a long lineage of sharpshooting role players who have always won the love or even the ire of fans across the league. Novak is one of them, and he says it only worked because a superstar like Anthony carried the burden of the team in the first place.
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This story was originally published by The Basketball Network on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add The Basketball Network as a favorite source by clicking here.
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