MSG Networks has signed Steve Novak for a primetime spot off the bench.
The former sharpshooter, 42, who played two seasons in New York, will serve in the analyst role for about a dozen games as Clyde Frazier’s backup this season, MSG Networks announced Thursday.
Novak’s debut is Friday night against the Bulls in Chicago, where the Knicks will try to snap a two-game skid.
Novak is replacing Jamal Crawford, who was Frazier’s backup last season but moved to NBC for the national station’s return to NBA broadcasts.
A career role player, Novak totaled 11 seasons as an NBA player and peaked with the Knicks, with his stint spanning Linsanity and the 54-win campaign of 2012-13.
His championship belt celebration after 3-point conversions became Novak’s trademark.
“I played for nine NBA teams and can honestly say that the two years I played for the Knicks in New York were two of my most memorable seasons in the league,” Novak said in a statement.
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“To have this opportunity to fill in for the legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier on select games is remarkable, and I can’t wait to talk Knicks basketball with the great hoop fans in New York.”
Frazier is still going strong at 80 years old and has no plans to retire as lead analyst, but has lightened his schedule in recent years. Crawford called about 10 games last season on MSG Network.
Two seasons ago, MSG Networks planned to hire Mark Jackson as Frazier’s backup, but the deal was never finalized
Jackson had been banned from the team’s chartered jet, as The Post reported, a decision led by team president Leon Rose and in part due to an old quarrel with Jackson and Knicks assistant Darren Erman.
Novak has previous media experience as a game and studio analyst for FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (2017-25).
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
