Milwaukee Bucks: Thon Maker 2017-18 season preview

What Maker offers

Thon Maker is the prototypical new-age NBA center and fits perfectly into the next evolution of the NBA.

Defensively, Maker provides the Milwaukee Bucks with great size at 7’0″, and good shot blocking. Last season, Maker was able to average 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes, fourth among rookies who played at least 500 minutes.

Just as important as Maker’s ability to protect the rim is his agility and lateral quickness. During the 2016 NBA Draft Combine, Maker ran a quicker time in both the lane agility drill and shuttle run than Gary Payton II. This allows Maker to switch pick-and-rolls, a skill very few big men of his size are able to do.

Offensively, Maker is an elite three-point shooter for his size. Only five players 7’0″ or taller shot above 37 percent on more than 20 attempts last season. This stretches the floor and provides driving lanes for other players.

While Maker was an elite outside shooter, his presence was still felt inside the arc as well. Last season, over 50 percent of Maker’s points came inside the paint. This season, he will look to use additional strength and experience to add to his offensive repertoire.

As a rookie, Maker showed flashes of elite two-way potential. This season he will look to offer a more consistent, well-rounded approach on offense, while continuing to be an anchor on the back-end.