Milwaukee Bucks: 5 goals for Thon Maker in 2018-19 season

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 13: Thon Maker #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks the ball in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons during a preseason game at BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 13, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 28: (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Hone finishing at the rim

One of the bigger struggles Maker endured throughout all of last season came when he was often seen rolling to the rim or viewed as a lob threat at the basket.

Time and time again, the combination of Maker’s below average explosion near the basket and shaky hands often made him look completely out of his element as he made gaffe after gaffe trying to convert looks at that level of the floor. Per NBA.com/stats, Maker converted just 52 of his 100 attempts within the restricted area last year.

Now it’s safe to assume we’ll see less of Maker battling to convert scoring opportunities that way this upcoming year, given the priority that’s being placed on spacing the floor under Coach Bud. Nonetheless, that element of Maker’s play can use plenty of fine tuning as high percentage looks will always be prized, regardless of his skill level at the moment.

The gravity of the likes of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe and Budenholzer’s offensive principles could open up the space needed for Maker to strike the basket when the circumstances dictate it.

How to develop that into a capable component in his mix of talents remains to be seen, though, and opposing teams have plenty of examples of how to disrupt Maker’s attempt to build up his inside game at this point as well.

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