We have seen the pitfalls of scouting by highlight videos, which is the first thing that led many to be skeptical of Thon Maker. It is sometimes hard to get a good gauge on a prospect while watching only what they do well.
Something seemed different with Maker.
The raw video footage of Maker paints a clear picture of a dominant athlete and coordinated basketball player. At 7'1” he sometimes moves with the agility of a small forward, and a lot of the awkwardness expected from a 19-year-old who is still growing into his body is not there. Maker demonstrates a lot of sure-footedness and good balance—no signs of goofiness. He moves fluidly, and he has a high motor.
Maker also recorded the highest vertical leap ever of any player at the combine 6’11” or taller, vertically leaping 36.5" inches.
Stop and think Maker could be a lot like a young Dwight Howard given his pogo stick legs. His potential on the glass alone makes him worth keeping an eye on. And though he needs to add bulk, that is one weakness that is always easy to overlook.
Why? Because Maker appears strong, and it is his strength that he needs, not bulk.
Some raw mass would hardly hurt, but there is not any wasted space on Maker's wiry frame.
It is also easy to think, "Kevin Garnett is headed for the Hall of Fame and he’s still rail thin," but ask any opponent and you will hardly hear that he is a pencil and a pushover." Maker could develop in a similar vein, but if he can fill out some, it would give him the possibility of playing center. He has the ball skills necessary to step out on the floor, though, so it might not even be in his best career interests to play the 5-spot.
And that is why the Milwaukee Bucks could take such a gamble as to draft Maker at No. 10 overall.
Milwaukee's Options were limited anyway
Milwaukee passed on the likes of Domantas Sabonis and Georgios Papagiannis, both more proven big men with definable skill sets—and in Sabonis’ case, a proven level of success in the NCAA. Both may have pretty decent careers, and could even be career starters.
But Maker came as a huge mystery box, yet still seeming to promise far more than the more known assets in the draft.
The Bucks already have established starters at each position. Accordingly, they can afford to be patient with Maker, and that was the mindset with which he was drafted. He can take several seasons learning from Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo before he is expected to shoulder an absolutely vital role on the team. Patience.
But considering the logic behind all of it, it is not a gamble for the Bucks. At the No. 10 pick, they were not necessarily searching for a starter. Had the draft been richer in point guards, Milwaukee may have considered drafting one. But Michael Carter-Williams is a good floor general and still could iron out some of his deficiencies. The Bucks really approached the draft with a balanced roster. Some shooting may be in order, but that can be done via free agency, not through the draft.
With a balanced roster, it makes sense to draft the “best available player,” but also keeping in mind that whoever is drafted has an uphill battle to gain minutes. That means “best available,” and “highest upside,” now become the two factors by which to make the pick.
That screams “Thon Maker!”
What Must Milwaukee do moving forward?
The Bucks regressed last season in a major way, but two seasons ago it boasted a formidable defense that guided Milwaukee into the postseason. It is not Maker’s job to revive the team, but his athleticism should make him a good shot blocker if he can time things and avoid bad reaches.
But even if Maker does have an issue with foul trouble as rookies often do, the Bucks have Jabari Parker, Greg Monroe and Giannis Antetokounmpo to play the lion’s share of the minutes at the 4/5 spots. John Henson will also get minutes. The entire situation leads the Bucks towards taking their time with Maker, and that is in the best interests of the 19-year-old.
The Bucks long windup and its youthful roster will be perfect for Maker. He will take time adjusting to the NBA, but his raw gifts prove he definitely belongs in the Association. There may be no one in the draft who is more intriguing than Maker now because we get to see if the gamble pays off for Milwaukee. If it fails to, the Bucks will still be in a fair position with Parker and Antetokounmpo as the franchise cornerstones.
But the high upside of Maker was too much to pass up.
The rumors surrounding his age may have just been an attempt of a GM or two to conjure up ghosts to haunt his prospects. The fact is that anyone who watches his raw gifts in the viral videos of Maker will be readily convinced he is a gamble worth taking every time.