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5 Reasons The Milwaukee Bucks Can Still Win Their Series Against Toronto Raptors

By Josh Cornelissen

Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes up to make a basket as Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7) defends in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes up to make a basket as Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7) defends in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Thon Maker Is An X-Factor

When the Milwaukee Bucks selected Thon Maker with the 10th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, two themes were present in post-draft analysis. One, the Bucks overreached with the pick, taking a guy at No. 10 who would be there at No. 25.

Second, if the Bucks were going to see value from the pick, it would take years for the raw Maker to develop into a reliable NBA player.

The 7’1″ center is starting for the Bucks and performing better than anyone could have expected, blowing away his pre-and-post draft evaluations. Maker is fifth among all rookies in playoff scoring, sixth in playoff minutes and third in rebounds.

No other rookie big is playing consistent minutes for a team.

Maker’s allure is not just the ability to play postseason minutes, but that every game he seems to reveal a new ability. One game he is stroking a corner three, the next he attacks the closeout to score at the rim.

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    • The next evolution of that play involves reading a rotating defense and passing to a cutting teammate as your drive is contested. That ability alludes most rookie point guards — and many veterans — and yet Maker has already made that exact play in the playoffs, a flash of advanced skill and court vision most didn’t know he was capable of.

    Maker is the epitome of a modern big, with the size and instincts to protect the rim and the skill to hit outside shots and put the ball on the floor. Despite his rail-thin frame, he has all but shut down Jonas Valanciunas, forcing Toronto to match up their center with Greg Monroe in order to generate offense.

    Thon Maker turned 20 years old in February and he is forcing an opposing coach to change his starting lineup in a postseason series. That isn’t supposed to happen.

    This means that the sky is the limit for Thon Maker, in this series and beyond. It would be surprising for Maker to take another step forward this year, to unveil yet another skill or take control of a game. But his continual motor, incredible length and multi-faceted skill set make him a valuable piece already.

    If he has something more in the tank, then the Bucks have a great shot at extending — and winning — the series.

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