Hoops Habit
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

By Josh Cornelissen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Bronson Koenig #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball against the Utah Jazz during the 2017 Summer League on July 14, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Bronson Koenig #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball against the Utah Jazz during the 2017 Summer League on July 14, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 24: Thon Maker #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks speaks with an official during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 24, 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 24: Thon Maker #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks speaks with an official during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 24, 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

3. Thon Maker didn’t make another leap

If the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo into an All-NBA player was the cake of last season, and the team finding a starting PG in the second round was the icing, the play of Thon Maker was the cherry on top. The young center was drafted outrageously high in last year’s draft when the Bucks took him at No. 10 overall, but he proved his value down the stretch.

More from Hoops Habit

Head coach Jason Kidd started Thon Maker for the end of the regular season and throughout the entirety of their postseason run. The big man, born in Sudan but raised in Australia, played short stints in each half and showed the outlines of a center who could defend in space, switch, protect the rim, move the ball and hit outside shots. In other words, the next unicorn.

Excited fans may have gotten ahead of themselves, as Thon Maker’s two games in Las Vegas were less than impressive. In the summer opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Maker shot just 1-for-8 from the field, and failed to block a single shot. In a win over the Brooklyn Nets, the second-year player was more active defensively, blocking three shots and pulling in eight rebounds, but shot just 3-for-10 from the field. 

There is still plenty of optimism to go around with Thon Maker, and the Bucks are one of the league’s best at managing the development of players, especially those with athletic gifts and raw potential. But those hoping for Maker to be an impact center as early as this season may need to be a little more patient.

Home/Milwaukee Bucks