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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

By Josh Cornelissen

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 6: John Henson #31 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks with their teammates stand for the National Anthem before the preseason game against the Chicago Bulls on October 6, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 6: John Henson #31 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks with their teammates stand for the National Anthem before the preseason game against the Chicago Bulls on October 6, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Thon Maker should improve

Last season Milwaukee landed on the eventual Rookie of the Year, a fortuitous selection in the second round that helped propel their team to the postseason. Former Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon came onto the team and immediately made them better, starting for the team down the stretch.

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While Brogdon came out of the gate stronger, he was not the only rookie on the team. Thon Maker, a center from Sudan and Australia who went to school in Canada, was taken with the 10th overall selection in the 2016 draft. He likewise made his way onto the starting lineup by season’s end, and contributed valuable minutes in the playoffs.

While this team has a number of young players with upside, Maker is unique because of the sheer versatility of his game. He’s a 7’1” tower with the agility to hedge on the perimeter and the foot speed to recover, the wingspan to block passing lanes and swat away shots, and the range to bomb from deep, but also with the handle and vision to drive and pass to open teammates.

At just 20 years old, Maker has plenty of room to grow. The player who started in the playoffs and acquitted himself well was not the same guy who started the season. Relatively new to basketball, Maker is growing in all facets of the game. If he reaches anything close to his potential this year, the Bucks might win the East. If he simply grows as a player, this team has a much greater chance to make the playoffs.

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