Milwaukee Bucks: 3 goals for Thon Maker in 2018-19

2. Leverage his tools as a rim protector

Simply looking at Thon Maker suggests that he can block shots. Maker is 7’1″ with a 9’3″ standing reach, and the lanky build that almost hints at an ability to stretch even further. If Mr. Fantastic played basketball, he may be built something like Thon Maker.

Maker delivers on those physical tools as a pure shot-blocker, swatting shots taken from anywhere around him. He ranked 31st among qualified players in blocks-per-minute, and ranked third on the Bucks in blocks despite ranking 10th in minutes per game.

In the postseason Maker was incredible at knocking away Boston’s shot attempts. In Game 3 — his first non-garbage minutes — he blocked five shots in 24 minutes, following that with another five blocks in Game 4. In last year’s postseason, eight times a player tallied at least five blocks, and no one did it in less playing time than both of Maker’s performances.

As impressive as Maker’s here-and-there block parties are, he needs to become a better all-around rim protector. His physical tools to guard on the perimeter are present, yet all too often he finds himself beat off the dribble and simply trying to reach past players to block their shots from behind. If he can stay disciplined and keep the opponent in front of him, his length and bounce would be an impossible deterrent.