Rookies have only just begun
Maker, Brogdon know work remains
Throughout the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff series against the Toronto Raptors, many writers, pundits and fans expressed astonishment regarding the Bucks’ starting lineup. Not only did coach Jason Kidd start rookies Malcolm Brogdon and Thon Maker, but they held their own.
Somehow, Kidd and the Bucks had turned Maker, a shockingly early pick at No. 10 in last year’s draft, and Brogdon, a second-round selection, into crucial, contributing members of a competitive playoff squad. Each had his ups and downs, but they were both undoubtedly key and deserving members of Milwaukee’s postseason rotation.
So what’s next for that precocious pair as they head into their first NBA off-season?
For Maker, it starts with staying in Milwaukee and living in the gym.
“It was amazing; unexpected,” Maker said of his rookie season in which he appeared in 57 regularseason games, including 34 starts. “Early on in the season, I didn’t think I would be playing at all. I thought I was just going to be on ‘Project: Build
Maker’ and just continue to build my body, but that’s this summer now.
“I thought that’s what this year was going to be about but everything turned around, I worked hard and it turned out to be way more than I expected.”
Maker started the final 31 games of the season as well as all six in the playoffs. During the postseason, he averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game. Maker recorded a careerhigh five blocks in Game 6 on Thursday, the most by a Bucks player since Joe Smith had five blocks in a game during the 2004 playoffs.
Those blocks aren’t what will stand out to him about that game, though. Rather, he’ll remember one of the biggest plays, when DeMar DeRozan blew by him for a dunk with less than a minute left, a play that occurred immediately after Maker was subbed in for defensive purposes in a threepoint game.
“That’s a big lesson for me,” Maker said. “I have to screenshot that mentally. One of our team rules is not to allow middle drives, so I’ll think about that over and over again in the summer. Can’t wait until next year.”
Brogdon had an upand-down series following an uncommonly consistent season for a rookie. In particular, his shooting numbers fluctuated from game-to-game as he battled on the defensive end, trying to limit Raptors all-star guard Kyle Lowry.
The ending wasn’t ideal, but Brogdon’s rookie season was an undeniable success. After getting picked 36th after five years at the University of Virginia, the 6-foot-5 point guard quickly convinced the Bucks that he was someone they could rely upon. After the draft but before the season, the Bucks traded both Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis, paving the way for Brogdon to become a rotation player.
“When the team puts that amount of trust in you, you have no choice but to be confident in yourself and rise to the challenge,” Brogdon said.
He certainly did that, averaging 10.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40.4% from three-point range. His exploits put him high in the conversation for rookie of the year, an award that will be announced on June 26.
Brogdon would be excited to be recognized as the rookie of the year, but it’s not something he’s worried about. Instead,
he is focused on continuing to build on the foundation he set this season.
“I’m going to continue to shoot the 3 and make sure it gets better,” he said. “I think my post game can get better. I think my in-between game, coming off ball screens and creating space for my shot can get better. And then my finishing around the rim.”
Decisions looming: The Bucks have 10 players under contract heading into the off-season, with a few notable decisions still on the horizon — some of which are in their hands and some are in the hands of the players.
Of the five players who are up in the air, center Greg Monroe’s player option for 2017-’18, which comes with a price tag of $17.9 million, is one of the biggest question marks. Monroe averaged 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals while playing 22.5 minutes per game and established himself as one of
the top bench players in the NBA.
Outside of Monroe, backup center Spencer Hawes has a player option for about $6 million while backup forward Michael Beasley and 39year-old guard Jason Terry are unrestricted free agents. Monroe, Hawes, Beasley and Terry were not among the players made available for comment during Friday’s exit interviews with the media.
The Bucks have more control over the future of Tony Snell, as the 6-foot-7, 25-year-old guard will be a restricted free agent this summer. Snell came to Milwaukee in a preseason trade with Chicago and played a pivotal role, starting all 86 games in which he played with the Bucks. He averaged 8.5 points per game and led the squad in three-pointers (144) while shooting 40.6% from long range.
“I just take it day by day,” Snell said regarding the free-agency process. “Relax my mind, my body, be around my family. … Just living my normal life now and living life until that conversation starts.”