Mentor to Maker: Rookie soaks up Garnett’s knowledge
Finding a tough-minded mentor for rookie Thon Maker was not a slam dunk.
Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd had a plan for that, something he thought would speed the progress of the 20year-old from South Sudan via Australia.
Kidd called it “The KG effect.”
Kidd used his strong connection with recently retired power
forward Kevin Garnett to set up some teaching sessions between the future Hall of Famer and the 7-foot-1 Maker.
Garnett has worked with his new pupil at least a half-dozen times, coming to the Bucks training facility and tutoring him in Los Angeles during Milwaukee’s recent West Coast trip.
Some early results were on display in the Bucks’ 108-105 overtime victory against Detroit on Friday night, when Maker scored a career-best 23
points.
The Bucks were trailing by three points with 8 minutes, 35 seconds remaining when Maker returned to the lineup, replacing Greg Monroe. Maker made a huge impact the rest of the way, scoring the game-tying basket late in regulation and sinking a key threepointer in overtime.
He also hustled to tap out a rebound to Khris Middleton, setting up Middleton’s go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute of overtime.
Garnett worked with Maker at the Bucks shootaround session on Friday, and basketball skills were not the only things they tried to polish.
“First, it’s just clearing my mind,” Maker said. “Pregame, he just said, ‘Take a deep breath. Just close your eyes and clear your mind.’
“And he explained in the playoff atmosphere, you have to be louder. We got some shots up and talked about staying low on my shot consistently, as fatigue sets in.
“He’s just been preaching to me about having the right attitude in approaching each game and studying your opponent. In the playoffs, it’s about who knows more. So you’ve just got to be ready.”
Veteran guard Jason Terry believes Garnett has been a great resource for Maker, whose lean build is similar to the player they called the “Big Ticket.”
“It’s all about confidence,” Terry said. “Anytime a legend comes and works with you, it’s building confidence.
“They polish up the fundamental skills of the game, but it’s more (building) mentally when you have a mentor like KG.”
Maker often has played limited minutes as a starter and rarely has played in the fourth quarter unless the game was a blowout. That was what made Friday’s performance so significant.
As he gains experience and gets stronger to battle the powerful centers in the league, his role will change and his minutes will increase.
“I’m getting stronger, gaining more weight,” Maker said. “I feel like I’m more on balance as I’m going to the rim.
“Everything is coming together. I can feel the difference. If you look two or three weeks ago, I’m a completely different player. Every single time I look back on film, I move differently on the floor.”
Maker’s serious approach to the game reminds Giannis Antetokounmpo of the same path he has taken with the Bucks, a journey that has led to an all-star berth in his fourth season. Antetokounmpo was the 15th overall pick in 2013; Maker was the 10th pick last year.
“The way he plays, the way he practices, the way he learns, it’s unbelievable,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was watching him doing his interview and thinking of how much he has matured this year. Everybody is proud of him and he’s going to keep helping his team do great things.
“I see a guy that is like me, with the hunger to
get better. Everybody’s got down moments. He’s got down moments, but you will see him the next day trying to get better.”
Antetokounmpo was encouraging Maker to shoot in clutch situations on Friday, even saying he was going to punch the rookie if he passed up any good chances.
The Bucks knew that Pistons center Andre Drummond had no interest in chasing Maker out to the three-point line and that shot would be open.
“He could just space to the corners because Drummond is a shot blocker and he’s going to be in the paint,” Antetokounmpo said. “So if Drummond goes out, we’ve got lanes.
“But if he doesn’t, Thon is wide open. Don’t hesitate. Shoot it.”
Maker sank 4 of 7 three-pointers and 9 of 12 shots while posting a
plus-26 plus-minus rating in just 25 minutes of play.
The BMO Harris Bradley Center crowd was with him on every shot, practically willing the ball to go through the net.
“People have told me about how crazy it gets around playoff time,” Maker said. “I think they’re ready already.”
The Bucks finish a two-game home stand with a matinee matchup against Dallas on Sunday. Then they leave for a three-game road trip to Oklahoma City, Indiana and Philadelphia.
Just six regular-season games remain and the Bucks are focused on securing a playoff berth and finishing as high as the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference.
“I’m not celebrating about it,” Maker said of his big night. “It’s on to the next one.”