Thon Maker NBA Draft Combine analysis

[knuckleballer]

If Ainge keeps all three of our first rounders, I hope he takes a shot at this guy with either the 2nd or third pick. He's definitely a gamble, but his upside is worth a shot in my opinion. 

Some of the criticism coming from scouts are a bit odd to me.  I read he had average or mediocre explosiveness. His verticals make that look silly.  I read he had small hands and that's an exaggeration.  They might be slightly small for his height, but not by much.  They are in line with guys just a couple inches shorter.  For example, they are the exact same measurements as Greg Monroe and I've never heard that criticism of him.

His highlight vs. lowlight videos show extremes on both ends.  His highlights show an outstanding handle while his lowlights show him losing control of the ball.  The scouts seem to focus on the latter.  Well, he's not going to handle the ball so much in the NBA.  He's not going to be a play maker.  He'll be a big and the fact he shows some ball handling skills is a positive in my mind.  It's the same thing with his post moves.  Some videos show outstanding post moves and finishes while other videos show him looking awkward.  Most 7 footers can never do some of the moves I have seen from him and the awkwardness is just inconsistent footwork which can be coached and learned.

Scouts have put down his shooting skills because he shot just under 30% from the high school 3 point range.  Oh well, so he's not the next Kevin Durant.  But his shooting skills do suggest he can knock down mid range shots which is nice from a 7 footer and he shot his free throws well.

So, he's skinny.  He'll struggle to defend strong low post players at first.  People said the same about KG at the same age.  Even if he can't put on the lower body weight, with the direction the league is going, I don't think that's much of a problem as he should be able to defend stretch fours with his length and quickness. Plus, he plays with an intensity which can make up for some of that.

He's certainly a bit of a mystery, but any guy who resembles a young KG, including his intensity and reported work ethic, is worth a shot with one of our later first rounders.

[beantownboy171]

I think the problem with Maker is he started off being compared to KG.

It's obvious he's not as developed as KG at his age.

But he could easily side in as a rim protecting, alley oops and fast break specialist.

[CelticsFan166]

I'm sold! He sounded like he has a very good head on his shoulders. I'm really hoping he doesn't work his way up past the Dallas pick in the workouts, because he'd be an excellent grab there. And, hell, why not swing for the fences there? We have enough of those types of prospects.

My sentiment exactly. We have enough Olynyks and Sullingers, why take another "safe" pick? I'd love for Ainge to swing for the fences and draft someone who could become a star, not a starter.

[SHAQATTACK]

I don't think he is another Fab Melo.

The guy is Marcus Smart crazy to play and win.

I ll take a Dennis Rodman type .....high motivation and determination over average skill and low motor .....like Jeff Greeen.

[positivitize]

I really hope we take a flyer on Maker at 23.

[slightly biased bias fan]

I think if Ainge was to take a chance on him, he is a 3 years project and possibly a 1-2 year career in the D-League as I believe he didn't pick up a basketball until age 14.

[Atzar]

If he's there at our later first-round picks, I'd take him in a heartbeat.  Rare combo of size and athleticism.  If it doesn't work out, I'm okay with that... Just think it's a chance you have to take as a future-focused franchise.

[danglertx]

Unless he works out for us and is impressive I don't want him.  If he is afraid of playing in the combine scrimmages then he isn't the kind of guy I want.

[nostar]

If he's there at 23 you have to take him. I think the real question is whether or not we take him at 16, which is probably the last chance we'll have to grab him.

There aren't a lot of guys after the top 3 or 4 that I'm over-the-moon for anyway. I think Simmons/Ingram/Dunn/Hield are all guys who have good to great NBA careers. After that it's just guessing to me. Skal has potential but lacks the motor that Maker has. Poeltl could be anywhere from Andrew Bogut to Tyler Hansbrough. Jaylen Brown has bust written all over him as does Dragan Bender. Cheick Diallo is an interesting look on the measurables but couldn't see the court in Kansas and has no offense outside of dunking.

I think those kinds of evaluations can be said for everyone outside of the top-2 so really it's just a matter of liking the kids we pick, and possibly fit as we have a solid group of guys for the first time since the Nets trade.

So I'm up for Maker at 16. I am relatively confident that had he gone to college he would be a top-3 pick next year. He seems to run hot and every report is that he's a working. I'll gladly strike out on that criteria along with freakish physical tools every day. That is a winning combo to me.

[makaveli]

Thon Maker is another Deandre Jordan in the making.

If you used him right he could be very effective and would certainly be a valuable trade asset.

I'd be happy with him at any point 16 and on.

how is he DeAndre3000? a completely different type of a player...a big man that can dribble and shoot, not much of a defender with his lack of strength.
i would love if we could get him.

[Green-Bananas]

If he's there at 23 you have to take him. I think the real question is whether or not we take him at 16, which is probably the last chance we'll have to grab him.

There aren't a lot of guys after the top 3 or 4 that I'm over-the-moon for anyway. I think Simmons/Ingram/Dunn/Hield are all guys who have good to great NBA careers. After that it's just guessing to me. Skal has potential but lacks the motor that Maker has. Poeltl could be anywhere from Andrew Bogut to Tyler Hansbrough. Jaylen Brown has bust written all over him as does Dragan Bender. Cheick Diallo is an interesting look on the measurables but couldn't see the court in Kansas and has no offense outside of dunking.

I think those kinds of evaluations can be said for everyone outside of the top-2 so really it's just a matter of liking the kids we pick, and possibly fit as we have a solid group of guys for the first time since the Nets trade.

So I'm up for Maker at 16. I am relatively confident that had he gone to college he would be a top-3 pick next year. He seems to run hot and every report is that he's a working. I'll gladly strike out on that criteria along with freakish physical tools every day. That is a winning combo to me.

A lot of people think he'll be around in the 20's but I'm not so sure. His stock will keep rising. First thought I had him going at 19 to Denver, but now I could see Phoenix at 13. Have to watch the teams he works out for, and hear what they say about him. He could even go higher.

As for not playing in the scrimmage.. Agents advised players not too, so I don't see that as a big deal. 

[footey]

I'm not worried about his declining to work out 5-5. When he works out for the Celtics, he will be required to play against other draft hopefuls. If he declines, that would be a red flag for sure, and doubt Ainge would draft him. He seems to put a lot of value in the work outs, witness Rondo and Rozier.

[rondohondo]

He looks like a Biyombo type to me , wouldn't mind him with the dallas or bos pick.

[crimson_stallion]

I'm really far from sold on Maker.  He just doesn't look fluid out there - looks incredibly raw.  He looks like he has a long way to go before he'll be able to get court time in the NBA imho, though he's a hard one to gauge so I could be wrong. 

I think id be much more comfortable gambling on Labissiere to be honest.  The only thing I've seen of maker that impressed me were his glorified mix tapes.  Once you watch actual game / workout footage he looks far, far from an NBA player to me.  He looks like a really tall and undeveloped high school kid...which is basically what he is.

[Big333223]

I'm really far from sold on Maker.  He just doesn't look fluod out there - looks incredibly raw.  He looks likehe has a veey long way to go before he'll be able to get court time in the NBA imho, though he's a hard one to gauge so i could be wrong. 

I think id be much more comfortable gambling on Labissiere to be honest.  the only thing I've seen of maker that impressed me were his glorified mix tapes.  once you watch actually game / workout footage he looks far, far from an NBA player to me.  He looks like a really tall and undeveloped high school kid...which is basically what He is.

This. He'd be a nice upside pick with #31 but I don't think he's worth taking in the first round. The DraftExpress video of his weaknesses is apalling. He lacks any feel for the game right now and his just aren't there like the highlight videos suggest. That his team didn't want him playing in 5-on-5's is probably smart for him because he probably can't compete with the rest of these guys.