Our Game
Years ago

Thon Maker is an Alien

Seriously though, we've all seen various Thon mixes, does anyone else recognize significant physical advancement of late? (see link below), increased quickness, becoming obviously more explosive & using it with devastating effect as he matures.
Seems like a very grounded, bright kid too.

Link below shows a truly bizarre skill-set, hard to predict the future of a player for which there's no precedent, unless someone can suggest a 7"+ player past or present for comparison.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E9P4M21UXsk

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Anonymous
Years ago

He's like a combination of Kevin Garnett and Nerlen's Noel.

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Our Game
Years ago

"He's like a combination of Kevin Garnett and Nerlen's Noel."

Interesting but he's already a significantly larger athlete than either of those guys @17yo.

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natwhereyouat
Years ago

He's ball handing ability has come on ten fold! Exciting times!

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Anonymous
Years ago

Yeah, that's a much better mix than the usual dunk-and-shoot-3s ones around for him. Getting to the basket aggressively is a whole lot more sustainable than shooting 25% or whatever it is from downtown. I think Garnett is a reasonable comparison for him, and I'd be thrilled if he ends up that good.

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The Dream
Years ago

Isaiah Austin had the same hype about him in high school , chill

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Isaac
Years ago

The handle isn't perfect, but it's definitely miles ahead of others at that size. If he can shoot at anything approaching a reasonable percentage and perform adequate paint duties, he will be exceptionally rare with that agility even if he never packs on weight.

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The Dream
Years ago

plus he playing high school ball

preppy leagues or something weak like that

not hood balling like they used too in the 90s

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Our Game
Years ago

Isaiah Austin is the right height/reach for comparison (both can almost touch the basket without jumping), similarly rare soft touch @that size, Austin lacked the outright mobility that Thon has & was rarely an intimidator around the basket.

Garnett presents an interesting comparison as he never really added a great deal of weight to his thin frame & it's not been an issue for him, may have compensated with unusual core strength.

I'd think Thon has 4-5 inches of standing reach over KG to work with (so far) & generally more tools at his disposal. Would love if he had half of KG's Nasty.

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The Dream
Years ago

yeah bring the funk back

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Anonymous
Years ago

His potential is ridiculous. If he can put on weight and strength and maintain that mobility he's gonna be scary. One thing that really gets undersold is his jump shot. He may be shooting poor percentages but his actually shooting mechanics are great.

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Damooo
Years ago

Which is why Basketball Australia has to do everything in their power to sign him up.

Even play him in the national team before he's ready, think of that future with Exum, Simmons and others! (plus Bogut, Patty etc etc).

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Anonymous
Years ago

There's some offensive resemblance to Isaiah Austin, but Austin didn't have that shot blocking ability. The criticism of Austin was that he fell in love with the perimeter game too much, and failed to create all the high percentage looks his physical tools should have led to. Seeing more of Thon attacking the basket is a good step towards avoiding that trap.

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LC
Years ago

Maker has earlier this year stated he would be make himself available to represent Australia in the FIBA U19 WC's in Greece (Crete) next year.

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Anonymous
Years ago

I was watching the most recent video of him before and damn, i've never seen a 7 footer move like that. Craaazy.

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Our Game
Years ago

"The handle isn't perfect, but it's definitely miles ahead of others at that size"

I agree it's not perfect but I keep thinking, I have no idea what a seven footer breaking someone down off the dribble is supposed to look like:)

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Anonymous
Years ago

Would it look like Kevin Durant breaking someone down off the dribble, but just a little taller?

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Our Game
Years ago

"Would it look like Kevin Durant breaking someone down off the dribble, but just a little taller?"

No, it would it look like Dikembe Mutombo breaking someone down off the dribble.

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Anonymous
Years ago

Man, those crossovers at 45 seconds are just ridiculous for a 7'1 player.

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Hoops

Thon Maker is an Alien

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