The future of Australian Basketball feat. Thon Maker

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I think his basement will be around 20-25. And that's if he doesn't show up in workouts. He may not be a dynamite athlete, his hands may be small and he's still quite raw but 7-1 prospects with elite reach and let's face it, pretty nice coordination don't grow on trees. Far less talented centers have been drafted higher.
Agreed, but he's not a bit-part big bodied banger you can chuck in to your system for 5-10 minutes a night. Most teams will have to fundamentally change their system when he is on the floor (ironically a bit like Simmons).

Will be interesting to see what happens.
 

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stewie griffen

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Agreed, but he's not a bit-part big bodied banger you can chuck in to your system for 5-10 minutes a night. Most teams will have to fundamentally change their system when he is on the floor (ironically a bit like Simmons).

Will be interesting to see what happens.
He's got a bit of Giannis about him.

A team like OKC might take a flier on him, I'd certainly be keen on him at the Bulls as a project player, but we are picking a touch high to make that gamble
 

didaksrightfoot

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Agreed, but he's not a bit-part big bodied banger you can chuck in to your system for 5-10 minutes a night. Most teams will have to fundamentally change their system when he is on the floor (ironically a bit like Simmons).

Will be interesting to see what happens.
I don't think teams will have to change that much. The NBA is currently moving towards having 5-man offences with increased ball movement and everyone being required to pass or put it on the floor if needed. Maker at the 4 would fit those systems quite well. (but i know nothing about his jumpshot).

For example, if he were to drop that far, i would absolutely love the Spurs getting him at the end of the 1st round (as long as Pop was happy with his attitude). Put just a bit of muscle on him, and teach him to play in an NBA system (offence and defence) and I would be very intrigued to see how he could fit in a frontcourt alongside Kawhi and LMA in a couple of years. (basically as an alternate to Boris, or a more athletic version of what Anderson will hopefully become- though both have much higher bball IQ's, which isnt a criticism of Maker).
 

Shiv

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I don't think teams will have to change that much. The NBA is currently moving towards having 5-man offences with increased ball movement and everyone being required to pass or put it on the floor if needed. Maker at the 4 would fit those systems quite well. (but i know nothing about his jumpshot).

For example, if he were to drop that far, i would absolutely love the Spurs getting him at the end of the 1st round (as long as Pop was happy with his attitude). Put just a bit of muscle on him, and teach him to play in an NBA system (offence and defence) and I would be very intrigued to see how he could fit in a frontcourt alongside Kawhi and LMA in a couple of years. (basically as an alternate to Boris, or a more athletic version of what Anderson will hopefully become- though both have much higher bball IQ's, which isnt a criticism of Maker).
From reading articles about him, his attitude isn't the problem and he has a great motor. Biggest problem with him at the moment is his consistency, some games he apparently looks great and others absolutely raw.

Another Australian Emmanuel Malou could potentially be in the draft too...never heard of him. Anyone have any insight into this guy?

http://pickandroll.com.au/emmanuel-malou-files-paperwork-enter-2016-nba-draft/
 

JT_the_Man

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From reading articles about him, his attitude isn't the problem and he has a great motor. Biggest problem with him at the moment is his consistency, some games he apparently looks great and others absolutely raw.

Another Australian Emmanuel Malou could potentially be in the draft too...never heard of him. Anyone have any insight into this guy?

http://pickandroll.com.au/emmanuel-malou-files-paperwork-enter-2016-nba-draft/
Had not even heard of him... Tapped his name in Google and appears he also declared for the 2013 draft before pulling out. Seems like a good prospect, rejected offers from Kansas and Arizona.. I think he will be playing at Iowa State next season though.
 

Shiv

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Had not even heard of him... Tapped his name in Google and appears he also declared for the 2013 draft before pulling out. Seems like a good prospect, rejected offers from Kansas and Arizona.. I think he will be playing at Iowa State next season though.
Yeap same, think he is just putting his name out there to get a bit of attention for the next college season.
 

splendidham

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Olgun Uluc rated him very highly last year. (For those who don't know, Olgun is probably Australia's best writer on hoops). Said that Emmanuel may face eligibility issues, which may be why he declared. Basically a back up plan. Emmanuel also attempted to get drafted in 2013. He's already 20+ years I think, or that's what I recall reading some time back


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splendidham

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On a related note, can't wait till some of the Sudanese-Aussies start pick up a ball at an earlier age. With a few more years development than the guys currently coming through, could be some real great prospects coming through in the near future. I still feel deng adel will be the best out of the current lot. Can't wait to watch him next year


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Superstar swan

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Non issue.... really hoping he ends up at the lakers...from a selfish point of view, it would be pretty cool to have an aussie as the franchise players of the biggest and most famous basketball club in the world
 

Superstar swan

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I agree. I hate the Lakers but it would be sweet for Simmons to be their franchise player. It will just make it ******* expensive for decent seats to see him pay.

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I know lakere are talking about trading, but if they get the chance to take simmons they will.

Imagine the story, kobe handing the reigns to simmons...would be huge for australia...plus the lakers would be the best fit for ben financially when it comes to sponsors etc
 

splendidham

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http://www.stack.com/a/go-inside-thon-makers-training-for-the-nba-combine

Article on Thon Makers preparation for the NBA combine, pretty interesting article. Wants to develop a game that is similar to Kevin Garnets
His measurements came out about here expected at the combine. Many have said he has tiny hands but they aren't too small, plenty of similarly sized prospects appear to measure out about the same. I Se Skal's hands are actually slightly smaller. Seems to be some confusion over standing reach for a number of guys, too. A lot seem a bit on the low side.
Apparently Thon declined to work out in a 5 on 5 setting. Probably a good choice at this point. I was a bit disappointed that he appears to have bypassed the athletic testing as well. At least, I can't find any info on that regarding Thon at this point.

Anyway, here's a link to the measurements

https://mediacentral.nba.com/wp-con...2016-Draft-Combine-Anthropometric-Results.pdf
 

Happy Mastenator

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His measurements came out about here expected at the combine. Many have said he has tiny hands but they aren't too small, plenty of similarly sized prospects appear to measure out about the same. I Se Skal's hands are actually slightly smaller. Seems to be some confusion over standing reach for a number of guys, too. A lot seem a bit on the low side.
Apparently Thon declined to work out in a 5 on 5 setting. Probably a good choice at this point. I was a bit disappointed that he appears to have bypassed the athletic testing as well. At least, I can't find any info on that regarding Thon at this point.

Anyway, here's a link to the measurements

https://mediacentral.nba.com/wp-con...2016-Draft-Combine-Anthropometric-Results.pdf
He's a genuine 7 footer. That'll help him. Not surprised he's skipped the athlete testing, he's still thin and won't have the explosion that some of the older guys will have. Apparently he's working out with one of the big time trainers so he should improve enough to be ok in tryouts.
 

splendidham

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^^ Yeah. I personally think he can improve his explosion a lot with NBA training

Edit* Thon just needs to hire this guy to thicken up his legs. 38yo, 6'1', 300lb power lifter dunking like a demon. Thon's legs look they could snap. I think he even lost weight since the last time he was weighed



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The latest mock draft on bleacher report has Thon Maker jumped up to pick 10

1. Philadelphia 76ers F Ben Simmons, LSU
2. Los Angeles Lakers SF Brandon Ingram, Duke
3. Boston Celtics (via BKN) PF Dragan Bender, Croatia
4. Phoenix Suns SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
5. Minnesota Timberwolves SF Jaylen Brown, California
6. New Orleans Pelicans SG Jamal Murray, Kentucky
7. Denver Nuggets (via NYK) C Jakob Poeltl, Utah
8. Sacramento Kings PG Kris Dunn, Providence
9. Toronto Raptors PF Henry Ellenson, Marquette
10. Milwaukee Bucks C Thon Maker, Orangeville Prep
 

splendidham

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Keanu Pinder just committed to Arizona which is where Thon said he probably would have gone or was that Arizona St? I think Daniel Mading (Thon's cousin), another Perth boy committed there too


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