Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd took a chance deciding to start his lanky rookie forward Thon Maker in this season's playoffs to the surprise of many. But even more surprising was his reasoning for which he did.
Jason Kidd said Bucks didn't want to "waste" Thon Maker's season and decided limited minutes as the starter was the way to go.
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) April 18, 2017
Kidd had been going with Greg Monroe at center in spurts throughout the season, but opted to once again shift him to a bench role as the sixth man — choice which has paid dividends the first two games of the series.
Maker, though a very inexperienced rookie, provides the length needed at center, though playing out of his natural position, but it's not like Kidd ever cared about that anyway.
Monroe is able to come off the bench and be the focal point of the offense, using him as a primary scorer or pivot man off the high post.
In his combined 35 minutes through two games, Maker has five blocks to show for, while scoring nine points on 4-of-9 shooting. His length and defensive posture gives Milwaukee a threat near the rim other than Giannis Antetokounmpo that can turn shots away.
Monroe was brilliant in the first two playoff outings of his seven-year career, racking up a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double off the bench in Game 1, and a solid 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting in Game 2.
Whether Kidd's reasons for Maker's inclusion in the lineup are feasible or not — they're working — and the Bucks won't complain about his tactics as long as they keep bringing results as they head into Game 3 at the Bradley Center.
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