Written by Matt Velazquez at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.com
It would have made sense for Thon Maker to feel nervous entering Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday evening.
After all, the Milwaukee Bucks’ 7-foot-1 rookie center was starting in his first postseason game. Not only that, but he was doing so in Toronto, an hour away from Orangeville, Ontario, where he spent the final two years of high school.
Also, Saturday’s game came a day after the one-year anniversary of the NBA ruling him eligible to enter the 2016 NBA draft straight out of Orangeville Prep, a decision that set the stage for the Bucks to send shockwaves through the league by taking him 10th overall.
Maker was aware of all of this before Game 1 — the local media in Toronto wouldn’t let him forget — but wasn’t fazed by it as he played a critical role in the Bucks’ 97-83 victory over the Raptors.
“Last night was a special one because it was back home in Toronto, but it’s also more special because it’s the playoffs and this is what we play for,” Maker said Sunday. “For me, I was just very energized, just really playing and having fun, trying to win.
“I was not nervous at all. I was too hyped, for one thing. The crowd, the music, the environment, I was just very hyped. … The crowd may be against you, but you can use it in a positive way. It was very fun.”
As excited as Maker was, he didn’t immediately translate that feeling into production. He was solid in his 6 1/2-minute stint to open the game, grabbing an offensive rebound for a putback and battling on the defensive end, demonstrating he wasn’t afraid, including standing tall as Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan attempted to throw down a monster jam over him.
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