Milwaukee Bucks: Top 5 defensive players in 2018-19

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 26: Malcolm Brogdon #13 and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 26, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

5. Thon Maker

Not surprisingly, Thon Maker is the only “big” to make this list. While other guys such as Brook Lopez, Ersan Ilyasova and John Henson might be serviceable on defense, they have their major flaws.

Don’t get me wrong, Maker has his thaws as well. For one, he’s skinny as a toothpick and is far too often pushed around by the opposition. Maker is so weak for his position, guards often have no trouble moving him out of his spot.

In order to make up for that lack of body mass, Maker relies on his huge wingspan to cover ground. As evidenced in the few games Maker did play against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, he can be a serious force around the rim. Maker was swatting shots off the backboard left and right and made the Celtics think twice about coming inside. If he can replicate that for the rest of the season, Maker instantly becomes a defensive game-changer for Milwaukee.

Home/Milwaukee Bucks