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The fact Im in the NBA still feels kind of weird.Seventeen games into the 2016-17 NBA season, and its all too surreal for Thon Maker as he tries to come to grips with his new life in the NBA.Makers journey from highly-touted prospect to unknown NBA commodity after being drafted 10th overall by Milwaukee in June has not been without its bumps in the road.By his own admission the Sudanese-born Australian still has a lot to learn about the intricacies of the NBA game. His playing time has been sporadic - at best - but that doesnt mean Maker is not utilising his time on the bench to make mental notes of habits hell need to pick up as a rotation player.Simple things like defensive rotations, where the guys gonna be in the right spots, said Maker. I hear the coaches behind me yelling to certain guys to be on the floor at a certain time, so for me, Im watching that from the bench and when I get my chance Ill be ready. Thats a great way for me to prepare - Im seeing it, and in practice Im going through it so when it comes to games Ill be ready.Its during vigorous practice sessions where Maker will be able to hone his craft in lieu of playing time for the moment. Whereas some teams may opt to send their rookies to the NBA D-League to develop, the Bucks prefer to keep Maker with them and allow him the luxury of competing against NBA talent daily.Were gonna keep Thon up as much as we can, said Bucks coach Jason Kidd pregame. Let him go up against Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and Jabari [Parker] in practice. Thats the best D-League you can go against. Going against Moose [Greg Monroe] and John [Henson] and Miles [Plumlee], I think thats the best way of getting better [by] going against those guys.Maker agrees with his coachs assessment.Since the draft we been going against each other every single day in practice and Ive gotten better by a whole lot, he said. For me it doesnt make sense if I downgrade from whats making me better.In practice its pretty intense because there is depth not only in my position but others and you never know where you are going to end up on court.So you just go at it every day and compete, its very competitive and everyone is like that.Hopes are high that the Bucks will be able to unearth another diamond in the rough with Maker - much like they did with Antetokounmpo - a player with which the Australian shares more than a few similarities.I think their build is very similar, athletically theyre very similar, Kidd said. Maker is another 7-footer that can put it on the floor, in the small time that hes gotten on the floor, he understands how to play. Its just a matter of the process of being patient but continuing to work hard.Maker stresses the importance of staying ready; of preparation being key so when his number is called by Kidd, hes able to deliver. One aspect of his game that he says he is continuing to work on daily is his shooting.I work on my shot every day because no one is going to block me at seven-feet tall, good luck to them if they do. I work on pump fakes and stuff but you have to get your shot down first, then you play chess from then on with pump fakes, drives or whatever.One such chess move brought Maker national attention when he crossed over Chris Birdman Anderson in Cleveland on Tuesday. Anderson couldnt keep up with the more athletic Maker, and ended up on the floor - and SportsCenter highlights.I wasnt looking to make a highlight play or anything like that - I was just playing basketball. I was about to use the screen but I saw the defence there and the clock was winding down so I had to go the other way.He cut me off and I stepped back - that was just instinct, I wasnt trying to do a highlight play.Makers work ethic and ability to create the highlight play bode well for his future in the league, according to Matthew Dellavedova.He hasnt been playing but we all see how he has been improving in the weight room and on the practice court, Dellavedova said.I think he is going to be a great player in the league and you can see how excited everyone is when he goes into the game and scores or gets a block. Fake Jerseys Outlet . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. 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Andy Farrell has endorsed Rory Best as a contender to captain the British and Irish Lions next summer.Ireland assistant Farrell is expected to be named as Lions defence coach when boss Warren Gatland confirms his back room staff on December 7.And former England coach Farrell has hailed Ireland skipper Best as among the nucleus of stars who can be under serious consideration to lead the Lions three-Test tour to New Zealand.Best will win his 100th Ireland cap in Saturdays autumn Test clash with Australia in Dublin, amid firm backing over his Lions credentials from Farrell.Theres no doubt that hes a contender when hes doing as good a job as he is for his national team and his national team is doing pretty well, said Farrell, of Bests potential candidacy as Lions captain.Hes a big part of that so he has to be right up there doesnt he?Wales flanker Sam Warburton and England hooker Dylan Hartley have so far been the bookies front-runners to assume the Lions captaincy next summer.But since assuming Irelands armband Best has led Ireland to a first-ever victory over the Springboks on South African soil in June, and also a maiden win over New Zealand this autumn.Ulsters everggreen hooker Best has been roundly hailed as producing the finest rugby of his career, despite hitting 34 years of age.dddddddddddd. And Farrell insisted the gritty farmers son has the cool demeanour that marks out the sharpest leaders.Farrells backing certainly carries weight given the former dual-code international is all-but inked in as part of Gatlands Lions coaching staff.As a player given the ups and downs of international rugby, when youve got 100 caps youve certainly been through a hell of a lot, said Farrell. Your experience of how you deal not just with your own game and the players around you for the feel of the game in the white-hot heat of the moment is priceless.Thats what Ive been super impressed with: not only is Rory laying his body on the line but his decision-making and his calmness under pressure in the big games that weve been in, certainly since Ive been here in the last six months, has been fantastic to watch.Thats proper leadership, thats what that is, so anyone who has that skill or that trait has to be up there. ' ' '