MILWAUKEE -- Despite the Milwaukee Bucks' impressive start, the first few weeks of the Mike Budenholzer era have led to some uncertain moments for Thon Maker.

Milwaukee's first-round pick -- No. 10 overall -- had played sparingly through the Bucks' first 14 games this season. He didn't even step foot on the court in their first four contests before getting 12 minutes of work at the tail end of a blowout victory at Minnesota.

Maker stayed positive and continued to give full effort in practice; something Budenholzer took notice of and led to a brief conversation last week.