Three days into Lakers coaching camp and Jaxson Hayes has seen sufficient out of Max Christie to heap reward on the second-year guard.
“Max Christie is a dog,” Hayes informed the media Thursday when requested who has stood out in his eyes.
Hayes paused for just a few seconds after which repeated himself, with emphasis.
“Max Christie is a dog!” Hayes mentioned. “His game has stood out a lot to me. I watched him in Summer League. Obviously, Summer League is one thing playing against younger guys. He’s come out here and just kept the same energy and the same mentality, so he’s been killing it. So, his game surprised me a lot. I already knew he was a good player, but he can really go.”
On a Lakers group with a lot expertise and a lot depth, the query turns into how can Christie break into the rotation to get some taking part in time.
He is listed on most depth charts because the third-string guard, behind starter Austin Reaves and backup Cam Reddish.
But his improved play within the Summer League in Las Vegas left an impression on the Lakers, they usually see a path by which Christie would possibly be capable of carve out some minutes this season.
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“I put the onus on him not just to go out and try to really thrust himself into all of those minutes and be a leader for the team on the court, but also be vocal and help the coaches out, partner with the coaches and just get that much more familiar what it is we want to do on the court as a team once we get our regular guys back,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned. “And to show that you’re ready to punch your ticket into the rotation. He’s embraced that wholeheartedly.”
During Summer League, Christie, 20, put the Lakers on discover that he’s keen to work for a job on this stacked group by averaging 19 factors, 6.3 rebounds and three.7 assists over three video games. He shot 45.7% from the sector and 50% from three-point vary.
He labored on his physique, including muscle to his 6-foot-5 body.
Christie is exhibiting the Lakers how critical he’s about his craft.
“He’s already aggressive,” Ham mentioned. “He has to have a defensive focus and just the right way offensively, which he does. And really turn up the aggression. He’s one of our most athletic players. He’s done a phenomenal job of working on his body this summer, too. He’s added some muscle. He can shoot it. … [I told him,] ‘Just simplify, shoot the three when you’re open. When you put it on the floor, make sure you’re going downhill if you’re not going into another action with a teammate.’ That’s what he can do: Stay competitive, defend like there’s no tomorrow, keep it simple but yet aggressive offensively.”
Christie is looking like another quality draft pick by the Lakers, who took him in the second round with the 35th pick in 2022 out of Michigan State.
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He played in 41 games last season, averaging 12.5 minutes and 3.1 points, and shooting 41.9% from three-point range. He appeared in nine playoff games for the Lakers, averaging 3.7 points on 50% shooting.
And Christie has displayed the potential to defend multiple positions.
“He has that capability and he’s solid,” Ham mentioned. “He would not play exterior of himself. You give him some marching orders and he’ll execute, whether or not it is a person project or the place he must be inside ideas of group protection. A very, actually sensible child. High IQ and actually simply strong throughout.”
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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
