We had left Max Christie in July last year, when the brand new rear of the Lakers had just painfully punctuated his first Summer League (Sacramento and Las Vegas), frankly failed (7.4 points at 27% on shots). A regular season in an incubator later (41 games and 13 minutes on average), the future sophomore of the “Purple & Gold” franchise is back for its second summer league, and this time it’s off to a good start.
His performance tonight against the Heat: 17 points (6/11 on shots), 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and above all a much more reassuring visual impression than that of last year. With a year of NBA in the sneakers (and therefore advice from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, in particular), the former Michigan State is much more confident.
” It’s always interesting to observe a player in his second summer league, to see how he behaves on both sides of the pitch », thus noted JD DuBois, the coach of the Lakers this summer. ” I continue to challenge him, to tell him to always give defense and rebound. In attack, he crosses levels. »
A more racy striker
Among the “novelties” of Max Christie’s offensive game: a few ball-in-hand sequences, he who operated almost exclusively as an “off-ball” shooter in the NCAA. This night, for example, we observed him on a few occasions in hand-to-hand schemes, the Illinois native then not hesitating to attack the circle.
” Yes, this is indeed a point that I want to implement this summer. Knowing how to unlock situations, for myself and for my teammates “, confirms the rear of 20 years. ” More broadly, it’s about being comfortable with the ball in your hands, being a pure second back. I have the feeling that I was pretty good on this point today, to have managed the tempo quite well, and alternated quite well in my decisions. »
At his side in Los Angeles since the very beginning, last summer, Cole Swider, too sophomore at the start of the school year, notice in any case an obvious difference between this Summer League, and that of the summer of 2022.
” I think he is also more mature physically. And therefore more in control of his basketball notes the former academic at Villanova and Syracuse. ” It reads the game faster. He can shoot from mid-range, 3-pointers and can use his dribble to go to the circle. I also like his progress in defense. But overall, in my opinion, it is above all his state of mind that has evolved. He landed, his routine is finally found. He works hard. It is a real satisfaction to have been able to observe its evolution throughout this past year. »
After a false start in 2022, Max Christie therefore seems ready to finally reveal his potential. The Summer League should be a formality… before making its mark with the big boys at the start of the school year?
” I am confident. Now I begin my ascent. “, he concludes in any case.
