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Lakers’ Max Christie looking to further showcase on-ball skills in summer league

July 5, 2023

SACRAMENTO — Even as a second-year player, Lakers guard Max Christie has something to prove during summer league.

This was on display in the Lakers’ 107-90 Monday loss to the Miami Heat to tip off the six-team California Classic.

While the loss wasn’t a positive, Christie’s stat line was: 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds and four assists.

But even more encouraging for Christie’s long-term development – and as a potential consistent rotation piece for the Lakers’ main roster in 2023-24 – was not just what he did, but how he played.

“Always good to see a player in their second summer league, just their disposition on both ends of the floor,” Lakers summer league coach JD DuBois said. “Continuing to challenge him to defend and rebound. The offense will continue to take its steps as well.”

Christie, the No. 35 selection in the 2022 NBA draft, played with the poise of a former draft pick going through his second opportunity in the summer league circuit.

The most notable development he showed was offensively as a ball-handler and creator for himself and others in the halfcourt.

Christie had multiple drives where he used his improved handle to manipulate his defender, creating space to get inside the paint and finish or kick out to a teammate.

“It was something I was definitely working on over the summer,” Christie said. “Just being able to make plays for myself and others, being comfortable with the ball in my hands. I thought I did a good job of controlling my pace, controlling the tempo, finding guys and then creating for myself as well.”

Christie played under control and was decisive for all 32 minutes he played.

“It just comes down to experience,” Christie said. “I remember last year in summer league, definitely felt sped up. I wasn’t familiar with the game. I was sort of just trying to find my way out there.

“But now that I’ve got a full year of a full NBA season and even watching in the playoffs and seeing how guys play their games, I’m sort of in that position where I can execute that for myself. That was sort of shown [Monday]. I tried to keep my pace slow. Play at my pace, not let them speed me up. That’s something I’ve been working on.”

Christie also added muscle to his frame during the offseason.

Before summer league started, he estimated he weighed between 200-205 pounds, a significant uptick from the 190 pounds he was listed at for the 2022-23 season.

The extra weight should help him handle physicality better on both ends, making it easier to finish through contact at the rim and guard bigger guards/wings.

There were moments during Monday’s game where Christie was moved or knocked off his spot, but he overall held up well physically.

“He’s matured a lot in his body,” said forward Cole Swider. “He’s matured a lot in his game as well. He’s making a lot quicker decisions. He’s able to make that midrange jump shot. He’s able to shoot the 3. He’s able to beat guys off the dribble and use his body and finish over guys. And then defensively, he’s always been super solid. It’s been really great to see him progress over the past year.”

Most second-year players on standard roster contracts don’t play entire summer-league slates, so Christie may not play a full summer league schedule.

The Lakers play again Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center before competing in the league-wide Summer League in Las Vegas, starting with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors Friday.

An area Christie said he can improve on during summer league is not passing up as many 3-pointers as he did Monday.

“I was trying to put it on the floor too much,” he said. “Not that I wasn’t confident in the 3, I’m just so used to putting pressure on the rim. That’s something I can improve on for sure.

“In terms of being more aggressive, that’s something I can definitely work on. I’ll let the game come to me. At the same time, I want to be sure I’m being the catalyst for the team because I feel like if I’m the catalyst, everybody will sort of follow and that’ll lead to more wins. Just trying to find that balance. That’s what summer league is for – seeing what you can improve on and taking it one step at a time.”

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Orange County Register

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Lakers’ Max Christie looking to further showcase on-ball skills in summer league

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