LOS ANGELES – Because the 2024-25 season approaches, Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie was maybe the principle actor on the checklist that would take a giant step ahead.
The No. 35 general decide within the 2022 NBA Draft, Christie confirmed flashes in two uneven seasons however was basically given a brand new roster with the arrival of recent head coach JJ Redick.
However Christie bought off to a sluggish begin this season and finally discovered himself out of the crew’s rotation. For quite a lot of causes, together with inconsistent bench play and accidents, he discovered himself within the rotation and was far more constant together with his capturing.
Following the Lakers’ 101-93 loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Friday, Christie defined what he attributes to his improved stage of play and why his capturing has declined.
“To be trustworthy, I simply attempt to keep aggressive and have full confidence in my shot. I work exhausting sufficient day-after-day to imagine it, and I wasn’t actually fearful about beginning off sluggish,” Christie stated. “It’s going to occur finally. I feel I am in a reasonably good rhythm so I am going to attempt to proceed like that. However for me, it is only a matter of confidence. I feel that is it. Mentally, I’ve gotten actually good at it, so I am simply going to attempt to proceed on that path.
Towards the Thunder, Christie completed with eight factors on 2-of-3 capturing from the sector, together with a clutch shot within the fourth quarter which allowed the Lakers to remain within the sport.
Max Christie’s position for the Lakers this season
Over the past 5 video games, though the Lakers have gone 1-4 throughout that stretch, Christie has performed extra of the position the crew and followers envisioned for the season.
Within the Lakers’ win over the San Antonio Spurs on November 27, he scored 12 factors on 4-of-6 capturing from the sector in 22 minutes of play. Throughout that five-game stretch, he shot 67 for p.c from the sector and 37.5 p.c from the three-point line.
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In the course of the season, Christie appeared in 18 of the Lakers’ 19 video games at simply over 17 minutes per sport. He’s averaging 5.1 factors, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists with splits of 44.1 p.c capturing from the sector, 29 p.c capturing from the three-point line and 88 p.c on pictures from the free throw line.
His three-point share is not as environment friendly correctly, however his improved capturing suggests it would enhance. Christie talked about taking part in towards LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the way that might assist enhance effectivity.
“AD and Bron are nice passers. I feel we do an excellent job once we get these alternatives,” Christie stated. “We do an honest job. Clearly AD and Bron are actually, actually good gamers and are going to attract a number of consideration, so it is as much as us, everybody else, to chop in, discover open house and knock these pictures down.
The Lakers hit the highway for a four-game sequence, beginning Sunday towards the Utah Jazz, then persevering with with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Warmth and Atlanta Hawks, respectively.