Dallas Mavericks Guard Max Christie prepared for opportunities after trading from Lakers – Andscape

While Max Christie stood still at the opposite end of Los Angeles Lakers’ dressing room after a recent win, LeBron James offered respect for his then teammate who earned himself into the starting lineup.

“He gets better and better,” James said of Christie after Lakers’ 111-88 victory over Washington Wizards in Los Angeles on January 21. “That’s what this league is about. First of all, you get the opportunity. You get the confidence from your coaches and then you put the work in. Who is on the floor for us at the time of the game, we trust them to play. He continues to get better and better. He is still young. Super young. “

And now the 21-year-old, baby-facing Christie has a chance to get better as a new member of Dallas Mavericks.

Mavericks shocked the sports world by shopping superstar guard Luka Doncic for Los Angeles Lakers Sunday. Mavericks also treated the Center Maxi Kleber and tips Morris Morris for Lakers for 10-time NBA All-Star Tip Anthony Davis, a first round and Christie from 2029. While Davis was the transcending acquisition of Mavericks, team president Nico Harrison is also excited about Add Christie, a young, athletic 6-foot-6-guard who can shoot and defend.

“Max Christie was a lakers who started shooting guard,” Harrison told up even. “He doesn’t miss any game. He protects all the best 2 stores in the league. He is durable. He gets his hands on a lot of balls. His shot is really nice. He’s bouncing. We are excited about him. He will help us. “

Christie is expected to get out of the bench for Dallas behind the veterinarian Klay Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star. With Lakers, however, Christie had started since mid-December after two-plus seasons primarily as a reserve. As a starter in 25 games for Lakers, Christie was an average of 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 3-Pointers made per. Fight of 28.4 minutes per Match this season.

While first-year Lakers head coach JJ Redick was not very familiar with Christie when he was hired, the latter eventually earned his coach’s confidence after a lack of start to the season. Redick said Christie was in a “hard place” because of his lack of experience and the challenge of living up to the pressure of being on Lakers. But Christie’s star’s defensive game eventually landed him in the starting lineup.

“He trusts who he is as a player,” Redick said of Christie. “I trust who he can be and who he is now as a player.”

Christie said, “My confidence grew certainly just to be in these situations. Getting the confidence of coaches and teammates certainly meant a lot to me. I felt really good. I felt I was playing the best basketball in my career so far. I look forward to trying to continue this. “

The former Michigan State Guard was taken with the 35th total election in the second round of 2022 NBA draft. Christie came primarily from the bench during his first two seasons in the NBA. He went into his third season that came from the bench for Lakers, but instead of getting frustrated, Christie continued to work on his game, became much stronger through the guidance of Laker’s strength and conditioning coach Randy Flores and used a positive mentality for to travel up. Christie also looked closely at how James, Davis and former Lakers teammate Russell Westbrook worked and prepared for games.

“Perspective is everything, especially for players who were in my position where you want to play, you want to play, you put all work in, (but) it doesn’t come right away,” Christie said. “But for me, my perspective (to see) was the guys we have in the dressing room and be able to study them, learn from, and then know that the opportunity is eventually coming. It’s a long season …

“And for me, when this opportunity came, I was always prepared just because I didn’t stop when I felt I didn’t get playing time. I stayed in the gym. I stayed in the weight room with Randy. I saw movies. I asked questions. So I felt I had all the answers that went into the game. For me, it was just confidence in knowing that I have done everything I can to prepare at the moment and the opportunity. “

Another key for Christie as a NBA player is the development of his mental strength.

Christie said he has spoken to advisers and therapists since his rookie season with Lakers. Christie’s mother, Katrina Christie, is a professional psychologist who specializes in mental health. Max Christie said he is one, “Attorney for the importance of the mind of the game.” Only 25% of African Americans are looking for mental health care, according to Mass General Brigham McLean Hospital.

“I’ve been talking to them for three years now,” Christie said of listening to therapists. “And then my mother is also a therapist. So it is phenomenal for me to have one like it all the time. And they have put in a lot of smart things for me to realize when things do not go my way, to be able to have another perspective, be able to start the full figure.

“I have been blessed with the ability to see in that lens. It has helped me a lot. “

Christie scored 15 points during his last match with Lakers-a 128-112 road victory over New York Knicks on February 1st. About an hour after the game, he learned about the trade for Dallas, which was a “big shock to everyone. “Christie wants a lot of competition for playing time in Dallas, as the schedule includes a talented group of guards and small forward in Thompson, eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving, Caleb Martin, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum.

“It’s a big shock to anyone who has such a transition,” Christie said under Mavericks’ shoot around Philadelphia on Tuesday morning. “I still treat a lot of things and still try to get my feet under me. Just had shot around to get to know my teammates and get to know the new system. I’m a little more comfortable now, but it was a virtue of everyone. So I look forward to the new transition. “

Christie was in an envious part of the NBA world as a starting guard with Lakers playing with James. His brother, Cam, is a rookie guard with Los Angeles Clippers, and they regularly participated in each other’s games. Their parents also live in Los Angeles and also participate in both their games regularly.

Now Max Christie is now starting from scratch with Dallas on and off the field. He made his presence known in his first game, scored 15 points, went 4-for-4 on the 3-point attempt and also added nine rebounds, three assists and a steal of 32 minutes by a 118-116 road loss to Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday .

“A lot of emotions,” Christie told journalists afterwards. “Obviously, I still learn some of the sets and just the team’s personality. But I had fun out there even though we didn’t win. It was good to get back out there on the floor and get the first game out of the way. “