Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie is preparing for his first season on a new and lucrative contract. His college coach, Tom Izzo, weighed in.
When the Los Angeles Lakers invested an early second-round draft pick in former Michigan State Spartans shooting guard Max Christie, many assumed that his development would be a high priority. After two seasons riding the pine, however, Christie appeared to be left on the outside looking in.
Los Angeles moved to correct past mistakes this summer by re-signing Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract that all but declared his status as a franchise building block.
After thriving as a freshman with Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans in 2021-22, Christie declared for the NBA Draft. Although he was selected by the Lakers early in Round 2, he struggled to find playing time under previous head coach Darvin Ham.
In a recent interview with Seth Davis of CBS Sports (h/t Bleacher Report), Izzo offered a ringing endorsement of Christie as a person and player.
“He’s an unbelievable kid. He’s coachable as the day is long. Smart. I think his best basketball is ahead of him. I think he’s going to have a great pro career because he’ll guard you. And he’s really a good shooter. He didn’t shoot as well his first year [at Michigan State], because that happens. But he’s not afraid to guard you, either, so I think he’s a two-way player and I think those kind of guys are valuable in the league.”
That’s an incredible quote from Izzo, who has mountains of experience and perspective to inform his opinion of what makes a successful player.
Tom Izzo offers high praise for Lakers wing Max Christie
For as talented as Christie is, Izzo’s comments are far more intriguing than a simple acknowledgment of what he’s capable of on the court. The Michigan State legend spoke to Christie’s willingness to take coaching and not only accept, but work on his flaws.
It’s the ultimate characteristic of a young player who has upside to explore, as Christie appears to be the type of individual who’s willing to endure the hardships of introspection.
The Lakers clearly took note of this when they handed Christie a four-year contract despite the limited playing time he’d previously received. His poise in the face of adversity certainly bodes well for the market he’s playing in.
In addition to being teammates with two of the top 10 players in the NBA in Anthony Davis and LeBron James, Christie is preparing to make his name in a city that accepts nothing less than a title as a measure of success.
As far as his talent is concerned, Christie has it in spades. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school who quickly justified the hype with a season at Michigan State that earned him Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.
He struggled to shoot and score with efficiency with the Spartans, but his Lakers career has been indicative of the upside he possesses in that regard.
Through two NBA seasons, Christie has knocked down 37.8 percent of his 180 three-point field goal attempts. If he manages to become a reliable defender, he could occupy the 3-and-D role that the Lakers desperately need to fill in 2024-25.
If Izzo’s comments prove anything, it’s that Christie will take what Lakers head coach JJ Redick says in stride and do everything in his power to turn in a strong 2024-25 campaign.
