JJ Redick praises Max Christie after preseason opener vs. Wolves
Max Christie got the start in the preseason opener for the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis out and took advantage of that opportunity.
The Lakers' first preseason game against the Timberwolves didn't feature LeBron James or Anthony Davis, who sat out. It also didn't result in a win, with Los Angeles losing to Minnesota 124-107.
Still, it's preseason, so it's a success as long as you come out of these games with no new injuries.
The Lakers stayed healthy and also had some individual standout performances, specifically Max Christie.
He started the game for Los Angeles and ended the night with 11 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes of play.
After the game, JJ Redick praised the play of his young Lakers guard.
"Max is an old soul," Redick said. "He's wise and he's mature and he takes this very seriously and I really appreciate that about him. So it's not a surprise to me that, in a game like this, he plays a lot of minutes, he doesn't hang his head, he just keeps competing. It's going to be very valuable for us this year."
Christie has been getting compliments for his work all summer. LeBron James has pointed out his quality and this isn't the first time Redick has drawn attention to Christie's game.
On Friday, Christie was a workhorse for this team and demonstrated why he's been getting so much trust, even if he still feels he has a lot to prove.
He was sharp defensively, played more than anyone else on the roster and had a team-high seven boards.
With more play like this from Christie, he can be the first player coming off the bench for this team. This gives the Lakers someone who can be relied on to hit the open jumpers, create a bit on the ball and defend well on the perimeter.
We've seen flashes of brilliance from Christie during his career, which is why the Lakers signed him to a 4-year, $32 million deal this summer.
Now, it's time to start producing. In his first chance to do so this year, Christie did just that.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.