Max Christie discusses preparation as the Lakers’ primary defensive stopper

JJ Redick recently made the decision to insert third-year guard Max Christie into the Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup in the role of defensive stopper, and the results have been solid so far. Despite facing the likes of Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox and Cade Cunningham, Christie has held his own and made it difficult for these All-Star talents.

This is Christie’s first real opportunity in a significant starting role at this level, and the increase in minutes and responsibility may be difficult for some to adjust to. But Christie has built a routine to take care of his body, and it’s serving him well, especially with a Christmas Day matchup against Stephen Curry on the horizon.

“I’ve built a routine since I’ve been in the league for the last two and a half years,” Christie said after the Lakers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons. “It has changed a bit, but for the most part it is very much just recovering and taking care of my body, that is the biggest thing. Like you said, I had a big task tonight on Cade, he’s a bigger guard, I used a lot of energy. And then for Christmas I got Steph Curry. So it’s a big challenge I’m willing to take on and for me I just have to prepare at an elite level and I think I tend to do that on a consistent basis for all these fights.

“So for me it’s just staying consistent with my routine of taking care of my body, hydrating a lot, eating right and getting enough sleep, doing all the little things because they will add up and I think that They will hopefully benefit me at Christmas when I guard a top 10 player of all time. So I’m excited for the opportunity, you don’t get that much. So looking forward to it.”

Sometimes young players can lose sight of how important it is to take care of your body off the court, but Christie has already locked down that part, allowing him to thrive in his new role with the Lakers. His 17 points against the Pistons were a season high, but he’s still more focused on how he performs defensively.

“I feel really good. Tonight was a good offensive game for me, so it feels great, but I wouldn’t say I measure my success on that end,” Christie added. “It’s more on the defensive end, and I think tonight I did a solid job. My primary matchup was Cade Cunningham, he is an elite All-Star level player. He still ended up with 20, 10 and 5, but I thought I did a good job just trying to make it difficult for him. He’s a great player, he wants to make tough shots. But overall, I think I’m in a pretty good place right now.”

During the season, there was a lot of optimism that Christie would become a key part of this Lakers rotation. After a rough start to the year, he finally seems to be coming into his own and becoming the ideal 3-and-D wing that the team needs.

Max Christie wants to continue to grow after becoming a starter for the Lakers

Max Christie has grown from never seeing the court as a rookie to a full-fledged starter in his third season with the Lakers. But the wing is not satisfied and wants to continue its growth.

“It feels good and it’s pretty cool just to see the progression and growth of me over the last three years, to be honest,” Christie said. “I think I’ve slowly gotten a little bit better, been put in more intense situations, more important situations, and I think it’s good experiences for me to guard a dynamic player like Ja at the end of the game. I think it’s cool for me to just reflect on the growth I’ve had. I want to continue that.”

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