After losing all their games in the California Summer League Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets to open play in the Las Vegas Summer League. The Lakers won both games with several players scoring in double digits. The team is looking to use the tournament to evaluate and develop their young talent.
Lakers Win Back to Back Summer League Games Behind Max Christie
Lakers Player Spotlight
Second-year guard Max Christie came into Summer League on a mission to show the front office he deserves to be in the rotation. So far Christie has been impressive, leading the team in scoring and playing with confidence on the court. He has proven to have the potential to be a key contributor off the bench and a valuable asset to the team.
Max Christie Stock on the Rise
Christie has proven he can be a leader on the floor and handle pressure in crucial moments. Knocking down 7-7 free throws for the Lakers while receiving MVP chants. Moreover, he is a great team player and is willing to do the small things to help his teammates succeed.
Max Christie really got "MVP" chants in Vegas 😅 pic.twitter.com/BKqG1GrcWw
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 8, 2023
Christie has proven he can be a leader on the floor and handle pressure in crucial moments, knocking down 7-7 free throws for the Lakers while receiving MVP chants. Moreover, he is a great team player and is willing to do the small things to help his teammates succeed. In game two vs the Hornets, he demonstrated his ability to be a facilitator scoring 11 points while contributing six assists. His second year playing in the summer league has come full circle, he has become more comfortable on the floor and his team-first mentality is also much appreciated as it helps to create a winning culture in the team.
If you can help your teammates improve and score effectively at the same time, it makes you much more valuable down the stretch. This is especially true in the playoffs where the Lakers lacked versatility in scoring. Christie brings a young, enthusiastic approach to the game of basketball, which an aging LeBron James embraces playing with younger players now in his career.
it’s time to start a dialogue about Max Christie pic.twitter.com/WoeN3szEIS
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 8, 2023
Christie could very well be the future starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. If he can continue to develop, Christie will be an important part of the Lakers’ future success.
Lakers’ Investment in Swider Paying Off
Last summer, the Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Cole Swider as an undrafted free agent. Since then he has played in the G-League for the South Bay Lakers where he averaged 17.1 points and 43.6% from three-point range. Los Angeles invested in Swider as a potential knock-down shooter and he is showing that he can be a valuable asset for the team in the future.
Oh, Cole Swider is shooting that thing tonight!
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) July 8, 2023
Swider was the second leading scorer for the Lakers vs the Warriors with 19 points and 5 out of 8 from three-point range. He has the ability to create shots for himself, find his teammates, and be a threat from beyond the arc, which the Lakers are lacking.
Los Angeles invested in Swider as a potential knock-down shooter and he is showing that he can be a valuable asset for the team in the future. He has the ability to create shots for himself and find his teammates including a threat from beyond the arc.
Lakers Colin Castleton
The Lakers signed Colin Castleton to a two-way contract this season after he started 26 games for the University of Florida last season. He averaged 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.0 blocks in 31.2 minutes per game. Castleton has played in four summer league games so far and has been impressive, shooting 71.8% on 2-point attempts from the field. He was the leading scorer for the Lakers with 21 points and 14 rebounds vs the Hornets. Castleton’s performance in the summer league has earned him high praise from the Lakers’ coaching staff.
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jalen Hood-Schifino had a below-par performance and finished with nine points. Schifino’s Summer League performance so far has been average but with the right people behind him and some time in the G League, he could develop into a strong player.
The more games Schifino plays the more comfortable he looks on the court. In game two vs the Hornets, he came out more aggressive. If he can keep working on his skills, he has a high ceiling. Schifino finished with 15 points and five assists vs Charlotte. He showed he could hit from the outside and put pressure on the defense. His ability to drive the lane and make plays for his teammates is also improving. With more experience, Schifino could become an integral part of the team.
Lakers – Hornets
The Lakers face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Lakers have won their last two games and look to extend their winning streak against the Celtics. Boston, on the other hand, is coming off back-to-back losses and desperately needs a victory. It should be an exciting matchup between two teams looking to make a statement in the summer league.
The rooks were ballin’ 🎥 pic.twitter.com/m2fEYcKNSk
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 10, 2023
With the Summer League slowly coming to an end, young players are looking to make a strong impression on coaches. Both teams are looking to finish the summer on a high note and prove their worth to the franchise.
