{"id":74802,"date":"2024-04-24T21:29:08","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T01:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=74802"},"modified":"2024-04-24T21:39:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T01:39:24","slug":"should-lakers-turn-to-young-guard-in-game-3-vs-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/24\/should-lakers-turn-to-young-guard-in-game-3-vs-denver\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Lakers Turn to Young Guard in Game 3 vs. Denver?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Lakers<\/a> hoping for a miracle against the Denver Nuggets, fans were quick to point out the struggles of the supporting cast, especially the guards. Aside from the red-hot performance by <\/span>D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Spencer Dinwiddie<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Gabe Vincent<\/span><\/a> have left a lot to be desired. Both have yet to put the ball in the basket this series, and have each tallied two rebounds and two assists. Austin Reaves<\/a> also struggled, scoring an inefficient nine points (4\/11 FG, 1\/5 3PT) on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n

And to add insult to injury, <\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Christian Wood<\/span><\/a> were just <\/span>ruled out for game 3<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The issues in LA\u2019s rotation have some fans advocating for another option: giving 21-year-old <\/span>Max Christie<\/span><\/a> a shot at the defending champs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should Lakers Turn to Young Guard in Game 3 vs. Denver?<\/h2>\n

Background<\/b><\/h3>\n

Max Christie is one of a handful of Lakers returning from last year\u2019s roster. Despite a lack of action in the regular season, he has used the minutes he\u2019s gotten to display his potential. In 67 games (7 starts), the second-year guard averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists while shooting 42% from the field and 35% from distance. He showed an ability to defend high-level players while scoring at all three levels and making plays when needed. This year, Christie logged seven double-digit outings, including season-high 14-point nights against the Heat and Suns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christie recently appeared on the gaming podcast \u201cJoin the Lobby\u201d, where he <\/span>outlined the playoff preparation and how it differs from the regular season<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour preparation for teams is way different, because you\u2019re playing them at least four times in a row\u2014at max seven times. You also know what they like to get to, you got 82 games of film you can watch\u2026You win by the mental side, the preparation, the game plan. What are you going to take away? You can\u2019t just win with talent all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He also reflected on LA\u2019s past meeting in the Western Conference Finals and his keys to victory:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[In the Western Conference Finals], we lost four in a row but in [the] collection of points we lost by…I think it was 20, 21, or 24 points\u2026Every possession counts, so it\u2019s the little details, and every team\u2019s got to do that. The thing with the playoffs is, you can\u2019t get too high or too low off of game one and game two.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The message has come full circle after the momentum swung Denver\u2019s way. As LA aims to protect home court, it\u2019s clear some changes could be in order.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are Max Christie Minutes a Possibility?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Head coach Darvin Ham<\/a> has drawn criticism from fans all year, but now, some are asking him to insert Christie\u2014who has merely observed the postseason from the bench\u2014into the playoff rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Really wish the Lakers would give Max Christie some run in this series. Feel like his defense, energy and rebounding could give the team a spark.<\/p>\n

— Gary Kester (@garykester) April 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n