From the time the Lakers welcomed JJ Redick, he became invested in developing one youngster. The promising Max Christie was in his sights. And almost immediately, he put on a great impression in the eyes of his former head coach. Likewise, upon moving to the Dallas Mavericks, although hard, the craving to constantly improve and hone his skillset didn’t change for Christie. That led him to anger Kyrie Irving.
But don’t worry, Irving wasn’t seriously aggrieved by any of his actions. It was more of the internal competitive spirit that Max Christie embraced. Before facing the Pelicans, the former Lakers guard arrived earlier to the arena than Irving, who is generally the first one there. “I was pissed, I was pissed. I was happy to see him, but at the same time, I gave him a side-eye,” KAI said after the game.
But behind the banter, Irving understood Christie’s devotion to his craft. Now it might be a stand-off between them when the veteran guard does return from his ACL tear next season. However, the crazier part of the story is the 22-year-old never intended to do so.
“I ended up waking up from my nap a little early on that game day and I was kind of just sitting around my hotel room. Just said I might as well get to the arena and get there. But I wasn’t even trying to beat him there,” Christie said in his first sit-down interview with the Mavericks.
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrate during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
On a daily basis, the promising guard admits he is indeed the second one to the arena. But although unintentional, it doesn’t mean Christie didn’t enjoy Irving’s reaction. “He was a little shocked to see me there. So it was good to kind of one up him a little bit so as great as he is as a player and as a human being it was cool to kind of see his face when I beat him to the arena,” he said.
Now, he’s unsure about whether that’s the pattern he needs to maintain. But one thing he is certain about is Kyrie Irving isn’t going to let him have the title of being the earliest with ease. He suspects “he’s probably going to there even earlier now and that wasn’t even really part of my routine getting there that early”.
Only confidence from Jason Kidd for Max Christie
Aside from being a workaholic, Max Christie’s integration into the Dallas Mavericks seemed to be a natural fit. In his first game, he hit all of his four triples. Subsequently, the Mavericks won the game. The 22-year-old scored 15+ in each of his first seven games, even when injuries hobbled the Mavs.
But as is the case with any sports professional, there comes a time the shots one usually hits in their sleep just don’t go through anymore. Christie is going through such a slump. Over his last seven games, he has shot under 35% from three. For the season, he’s at 37%. As the head coach, Jason Kidd does see those difficulties.
But what he doesn’t doubt is Christie’s ability. Kidd is satisfied with the looks that he is presented with. Moreover, the former Mavericks guard is also in awe of the effort he delivers on a nightly basis.
“Yeah I think he is getting great looks. As a scorer or a shooter they go in or they don’t. Now they’re just not going in for him. Again great looks and we need him to continue to keep taking those looks. And then on the defensive end I think he’s competing at a high level. It’s just those looks that he was getting earlier were going in. Right now they’re just not,” he said after the loss to the Spurs.
Over a two-game stretch against the Spurs, Max Christie is only shooting 6-21 from the field. It’s a concern, but it’s also an adjustment period. With the Mavericks’ focal offensive players all on the sidelines, the responsibilities have increased for Christie. Defenses aren’t sagging off him as much. Moreover, this is probably the first time he is able to shoot such high volumes during a game.
That requires a high level of conditioning and stamina. And although Christie does possess those things, being unprepared for such a high role can lead to some inefficiency. However, with more practice, he does have the potential to become a lethal asset for the Mavs.
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