i wanted to see if his length/athleticism held up against nba guys, and it does. he's got a lot of work ahead of him, but there's a high ceiling there.
For everyone pining away for Cam how about starting to think instead of how this Max is going to look after a year of experience and in the weight room?
He's not there but you can tell he's going to be. The motor and hustle at that length. Going to be a really nice young, CHEAP 3&D wing for us in a year, maybe year 1/2 depending on the roster makeup. And that block he had on Monk's was impressive. Still looking for that clip to post.
i'm catching up on the games, and lewis had some real flashes against sac. a couple nice baseline drive and shovel to the big (one an assist). two up-fake, relocate, drill the three (one erased by questionable travel call). i'm going to start thinking that we took him in the first and jhs in the second.
The more I see Max Lewis play the more excited I get for his future with the Lakers. I'm respectfully serious when I say get over Whitmore. Max will say hold my beer and look at MY repertoire both sides of the ball next year. Same as Reaves, same as Christie did in year 2. And we have him locked for 4 years. Plus Hachimura and Vando locked. IMO. And we'll "likely" see that JHS was a typical sleeper good-real good pick from the scouts and FO in year 2. IMO.
I'll posit that in a year's time, like Reaves, he will be skilled in more areas of the game PERHAPS than Cam God the physical beast.
Some quotes from Lorenzo Romar on Lewis I picked up elsewhere. "In his 26 years as a head coach, including 15 seasons at the University of Washington, Romar has accumulated quite the list of college stars and future NBA players. It includes the former first overall pick, Markelle Fultz, and other first rounders and current professionals like Dejounte Murray, Matisse Thybulle and Terrence Ross. Go back even further and you’ll find electrifying NBA players such as Isaiah Thomas, Brandon Roy and Nate Robinson. Now, there’s Maxwell Lewis. “In 26 years as a head coach, I’ve never seen a player improve as much as he has from the first day on campus until now. He’s made the biggest jump of anyone I’ve ever coached,” said Coach Romar. “I always tell people Max’s progression is unheard of. He went from AAU in 2021 to Pepperdine to play the 2021-22 season,” said Mario Lewis. “I don’t even think he’s 65 or 70 percent of the way in his development.”
I know he was second round pick and not anywhere near the lottery, but this is as intrigued I am about a pure prospect since Bynum. The game has changed a bit, eh?
Me too the more I watch him. @Kobe Bryant 8 called this I think. He said "pick him at 17 and don't look back". BUT ..... as people here note often, if even one of DLO, Reaves, or Vincent goes down we are most short on our depth chart at that very same position. So the Lakers went after a big strong point guard they had on their chart and brought in for multiple workouts. Instead of Cam "God" whom the lust for and hand wringing about is over the top seems to me. Once again.... we got a needed new PG who just turned 20 the SCOUTS were high on. PLUS got Lewis. Let's see in one year's time how these all around indicators are looking for both of them. Once Max got acclimated in pre-season check the comparative shooting stats. He ALSO is a highlight reel waiting to happen, and I'm willing to bet has the potential to be a more "complete" player. If not that ... anywhere in the same zip code and we are golden for this year's draft .... especially considering what they also picked up in Castleton.
Wasn’t super enthused about Lewis when we drafted him or his play in summer league, but seeing him play in preseason I’m a little more intrigued.
LOL (at me) (knowing You from here and CL) (with the ever present quota thing going on close to the surface) ..... I'm honestly wondering if you're sincere or just doing You.