Max Christie's contract extension this summer has made him a major point of interest in training camp, because people want to see if the Lakers will get the return they want (and many want to validate their view that Christie should have been playing more last year).

A version of the same storyline applies to Gabe Vincent, too. He missed most of last year with an injury, robbing the Lakers of a rotation piece representing their big money signing from that summer. Vincent's absence meant the Lakers spent the season short at guard, too.

So can Vincent, who has received a lot of praise in the early days of camp, step up and play a key role for LA this year? What do they need from him, exactly?

Meanwhile, Thursday's practice in El Segundo featured more players talking in more detail about Redick's management style. Very efficient, very clear. The communication, early reviews say, has been very good. Even in his moments of sparring with the media, Redick has shown a very specific POV around words and communication that give clues as to his style behind the scenes.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Gabe Vincent is back and healthy.

SEGMENT 2: What are reasonable expectations for Vincent? Plus, more talk of Redick's communication skills.

SEGMENT 3: What Redick's (minor and playful) sparring with media indicates about his POV.

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The score wasn't great (the Lakers lost 124-107), but with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in street clothes, to some degree the ability to judge the final score was eliminated before the game started.

Nor is it wise to try and infer too, too much about what life under JJ Redick will look like, since a) the stars weren't playing, and b) they've practiced for less than a week. That put the focus on individual performances, and among the most intriguing players on the floor for LA were the young guys who didn't make an impact last year, either because they weren't in the rotation (Max Christie), weren't ready/available (Jalen Hood-Schifino) or in college (Dalton Knecht).

And while the sample size is small, the early returns were positive. Christie was for large stretches the best Laker on the floor, showing great calm and command of what he was doing on the floor, and contributing across statistical categories. The poise is there, which is why Redick referred to him as an "old soul" after the game. He's someone the Lakers will ask to make a significant contribution this season, well above what he was given the opportunity to do a year ago. At the least, he looks confident in his ability to deliver.

Knecht didn't shoot particularly well (2-7 from 3-point range) but still scored 16 points and showed the ability to score at multiple levels. And while the turnovers were too high (five on the night), Knecht looked like a player who can function within an offense and keep it moving, rather than a ball-stopping shooter/scorer.

Finally, Hood-Schifino, who suffered through a horrible rookie year in which he was clearly overmatched early and then injured for the bulk of the year, looked light years more confident and physically capable. Basically, JHS looked like an NBA basketball player. A rotation level player? Way too early to say. But last year, he didn't look like he should be wearing the uniform. So this was a major improvement. Six assists, no turnovers, much higher confidence.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Among the most interesting aspects of Monday's Media Day was D'Angelo Russell, who proved again why while not the best player on the Lakers, he's in the running for most interesting, from a media standpoint.

He has a long history of candor, even when it doesn't serve him (and sometimes when it doesn't serve his team), and Monday was no exception. Russell started his time with an apology for periodic selfishness - the sorts of things where he didn't always seem to operate with a feel for the team's best interests. Not necessarily on the court, but as a leader and a veteran off it. This year, with new coach JJ Redick expressing his full support and saying he'd like to push Russell to a career season, Russell returned the favor by saying he wants to step up his game and earn his coach's trusts. First and foremost, that means defennse, and for Russell, that's a matter of focus.

But can he sharpen those skills enough after 10 years of bad habits (compounded by natural limitations by NBA standards)? Even if the intentions are good?

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis says he's not into analytics. Redick and his staff clearly are. And an interesting exchange Wednesday at practice is likely going to show again how many people don't understand the relationship between data, coaching and players.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: D'Angelo Russell says he's going to earn JJ Redick's trust.

SEGMENT 2: Can Russell change his habits after a decade in the league?

SEGMENT 3: AD, Redick and data.

Gametime
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FanDuel
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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)