Miami Heat: Max Strus Is Flying High And Into Opposing Scouting Reports

Max Strus is on the verge of really shaking up the Miami Heat rotation, right?

An intriguing comparison one could make for Strus is Brooklyn Nets starter and catch-and-shoot expert, Joe Harris. While Harris has a slight size-advantage over Strus, both have been, sort of, cast into the roles as undersized forwards who can quickly change the dynamic for any opposing defenses with their long range abilities.

You could dare to say, though, that Strus is a better all-around guy than Harris. Take a peep for yourself.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1388877187470745601

Regardless of the opinion there though, what he’s able to do opens up opportunities for their respective stars to penetrate towards the rim. With Strus’s multipleness, to add to his elite shooting, he could possibly be on track to continue providing that kind of production in a meaningful role moving forward.

As he’s virtually become a fit in any lineup Miami Heat Head Coach, Erik Spoelstra, has placed him in, the added production from Strus has been imperative. It’s can only be perceived as “promising” for the second-year forward to see the floor this much, as he’s only played an average of 12.9 minutes in 35 games for Miami this season.

Strus doesn’t lack for confidence though. That apparently stands for his awareness as well.

Here is what he had to say after Saturday’s victory over Cleveland, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Winderman gives you a taste of Strus’s production, before delivering a quote from the man in question.

"Strus secured his seventh double-figure scoring game by the midpoint of the second period, with 14 points in 14 first-half minutes. “We needed a spark,” he said, “and I was glad I could help provide that.”"

While it’s a bit late to continue experimenting with different lineups, the Heat have the option to insert Strus into a quality role off the bench. Given the impending return of guards, Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro, minutes have opened up for Strus and he’s making a really decent case to possibly crack Spoelstra’s rotation moving forward with even a mostly healthy squad.

He’s shown, in small spurts, throughout the year that he can impact games in a slew of different ways. With that and as for all shooters, especially of his quality once he gets it going, the green light must be given.

He’s flying too high not to. Besides, he’s already on the opposing scouting report by now, make those reports a reality and give them what they want.