Miami Heat: 4 Reasons Max Strus Could Have Duncan Robinson-Like Ascension

The Miami Heat are known for being able to find guys. They can take a guy thrown on the trash pile and proceed to rejuvenate or recreate the player, making them a pro-level guy.

While that is the case with more than a few names, there is no more shining of an example than Duncan Robinson. A once undrafted guy that started Division III, he’s now a near-$100 million dollar man in the NBA, all off a pretty wicked jump-shot.

With Duncan Robinson’s ascension though, to one of the best shooters in the league if not the best, there is another guy climbing the Miami Heat’s developmental ladder that deserves a nod. That guy is Max Strus.

Max also appears to be on a very solid trajectory and in fact, one that might mirror Duncan’s. Here are four reasons why he could see a Duncan-like jump across the next several years.

He signed a standard contract this season with Miami, so he has the opportunity. Let’s get into it!

Miami Heat: 4 Reasons Max Strus To Have Duncan-Like Jump- Culture & A Clippy

The first reason is a simple one. He plays for a team that can do it… if it can be done.

Plays For The Miami Heat

As stated, the Miami Heat consistently get this very thing done with guys. They did it with Duncan, they did it with Kendrick Nunn, they did it with Josh Richardson, and they’ll do it again here with Max Strus.

Again, if there is a team out there that is capable of helping a guy transform himself and subsequently, his career, then that team is the Miami Heat. That’s the first reason why he could see a Duncan Robinson-like jump.

Shoots almost as well as him

When you think about Duncan Robinson… and now Max Strus for that matter, one of the first things that should come to mind are their abilities to knock down shots. Be they open or contested, both of these guys can flat-out shoot it once they get going.

While he’s better than the numbers say and while these aren’t quite Duncan-like numbers, Strus did shoot nearly 34 percent on about four attempts per contest last season for Miami. Again, he’s better than those numbers would indicate though.

That’s the second reason for a Duncan-like potential jump for Max. He has a bit of elite-ness to his ability to knock down the long ball too.

Miami Heat: 4 Reasons Max Strus To Have Duncan-Like Jump- Does More & Better Athlete

Duncan’s ability to do the thing that makes him special is the elite of the elite, like… the top one percentage. That’s just one thing though and though it makes him very very special, it’s the only thing he does at a supremely high level.

That isn’t the case for Max. In fact, he does everything else better than Duncan does.

Does Quite A Bit More Than Duncan Does Already

Max Strus can handle it. He is comfortable shooting off the dribble, from anywhere.

He can move better. He has a drive game, an off-bounce game, and quite possibly, all of the offensive game you could ask for.

That’s just it. Duncan Robinson is capable elsewhere, but he’ a shooter. Max Strus has the ability to develop into a really solid all-around guy, as he already does quite a bit more at a high level than Duncan does.

Better All-Around Athlete

Apart of the previous point, but one worthy of individual mention is this fact. Max Strus is twice the athlete that Duncan Robinson is.

From a fluidity, explosiveness, quick twitch, what he can make his body do perspective, Strus leaves Duncan in the dust. Strus has the ability to get up over the top and finish it on the head of the defense… just ask Will Barton.

Barton had to foul Strus here… or be embarrassed. He’s still on the list for that one, by the way.

That’s the point though. Strus has more god-given ability in his body than Duncan has, though Duncan is a few inches taller.

When it comes to all-around ability though, Max has Duncan beat. That’s why… over the next several seasons, Max Strus could be headed for a Duncan Robinson-like ascension and jump.