Miami Heat: Max Strus’s Shot Epitomizes Why A Leap Is Coming

The Miami Heat excel at finding the talent that no one else does. It’s a proven fact.

With that, one of their latest gems finds himself on the radars of many. Max Strus, a guy predicted here to possibly take a Duncan Robinson-like leap in his game over the next year or so, has thrust himself into the basketball world headlines recently.

In case you missed it, here it is. Strus hit a big last second shot to win the Miami Heat a summer league contest.

Almost immaculate throughout the rest of the game as well, that was just icing on the cake. Though just garnish, it was also indicative of a point made earlier though.

When it comes to the potential leap that Strus might be headed for, that last shot epitomizes it and why it could happen. Here’s how.

Miami Heat: Max Strus’s Shot Happens Because Of Heat And His High-Level Skill

The guy has been with the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls on short stints, but neither found a role for hims to stick. That’s often the case with guys that the Miami Heat turn into primetime contributors, say… like Derrick Jones Jr. and the Phoenix Suns.

Culture Finds

It all boils down to this… the Miami Heat. The fact that he is even there with the Miami Heat to play in the summer league and to have that shot opportunity, is because of the Heat’s vision and belief in him.

He also had the freedom to execute because the Heat believe in his talent. That leads into the next part though.

Near Duncan-Level Shooter

If you see some of the looks that Strus converted in that game, you can see that the talent is there. That also means that it’s pretty high level.

The statement about Strus here has been that he is pretty close to Duncan’s level when it comes to the ability to knock down the long ball. That should be apparent now.

Not only can he knock them down with regularity though, he can hit the tough ones. That includes the game winner from the other evening.

Miami Heat: Max Strus’s Shot Happens Due To His Versatile & Athletic Shooting

The tough shots are the ones that win titles. It takes making a ton of any kind to get to the title shots, but the big shots are the tough ones.

Can Do More Than Duncan

Max Strus might have what it takes to take and make those shots, especially if this last one was any indication. While Duncan Robinson can hit tough shots, he probably can’t do what Strus did, off of the dribble and move to free himself.

That fact, the one where he can hit that shot off-dribble and the many other platforms he hit shots off of in that game, alone, illustrates how he can do a bit more than a very great shooter in Duncan Robinson. Again, Duncan is great and at the tip-top level of what he does, but Max can be more versatile with how he uses his top level ability.

Athleticism

Not only did he hit tough long shots in the game, but he used his athleticism to get by defenders to make things happen in the middle or near the rim. That’s what allowed him to be able to hit the many shots he did and the last big one.

He had as much space as he did to take the last shot because the defense knows he can go by them to finish at the cup or in the middle area. It’s a respect and illustration of his sneaky athleticism.

That could include his first step, leaping ability or anything, but he’s just a better all around athlete than most think or know. That’s not only what should take him to new heights in the coming season or so, but that’s also how his last second shot from a few days back epitomizes it all.