Since returning to the Miami Heat lineup in early January, Max Strus hasn’t lost a single step after missing four games due to the NBA’s Health and Safety protocols. In fact, he’s seemingly taken two steps forward, even garnering a few starter’s minutes.
Producing at a 64.4 True Shooting clip and 45.6 percent from beyond the arc (last seven games), Strus’ consistent floor spacing has contributed to a recent Heat run, as the Miami Heat have sustained a 15-5 record in their last twenty outings.
An expanded role has become a reality for Strus, but if we recall a time prior to the start of this season, many considered this a lofty expectation. The third-year swingman’s confidence is being showcased at an apex level, which is truly an exciting thought considering his long-term value.
Strus is putting the league on notice, which dates back to last year’s Summer League performance, while he continues to carve out quality rotational minutes on a contending roster.
Miami Heat: Max Strus Should Start Seeking Out Smaller Mismatches
Predominantly, Strus’ offensive production is predicated on his off-ball fluidity. He presents an ability to fly off of screens which compliments a quick and unflappable shooting release.
With defenses fully respecting his outside specialty, it’s often led to scenarios where Max puts the ball on the floor, bursts through high screen-and-roll actions, and attacks defenses off the drive.
It’s no longer in question that Strus can create his imprint on the game in a multitude of ways and his current Miami Heat role as a spot-up threat should remain stationary in that fashion.
Nonetheless, there’s always room for development, even for a player that gets all of his stuff going based on his one special dimension.
The next variation of Strus’ game should be to lean towards using his 6’5” 216-pound frame to gain leverage. To expand further, this includes creating mismatch opportunities against smaller defenders.
MAX STRUS IS CAPABLE ENOUGH TO ADD A CERTAIN PERSPECTIVE TO HIS GAME
It was mentioned earlier that Strus has the quickness to fly past defenders, but to add the deceptive strength of a prototypical guard-forward build is a situation that’s worth exploring.
Finding favorable matchups for Strus to use his physical prowess as an advantage would take his game to an even greater level.
Miami Heat: Max Should Be Punishing Tiny Defenders And Teams That Go There
In this example from NBA.com, P.J. Tucker initiates for Miami, as Strus is being closely defended by Trae Young. Tucker performs a screen-handoff, which forces Onyeka Okongwu to switch with Young.
After Strus receives the handoff, he pivots and then proceeds to size up his defender.
Max then forces a well-contested layup, for which he was in pursuit of a possible foul call. The Hawks come away with the rebound helping along what would amount to a very slow start for the Miami Heat.
In situations like these, you would prefer for the Heat to explore a Trae Young mismatch — as the Atlanta star guard is 6’1” and 180 pounds in soaking wet clothes. Most of all, he’s a below-average defender, which makes this an easy post-up opportunity for Strus.
For Strus to add this kind of perspective into his game, giving him the ability to use it at his disposal, it would really dictate more movement in the offense around him. Most specifically, that would especially be the case when he’s running with the second unit.
The objective wouldn’t always be for him to score on smaller defenders, but to enable the chances to draw potential double-teams, thus creating an opening for cutters and shooters.
As of this season, Strus has accumulated zero post touches and a total of just 10 elbow touches, which ranks among the lowest of all Miami Heat players. While it’s currently not within his current outlook to provide much outside of shooting, because he already greatly excels in that category, Max still has that opening at age 25.
It does appear that coach Eric Spoelstra has fully embraced a mismatch-hunting perspective and he has the personnel to lean in that direction. Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and Bam Adebayo, who returned on Monday against Toronto, have all greatly embraced this approach.
We’ve even seen it with Tucker, who spent most of his career as a corner specialist and is now one of the better operators in the post. This only proves that nothing is beyond limits for players to search for new elements, continue growing, and Strus should be next in line for it.
While he, realistically, won’t have enough chances to experiment with it, especially if all three of the Miami Heat’s stars are healthy for the latter half of this season, adding those skills fo his general future and down the line should allow Strus to continue to make a massive impact, while also extending his career.
It’ll also enlarge the success story within the Heat’s development pipeline, as worthy prospects continue to evolve from the core. You just love to see it (though the rest of the league hates it).