The Miami Heat didn’t reign supreme over the league this year. Heck, they weren’t quite able to reign supreme over their own conference, though they came within mere inches of nearly getting the job done on a tough Jimmy Butler three-pointer in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Whether that was to be so or not, they do and will, certainly, continue to reign supreme in one area of the NBA game that nearly no other team or franchise can do quite as they can. No team finds more talent than the Miami Heat.
Whether it be the undrafted guy, the second-rounder that no one gave quite a whole chance to make it, the journeyman looking to put some sort of roots down, or the scrap heap guy that’s been written off—the Miami Heat have consistently shown the ability to get the most out of those kinds of guys.
While Duncan Robinson and his nearly $100 million dollar payday were the highest of examples on last offseason (though you hate to mention that with the season he just had but we have all offseason for that), the guy that, sort of, took his starting job this season is another and one of the most recent examples for this Miami Heat team.
Miami Heat: One Key Improvement For Max Strus Next Season
Predicted to take a huge leap this season over the summer by some (yours truly), Max Strus proceeded to come into this year and be a key part of what the Miami Heat were able to get done. You needed him to become a better all-around player and on both sides of the ball, which he did.
He became more multiple on offense, while he improved his defensive chops as well. You still need him to continue to get better on defense, all around, but especially as an on-ball defender, while you also still want him to be more multiple on offense.
That’s where his one key improvement comes in here. He needs to become a more willing attacker.
With his level of athleticism and finishing ability at the rim, Strus needs to be attacking the hoop more. Not only will that help to improve his overall offensive effectiveness and efficiency, but it specifically helps his and his teammates’ spacing.
Miami Heat: Attacking The Hoop More Would Do Wonders For Max Strus’s Game
Being more multiple means the defense has to think about countering for more, thus giving your teammates more space, freedom, and leeway to get to their own spots. It helps him by keeping the defense planted more firmly on their heels.
Right now, he drives the ball but very sparingly, allowing the defense to actually cheat towards playing him for the three or the pass.
Once he begins to attack the hoop, just a little bit more, then he will not only see the space to get his range shot off increase dramatically, but it should also allow him the space, room, and opportunity to stop in the middle for more midrange opportunities as well.
It’s all right before Max. He has all the game in the world, from the handle, the shooting ability, and the sneaky athleticism.
He just has to continue to put it all together to get the best out of himself on the court. That’s why this is his one key improvement for the offseason.