Max Strus as a Cavalier

Max Strus as a Cavalier

Time Stamp: March 2, 2024 5:29 PM

With Max Strus just hitting the biggest shot of the season (literally), he has the interest of a lot of NBA fans piqued. Here’s a look at Max Strus as a Cavalier. 

His play 

In his time in Cleveland Strus is putting up better numbers. Averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds 3.8 assists, each stat is improved upon from his time in both Miami and Chicago. He’s also slightly outpacing himself in steals (0.9 compared to 0.4 and 0) and blocks (0.5 compared to 0.2 and 0). This is partially due to Cleveland’s more defense-oriented play style, and partially due to his increased role. He’s averaging the most minutes per game of his career at 32.2 played per game. Both by necessity at times and because of his play, Stus has found himself as one of the more prominent starters of this Cavaliers squad. 

His defense fits right into this team, too. Averaging the second lowest defensive rating of his career (112.6) and the 22nd lowest in the league, he sits at third lowest on the Cavaliers. 

Season highlights 

Starting off his Cavalier career hot, he set a record for the most threes hit by a player in his first game with a new team with seven. He finished that game with 27 points, 12 boards, a steal and a block. 

Another aspect of that game that’s been a Strus specialty is his position. Because Jarrett Allen started the season out, Strus started at power forward that game. He eventually moved to the two guard when both Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell each spent time out, and is now playing his original starting position of small forward. Although Cleveland acquired him for him three point shooting, his versatility has been his most beneficial quality. Whatever position he’s starting in, whether it’s the two, three or four, he can play it effectively. 

Most recently, he hit the second longest game winning buzzer beater in the three point era at 59 feet out. Ironically it’s also his second longest game winning buzzer, as he hit a longer one in college. 

Streaky Strus 

Despite his massive highs in his time as a Cav, he also hasn’t been the most consistent. Of the 58 games he’s played so far, he’s scored 10 points or less in 23 of them. 

He has a tendency to get hot for a few games, then cool off and have a quiet stretch. Although that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player, scoring a single bucket in the NBA is an incredibly difficult task, it isn’t the best for a player with the contract he has. Getting paid $62 million over four years, and with an abundance of young talent in the roster, his the disparity in his play and pay may cause issues in the future. While he’s on the roster with these guys and everyone is locked down for the season, however, Max Strus as a Cavalier seems to be an overall massive benefit. 

Strus and the Cavs play next this Friday night (March 1) at 7:00 PM

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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com

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