IT WAS AUG. 11, 2020The game appeared to be an average NBA summer league match between the two teams, but it was actually played inside the Cox Pavilion Las Vegas. Miami Heat Memphis Grizzlies It was everything but.
After seven years of changing the rules for summer league games, which go into double overtime, this was sudden death.
Next basket wins
Tied at 94, Heat big man Omar Yurtseven The opening jump was won by the winner, who tipped the ball to Max Strus. After playing 513 NBA games in his first two seasons as a guard, the second-year guard calmly took seven dribbles, from the opposite 3-point line than the Heat's, and launched.
Swish.
Strus was joined by his teammates who had dreams and aspirations similar to his. They stormed off the bench to celebrate, as Strus slapped himself on the chest and let out celebratory yells.
It was a highlight during a four-game stretch when Strus averaged 20.8 point and shot 40% beyond the arc.
Strus now looks back on his past year knowing that Las Vegas was one of his most significant steps in his basketball career.
Strus struggled to find a steady niche during his first full season as a Heat player in the 2020-21 season. He made the decision to return to summer league even though there was a contract lined up for the following season.
Strus states, “Summer league was everything last season.” “It gave me the confidence to do what it took last season.
The Heat wanted it because it was the perfect showcase for their young prospect to be the star of the team.
Strus explains, “I wasn't really playing that much when I was on the two-way.” They were like, “All right, we think that you can take the next step in your career,” and they believed in me.
Strus points out similar rises in summer league from Heat teammate Duncan Robinson Boston Celtics Guard Derrick White. Strus claimed that he knew he was just one of many players whose few productive weeks in the desert helped to lead to a promising NBA career.
Strus states, “I believe, yes, that I would be the man that people can look at, and say, He was in his third-year in the NBA, and he probably shouldn’t have played summer league but he did it.'” It was the best thing that happened to him. “And now, look at where he's at.”
AFTER GOING UNDERDRAWN In 2019, the Celtics signed Strus to their training camp. However, they ultimately cut him in part to keep the 7-foot-6 center. Tacko Fall. After being signed by his hometown, he was released later in the year. Chicago BullsStrus injured his ACL during the G League Showcase, and was unable to play for the Bulls. Strus was cut by the Bulls and rehabilitated his knee. He signed a contract for the Heat in 2020.
Strus states, “I have many chips on my shoulders.” “If one doesn't work for me today, I have many to fall back upon. It's becoming D-II and it's getting painful. All these things keep pushing me.”
Strus' promotion from G Leaguer into a NBA starter cements the player development reputation Pat Riley has built over the two-plus decades of his tenure as Heat manager.
Strus said, “I knew right away that this was what was meant for me from the first week that I was here.” It starts with practicing and putting in extra time, which is what they value here.
Robinson was actually knocked out by Strus's play during the season. The most impressive thing about Strus that Erik Spoelstra, Heat coach, has noticed is his mental toughness.
Spoelstra explained that “having the grit, perseverance and mental stamina to do that consistently over a long NBA Season is essential.” “Everybody is capable of doing it for one week, but three months into the season we all find out what our makeup looks like. Sometimes that can cause men to go a bit crazy, but it didn't happen.
Exhibit A is Max Strus, a summer-league reclamation.
STRUS' RISE TO The NBA is one of the most unlikely sports leagues in recent history. After graduating from Stagg high school in Hickory Hills Illinois, he was a Division II Lewis University player for two years until transferring to DePaul. Dave Leitao, the then-Blue Demons coach, had an idea in his head.
Strus says, “When I came to DePaul I thought that I was going to play abroad or in Europe.” “But coach Leitao pulled us in his office and told me, ‘No, You can play in NBA', that was all that was on my mind. That was my goal.
This dream has been nurtured in the Strus family for as long as Strus can remember. Strus acknowledges that he is not the greatest athlete in his family. Debra Strus' mom is the winner of this title. She was a DePaul Hall of Fame volleyball player, and she also plays basketball. John, his dad, pitched one year at Eastern Illinois. Maggie, Maggie's sister, played volleyball for the University of Illinois Chicago. Marty, his older brother, played basketball at Lewis.
Strus states, “We're just an enormous athletic family.” Strus says, “And when it comes to getting together, it's ‘What sport is that?' That's how I was raised.
So it was that he returned to Las Vegas after two inconsistencies and still trying to build a basketball career. He was a Heat player who averaged 10.6 point per game and shot 41% from beyond his baseline for the 2021-22 seasons.
Spoelstra stated that he understood why people outside of Florida don't know who he was during this year's Eastern Conference finals series between the Heat and the Celtics. He was outstanding in the summer league program. He went through many ups and downs, as well as learning experiences, last year.
Spoelstra said that the minutes were not typical for young players. They were filled with context, pressure and expectations. Spoelstra said, “And if it wasn’t being done correctly, vets would jump all over him.” This is the best way to learn in this league. This is 24 months. He has a lot of experience.
HEAT STAR JIMMY BUTLERTo put it mildly, he is not easy to respect. He doesn't mince words.
Strus is praised by the 11-year NBA veteran without hesitation.
Butler recently said of Strus and Heat teammate, “I don’t want to be fined, so the word is not going to be said.” Gabe Vincent. “Cause it doesn't. They don't fear anyone, no matter what task or at any time in the game. It is always good to have them on your side. They are everything the Miami Heat team stands for.
“They work hard, they don't care about themselves, and most importantly, they just want the win.”
Strus has become close friends with the Bulls former player, whom he used as a cheerleader in the Chicago suburbs. Butler has also come to respect him as an equal — even though he was only one win away from the NBA Finals.
“I told him that the first time I met him. Strus says that I was like, “Dude, you grew up watching me.” “I was in high school when your guys were in the playoffs. … It's incredible how the universe has circled back.
Strus is writing his story with Butler and he remembers the obstacles he overcame to get there.
“I'm established now,” Strus says. “I believe I'm an established NBA player. I was the Eastern Conference finals' first player in the playoffs. I believe that I am here to stay. Last year, I don’t think anyone — the first day I walked into summerleague, I don’t think anyone knew my name or knew who I was. I believe people knew who I was by the time I left summerleague.
They also know Strus because he was involved with the infamous Strus mugging. one of the strangest sequences in NBA history during Game 7 Boston was in the East Finals.
Strus hit a 3-pointer from deep inside the corner to cut the Celtics' lead, which was as high as 17 points at the start of the game. It brought the score down to 56-54 with just 11:04 remaining in the third quarter. After several minutes, the Celtics made another run and Strus' 3-pointer was blocked by Secaucus' NBA Replay Center, New Jersey. It was because Strus had stepped out bounds. This game saw the Heat lose 100-96 and ended their season.
Strus knows that, no matter how far Strus goes in his career. The call will always be part his legacy.
“… After playing, my brother said to me, “At the very least, you'll have a new rule named after yourself now,'” Strus adds.
Although Strus will not be playing in the Heat's summer league team this week, he believes that the foundation he established there and the confidence he gained there will help him to have a better season next year. Spoelstra and Heat coaches want Strus not to dwell on his disappointing conference finals performance but the positives.
Strus states, “I could've been a lot worse… and I understand this and they understand that.” “The end of the season talks were very positive and I took the necessary step to make this year.
Sometimes players only need one chance to prove their worth, just like Strus' bold 3-pointer during double overtime in last year's summer league. Strus was able to return to Las Vegas for the shot that he needed.
