Former Miami Heat's Max Strus opens up about a nightmare scoreless performance against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
MIAMI, Fla. – In a recent episode of Link with JB, a podcast hosted by professional basketball player Jared Brownridge, former Miami Heat three-point specialist Max Strus recapped playing in the 2023 NBA Finals as an eighth seed, but the opening game didn’t quite go to plan.
Leading up to the series against the Denver Nuggets, he averaged 10.3 points on 35.9 percent shooting from behind the arc and 3.3 rebounds. In the first game of the Finals, Strus was scoreless and missed all 10 field goal attempts. The Heat lost 104-93 and eventually fell in the series after five games.
“My game one was awful,” Strus said. “The amount of pressure that goes into the Finals – everybody in the world is watching this game, talking about it, and you can’t escape it. It did get the best of me.”
The Finals was the last time the sharpshooter wore a Heat uniform. Entering free agency, he would sign a four-year, $62.3 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Strus was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers this summer as part of a five-team deal.
Although the 30-year-old has become a journeyman in the league, it doesn’t make him any less valuable. Strus is one of a handful of undrafted success stories to come out of the Heat’s pipeline. After signing a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls in 2019, he later sustained a torn ACL and was waived.
Despite recovering from a severe injury, the Heat took a chance on the Hickory Hills, Illinois, native. After receiving a training camp invitation in 2020, Strus was signed to a two-way contract. He kept the work going behind the scenes, earning the trust of Erik Spoelstra and the coaching staff, eventually emerging as a rotational player.
Strus was a starter on the Heat’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, then stayed in that role the following year on the biggest stage of basketball. Despite leaving empty-handed, the deep playoff pushes helped him carve out an extended NBA career. Strus is the kind of player contenders gravitate towards. Someone who can space the floor and is willing to do the little hustle plays that matter.
The Heat play a critical role in Strus’ NBA journey and success story.
Pending an extension, the seven-year veteran is set to re-enter free agency next summer. The Heat could make a push at a reunion, but it’s too early to tell, as the organization is focused on contending for a championship this upcoming season.
Strus will likely have a plethora of interested suitors and will evaluate the market when the time comes.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
