Max Strus wants to follow in the footsteps of Joe Harris

The early career of Max Strus was not a long calm river. Passed by the second university division for two years before joining the university of DePaul, the back shooter did not even think of the NBA, believing that his future would be played rather abroad. Until his coach at the time, Dave Leitao Jr, managed to convince him otherwise.

“No, I never thought I would be in the NBA one day,” he launched. “It never crossed my mind. You can even ask my college coach when I first visited there. I sat down with him, and when they asked me what I wanted to do with my basketball career, I said, “I can see myself playing overseas and trying to make a living playing basketball. “. Starting from the second college division and where I was at the time, I thought it would be in Europe or abroad. But then, during my first two days on campus at DePaul, after the first two practices, Coach Leitao called me into his office. He said to me, “You have to change your goals. You can play in the NBA. You have what it takes. “That’s what changed my mindset and what made me want to get to where I am today.”

Miami, a franchise in its image

Undrafted in 2019, he was then tested by Celtics and then hired via a “two-way contract” by Chicago, where he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Suffice to say that his early career was chaotic, until this phone call from the Heat which was the other major turning point in his career as a basketball player.

Beyond his qualities as a shooter, the Florida franchise allowed him to show his hardworking side for a year with a “two-way contract” finally converted into a two-year contract in August 2021, with a second year which will not be guaranteed. only from June 29th.

“I think they do a good job of scouting, not just in terms of talent, but the personality of the guys, their way of being”he added. “Once here, it was quite easy for me to immerse myself in this culture of hard work and reap the rewards of my labor. This is the summary of my career. That’s exactly what I did to get here. It was a perfect fit. The way they do things here really fits who I am and how I’ve grown as a player.”

Like him, Joe Harris had a difficult start

If he is also inspired by the career of his coach, Erik Spoelstra who rose through the ranks after starting out as a video coordinator, Max Strus wants to take the evolution of Joe Harris as a model in order to try to find a place for himself. in the league for the long haul. Like him, the Nets shooter, currently injured, had a difficult start before finding his “niche”, to the point of becoming one of the most reliable snipers in the league.

” 100%. It was from him that I drew inspiration for everything. It’s all the easier if you’re part of the same agency (Priority Sports). They’ve been telling me about Joe Harris since day one. He struggled the first two years, got fired from Cleveland, went to the G League, then got his chance in Brooklyn and took it. His stats kept going up after that. It’s definitely something I’ve studied. I had the opportunity to speak to Joe several times. He was a great help to me”.

This season, Max Strus took his chance in a good squad, in which he acquired the rather solid rotation role, averaging more than 23 minutes in 67 games. Miami even won 14 of the 16 games he started in the major five. A great achievement for this 26-year-old player who now requires confirmation.

“It’s pretty crazy to see how quickly things have evolved. I start some games on the best team in the East. It’s a crazy journey. I don’t know where my career will take me. Obviously, with the way I play, I hope I can do this for a very long time. It’s my aim. Stay in the NBA and play as long as possible”he concluded.