‘Maniac competitor’ Max Strus never said die in Cavs’ critical Game 3 win vs. Pistons

Any time the Detroit Pistons were chewing into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ momentum in Game 3 of their NBA playoff series, Max Strus was there to swing it right back. Whether it was a deflection when his opponent was taking it out under the basket, creating havoc for the Cavs in the half-court offensively with his off-ball movement, or intercepting Cade Cunningham’s inbound pass in a tie game in crunch time, the 30-year-old swingman showed a level of heart that deserves all the recognition.

“We usually label one winning play; that was the winning play of the game,” Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the 116-109 victory. “No doubt about it. Got the crowd going, we got our mojo going.

“He’s a maniac competitor. It’s kind of like a playoff cliche in the NBA. You need guys that are a little crazy, in a good way, in the playoffs. We needed some wildness tonight, and he provides that and, of course, the shooting and the spacing. Without that, I don’t think we get this win tonight, without his energy and his spontaneity.”

After the game, in an interview with Serena Winters, Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell told the raucous Rocket Arena crowd to “give it up for Max.” It was a well-earned ovation, as Strus’ determination and grit stymied Detroit’s runs on multiple occasions at different points of the day.

“I’m just so happy for him, just because I know the work he’s put in,” Mitchell said. “I know how taxing that can be mentally. I think I said this in Game 5 or something last year: he’s consistently there. The box score shows 3-of-7, 1-of-4 for seven points, but crucial seven points, crucial [forced] turnovers.

“He got an illegal screen call on [Jalen] Duren. There’s just so many things he does that doesn’t show up on the box score, and that’s what makes him who he is for us. Especially in that third quarter when they went on that run, he changed it and set that tone. And obviously, late game, getting that steal, that’s just who Max is.”

As Mitchell relayed, this was a prime example of statistics not telling the whole story. Strus was credited with one takeaway, which completely undersells the actual job he did to provide Cleveland opportunities on both ends. If you weren’t watching Game 3 from start to finish, there’s no way you’d be able to grasp what he brought to the table on Saturday, or what he does for the Cavs on a nightly basis.

“He has high hands,” James Harden said. “I think it was in the second quarter, he got an offensive foul. Knocked the ball off Cade’s leg. It’s just things like that that don’t show up in the stat sheet that change the possession and change the momentum of our team.”

“He’s a little crazy, but it’s in a good way,” Evan Mobley added. “We need that, and he creates energy for us. The play he had with the steal and that finish, it’s contagious, and it brings us all energy and makes us all play better. He wants to win just as bad as anyone I’ve ever seen. I think we all want to win. and when he comes out like that and brings that energy, we’re all behind him, and we rally with him, and it’s great for the team.”

Rarely one to talk about himself, Strus explained that it’s his job to help win in “any form or fashion.” Whether it’s with his shot, rebounding, playmaking, or guarding, he just tries to feel out where he can best do that. With the ball not finding him in Game 3 as much, there had to be another way to make an impact, and he accomplished that.

“You need it,” Harden added. “You need somebody that’s psycho, kind of crazy, but understanding what their job is and what they’re supposed to be doing, not sporadic at all. He understands it. So, for our team, I think it’s great for him, and Dennis [Schroder] also.”

“It’s those insane competitors, and it’s everything,” Atkinson said. “He’s obviously talking to me a lot, referees. There’s a package that goes with that, but it’s always like the compete level is 10. Not many guys are wired that way, even at this level.”

Having suffered a fractured foot injury before training camp and missed the majority of this season, in addition to a late start last year, Strus has proven that mental fortitude pays off.

“I just think everything I’ve gone through to get to this point, all the adversity I’ve had to face,” Strus said of what makes him the type of player he is. “Being counted out several times. Having a chip on my shoulder. I try not to lose sight of that and just always carry that with me. It’s important to me.

“I love playing this game, and I love playing basketball, and I love winning.”

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