The Four NBA Shooters Max Strus Has Studied Most

Cleveland Cavaliers newcomer Max Strus watched a lot of film on NBA shooters before his career and still does now to add to his game.

On Wednesday night, Max Strus delivered a memorable, franchise-record-setting performance in the Cleveland Cavaliers' season-opening win over the Brooklyn Nets. He knocked down seven threes and poured in 27 points.

It was a heck of an introduction for the Cavs newcomer, but they kind of already knew what he was capable of.

After Monday’s practice, Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell spoke highly of Strus and what his constant movement can do for this reimagined offense. He went as far to say that Strus reminded him of when he played with Kyle Korver in Utah.

Strus happened to agree with Mitchell on his similarities to Korver, even taking it a step further by saying he has a little more to his off-the-dribble game and attacking closeouts.

Asked if Korver was one of the players he watched film on before getting into the NBA, Strus nodded and named three more guys.

“Him, JJ Redick, Klay Thompson, [Marco] Belinelli,” Strus said. “All types of guys like that.”

Max Strus at practices with the Cavaliers at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence / Cavs.com

Judging by track record and the respect each of those four has commanded over the course of their careers, that could make Strus a dangerous man within the Cavs’ half-court sets. He’s already proven himself to be a headache on catch-shoots. He’s even more of a nuisance when he makes defenders chase him all around the court.

Now, it’s just learning about each other’s spots and tendencies for Cleveland to unlock what could be a reliable weapon on a nightly basis.

“You can be more dynamic. Don’t have to be as stagnant,” Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after a preseason game vs. Orlando. “Even in that, there are lessons to be learned there. When those guys are moving and creating gravity, the guy with the ball in his hand has to get comfortable enough to know what they’re going to do and where they’re going to go and be as outlets. 

"It’s a good problem to have. So much benefit to it. But it’s part of the process of us learning one another and learning how we play together.”