Follow us on Google Discover Los Angeles Clippers forward Max Strus has admitted to not having ‘a bag’ in an interview about his NBA career.
Players are often judged on their ability to entertain fans with their skills, but the reality of professional basketball can be very different.
Strus soon realised after entering the league in 2019 that he would need to specialise in one or two specific areas.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesMax Strus reveals how he’s built a successful NBA career without ‘a bag’
Max Strus is an above-average role player in the NBA, averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.
Strus also shot more than 40 percent from three-point range and played solid perimeter defence against opposition stars.
That is why Strus has carved out a successful NBA career despite not being as skilful as many of the league’s more talented players.
“I don’t have a bag. Honestly, you just find a way. I can’t explain it to you. I don’t have a bag,” Max Strus said on the Link With JB YouTube channel.
“There was one clip that they showed where I crossed somebody up last year in the playoffs, and you could see the bench’s reaction. They’re like, ‘What? Where did that come from? Because you don’t dribble the basketball much.’ Even I was surprised that worked.
“I used to have a bag back in college, but I don’t anymore because you find what your niche is and you just go at it. I knew shooting the basketball was going to get me on the floor, and then I knew playing defense was going to keep me on the floor.”
Strus, who is on a one-year, $16 million contract, was recently traded to the LA Clippers in a five-team deal that involved Peyton Watson joining the Cavaliers.
Strus will now bring his experience and leadership to the Clippers as they begin their rebuild following the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap scandal.
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