Cleveland Cavaliers star Max Strus has revealed his NBA inspiration.
Michael Jordan was the inspiration for countless kids around the globe, and you might expect that for a current NBA player born in Chicago – he would be too.
Max Strus, 29, cites a different former NBA MVP as his inspiration.
Strus is currently starring for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who he joined in 2023 from the Miami Heat, after beginning his career with the Chicago Bulls.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesMax Strus cites Derrick Rose as his inspiration
Max Strus made an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on August 14, and was quizzed about his idol.
It was put to him that playing for the Cavaliers, and being born in Chicago, his idol must surely be either LeBron James or Michael Jordan.
Strus had a different response, citing 2011 MVP Derrick Rose as the player he grew up admiring.
He explained: “I was a Derrick Rose guy. I was more in the era of Derrick Rose getting drafted. That’s kind of when I was in high school, around the time he was a rookie.
“So the MVP season, all those playoff runs that he had, with Jimmy Butler and guys like that.
“Getting to play with Jimmy in Miami was crazy, just because I grew up watching them and and being on those Chicago teams.
“Obviously, I’m a Jordan guy, but I’m too young to really remember those days. So, yeah I was more of a Derrick Rose guy. He was kind of the guy that I looked up to, the Chicago legend, the Chicago native that we all know and love.”
Strus said he has had a chance to meet Derrick Rose, adding: “I’ve gotten to know Derrick and he’s a great person.”
Max Strus has found his role with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Max Strus has made it in the NBA the hard way, coming into the league undrafted and signing a two-way deal with hometown team the Chicago Bulls.
One season later he signed another two-way deal with the Miami Heat, where his career began to take off, playing alongside Jimmy Butler.
After appearing in the 2023 NBA Finals, Strus was snapped up by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade, and is currently halfway into his four-year $63m contract.
Last season Strus played 50 regular season games as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
But their playoff run ended badly, defeated by the Indiana Pacers, and Strus had the embarrassment of scoring 0 points in their Game 5 exit.