Max Strus had a powerful opening game with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
The newcomer scored 27 points and 12 rebounds and put a definitive stamp on the team in his 38 minutes on the court.
Strus was lights-out from all over the court, including the three-point line.
He sank 7 of his 13 three-point attempts.
Following the game, Donovan Mitchell compared Strus to another mighty three-point shooter.
According to Cavaliers Nation, Mitchell sees shades of Kyle Korver in Strus.
“His movement is kind of Kyle Korver-esque. He doesn’t stop moving and Kyle was the same way. He draws so much attention,” Mitchell said.
Donovan Mitchell compares Max Strus to Kyle Korver
“His movement is kind of Kyle Korver-esque. He doesn’t stop moving and Kyle was the same way. He draws so much attention." pic.twitter.com/YxFb6h1FYo
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) October 26, 2023
Korver is one of the best point-makers the league has ever seen, so Strus is surely flattered by the comparison.
During his 17 years in the NBA, Korver averaged 9.7 points and 3 rebounds per game, shooting an average of 42.9% from beyond the three-point line.
On Wednesday night, Strus was good for 53.8% from that part of the court.
Will he be able to keep it up in the months ahead, or will he come back down to Earth and be a bit less productive on the court?
Regardless, Strus just made quite an impression on the fans and fellow players.
Did he also make an impression on head coach J.B. Bickerstaff?
Strus earned his spot with the starters in the first game, but is that where he will remain?
The Cavaliers have been desperate for a player like Strus: someone who can take some pressure off of Mitchell and Darius Garland and make plays of his own.
He fit in perfectly with the team for their first game, but now Strus has to keep it up.
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