Kenny Atkinson has been impressed with Max Strus coming off the bench: ‘I love it’
Atkinson wants to keep the starting lineup “matchup-based.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers are rolling. They’ve won 12 straight behind a balanced offensive attack. Their incredible depth and ability to shift their playing style on the fly depending on who’s on the court has led to this. Max Strus coming off of the bench since he returned from his ankle injury has allowed those second units to be so potent.
Strus was expected to return to his starting spot once his minutes restriction was lifted. Now, it’s not clear if he’ll permanently regain that role this season. And it doesn’t have anything to do with his play.
“I’m not committed to [Strus continuing to come off the bench], but I love it,” said Kenny Atkinson after Thursday’s win over the Toronto Raptors. “In a sense, he’s just such a great spark of energy. But you know, this spot, I think is going to be matchup-based. It’s going to be who’s in rhythm? Who are we playing? So there’s nothing set in stone with that, but you know, he’s played great in that sixth-man role.”
Strus has been exceptional in the last two games. He went 5-6 from beyond the arc with 17 points and five assists in Cleveland’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Strus followed it up with 12 points the following night on 4-7 shooting from three to help pull what was a lifeless team out of the mud the ensuing evening. These were nice rebound performances from a slow shooting start for Strus.
Atkinson has rotated between Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro for that fifth starter’s spot. They’ve had success with both as they’re 18-1 when Wade starts and 14-2 when Okoro does. The starting lineup hasn’t been an issue, still, there could be some upside to be unlocked with that group.
It’s only been nine games, but the offense has been phenomenal with Strus as they’ve posted a 125.7 offensive rating (98th percentile) with him on the court. Strus’s ability to play off-ball and act as a facilitator when the ball is in his hands is a combination that no other role player can add to the starting lineup.
Strus has shown he can fit perfectly into Atkinson’s system. That shouldn’t change regardless of the role he’s in. The mentality combined with his skillset has allowed that to happen.
“All the cliches that people have been saying about him in this league forever [are true],” Atkinson said. “He plays like the guy that’s still trying to make the league. I feel like he’s a guy that just is on a two-way. That’s how hard he plays. There’s no privilege in his game. It’s all toughness and grit. [He’s a] winning, winning player.”