NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

May 31, 2023

Max Strus

Miami Heat

Media Day

Q. A lot of people make a lot about the altitude. How will the altitude affect you guys?

MAX STRUS: I'm not worried about it at all. We're ready to play. It don't matter where it's at, where we're playing. We're ready for everything. It's not going to be a problem at all.

Q. A lot of people are going to talk about coming into the series, Jokic and Murray, but what kind of challenges does Michael Porter Jr. bring, a 6-10 guy who can shot over anybody?

MAX STRUS: Mike is talented, man. We've got the same agent, so I've known him for a while. He can shoot the ball really well and get it off very quick, so he's definitely going to be a problem that we've got to make sure we keep an eye on and not let him get too hot, because we know if he makes a couple, he can get it going. So definitely keep an eye on him, as well as the other guys.

Q. Kyle was just asked about Jimmy Butler and how he can get under people's skin, but in a good way for you guys. Do you have a specific story of where he's kind of done that and you've been taken aback and you're like, whoa, this was actually like a positive moment between you two?

MAX STRUS: Oh, that's probably something every day that I could say. Me and Jimmy got a unique relationship. It's like Kyle just said, like 2011, I was still in high school, and watching him play on the Bulls, and me being from Chicago just growing up watching him, it's kind of crazy that I'm on his team trying to help him win a championship here.

I'm just here to help him whatever he needs and whatever he asks me to do or for the team to do, I'm willing to do it because he's one of the most highest basketball IQs I've ever been a part of and been around.

Q. Aaron Gordon was here earlier and he said that the thing he thinks allows Jimmy to get under the skin of opponents is that he's so poised, that he just stays calm through the course of a game even though he's not saying a lot, that that can irritate opponents. Have you seen that happening?

MAX STRUS: Yeah, Jimmy just wants to win at any cost. He's not worried about any of the extracurricular stuff. He just wants to play basketball at the highest level and play the right way, and that's how we're all built. He just goes about it with that confidence, and he doesn't need to talk. He lets his playing do the talking, and we're all just here following in his footsteps, and he just gives our team the utmost confidence in each other.

Q. Max, Kenny Smith has this great saying, he says, coaches can't give you confidence but they can take your confidence away. I wonder with Spo with you guys, it just seems like no matter who's on the floor, everybody is supremely confident. I wonder if that comes from the physical challenge that you have to do to play for the Miami Heat, the mental challenge of having to be versatile to play for the Miami Heat, or if he articulates that in any way that makes players feel very confident when they're on the floor?

MAX STRUS: I think he gives the belief in you by putting you out there. We all come from two-ways or undrafted guys. So, the ability to get the opportunity to play shows that he believes in you the most, in the fullest. It trickles down from our star players guys like Bam, Jimmy, Kyle. They believe in everybody in our lineup, that we can go out there and help win games and win at a high level.

To have the trust from them and the coaching staff, [it] just trickles down and has us be the most belief in ourselves, and it's a special thing. It's a really special thing to be a part of, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.