Stephen A. Smith obliterates struggling Heat sharpshooter in fiery rant

“Max Strus has no business recording just as many points as me,” Smith proclaimed. “There's no excuse for that. I don't give a damn about the talent gap, I'm gonna crystallize it for you…he has no business as a starting shooting guard, that means your job is to shoot. You have no excuse to be recording as many points as me.”

Aside from a 14-point showing in Miami's Game 2 victory, Strus has amassed just three points during the series, including multiple zero-point outings. Furthermore, his 1.61% field-goal percentage is the worst among any player in the series that has played more than 2 minutes. Not ideal for a starting shooting guard who has logged 93 minutes through four games. 

It's been a steep downward spiral into mediocrity for Strus, who had served as a key cog for Miami's postseason run up to this point. After averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game during the regular season, the former DePaul Blue Demon shot 41.8% from the field during the Eastern Conference Finals including 34.2% from three. In fact, heading into the team's series with Denver, Strus had scored 10-plus points in nine of his last 12 games. 

Facing an elimination game on Monday night, Strus and the Heat will need to bring their A-game if they hope to extend the series.