Max Strus reveals why being a shooter is not enough to maintain a role in the NBA

Standing out in the NBA as a role player can be quite challenging. They have to shine within their role and prove that they can actually contribute when their name is called by the head coach. A lot goes into the work behind the scenes because that is how they get noticed by the coaching staff.

As a career role player, Max Strus has been reliable throughout his career. He has gone from being a seldom-used player at the end of the bench to becoming a regular starter with the Cleveland Cavaliers . Now, he is playing for the Los Angeles Clippers , where he will once again be a reliable player.

Max Strus speaks on what it's like to stand out as a role player in the NBA

Standing out as a role player can be tough because there are plenty of names around the NBA who want to do the same thing. For a long time, Strus was toiling away on the bench, but when he joined the Miami Heat , he proved that he belonged on an NBA roster.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra saw that Strus fits into his system well because of his three-point shooting. Throughout his career, Strus is a 37% three-point shooter, which is above the average of 35%. By shooting at that clip, Strus carved out a role for himself, but that was not the only thing he did.

Throughout his career, Strus has also made a name for himself for being one of the hardest-working players. Every time he is on the court, he is defending at a high level, and he is working hard to chase the ball every time there is a loose ball. That kind of hard work and dedication to the team resonates with a lot of coaches and front office members.

"I don't have a bag. I used to have a bag back in college, but I don't anymore because you find what your niche is and you just go at it. I knew shooting the basketball was going to get me on the floor, and then I knew playing defense was going to keep me on the floor. I'll guard the best player. I don't care," Strus said about his role on the Link with JB podcast .

"You've got to have the humbleness to humble yourself to, 'I'm not that guy anymore. I can't be that guy anymore.' But then be ready for the opportunity when it does come, 'No, I could still be that guy. That's just not what we need right now. But when we do, I got you.'"

Humility goes a long way in the NBA because not everyone can be a star player. This is a reality check for a lot of NBA players, and when they realize that they can't be the star all the time, they have to shine in other ways, which is what Strus and many other standout role players have done over the years.