Clippers’ Ty Lue on losing Max Strus: ‘We are going to miss that tremendously’

Max Strus doesn’t need the ball to keep a defense occupied. That’s a big part of what the Clippers will be missing while he recovers from a foot injury.

Coach Ty Lue outlined the challenge when asked how Strus’ absence changes the offense.

“A lot of movement, ATO’s, coming off screens, pindowns… another guy that was shot-ready at all times, when he was on the floor, guys had to stay closer to him, more spacing, his movement… we are going to miss that tremendously,” Lue said, via Clippers reporter Ohm Youngmisuk.

Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot⁠ during Sunday’s preseason opener against the Warriors in Hawaii. He will be reevaluated in four weeks.

That’s a checkup date, of course. It doesn’t guarantee he’ll be back on the floor then.

Lue’s comments offer a good explanation of Strus’ value beyond his shooting percentage. Defenders have to follow him around screens and be ready for him to catch and fire. That can create room for somebody else, even on possessions when Strus never touches the ball.

The Clippers can give his minutes to another player. Getting the same movement and defensive attention from those minutes will be the harder assignment.