The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers were two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season, with the Pacers securing the fourth seed and Cavaliers the top seed in the conference heading into the playoffs.
The Cavs' regular season success proved to be something of a mirage as they found themselves locked in a struggle with the Pacers that Indiana eventually won.
On Wednesday, comments surfaced from Cavs guard/forward Max Strus that were intended to fire up his team before the team's final, series ending loss.
Fans began taking Strus to task for the comments and his performance as they let loose on social media.
Max Strus vs. Tyrese Haliburton.
Max Strus goes up with a shot against Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers on May 9, 2025.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Strus reportedly had a ten-word message for his teammates prior to the Cavaliers' Game 5 loss.
"If you don't believe, then don't show up for work," Strus said prior to shooting 0-for-9 from the field against the Pacers.
"How this type of knowledge get out! SMH," one fan said after reading Strus' comments.
"Bro didn't even believe in himself," another fan wrote.
"This is hilarious OMG," another said with three laughing and crying emojis.
"Damn this (man) made himself look like a clown," another fan said.
"Aged very well," another said with three laughing and crying emojis.
Strus averaged 12.2 points in five games of the series during which he turned in games of 20 and 23 points.
But it was his goose egg in the final game that contributed, in the worst possible way, to the end of what many fans, players and coaches thought would be a dream season that ended far sooner than expected.