Max Strus brings the childhood dream with the opening bowl to live the Land Charity event in Cleveland

With every step he took through the humming venue, strus embodied the message on the hat he was wearing – the family over everything.

These words are a attitude to life for strus, an unshakable belief that had shaped him, led him and is now driving him forward.

His own family traveled from near and far that night to stand next to him. His brother Marty, the high school basketball coach at her Alma Mater – Amos Alonzo Stagg High School – had a game the next evening, but still got into a flight that was not ready to miss the moment. After a long night, his brother -in -law Michael Sommer made the five and a half hours of driving with Depaul’s basketball team to turn around and go at dawn.

And then there was his other family.

The Cavs showed themselves in the middle of a strenuous route of three games in four days in four days. Players, coaches and employees of Front-Office were all present and prove that the ties in this team extended beyond the hardwood.

“The NBA is an interesting place,” said Strus with a knowing smile. “If you could find a team where everyone comes together and everyone treats it like a family. To be honest, it is difficult to find. So we know how special it is, and we do not take it for granted. This group is very unique in this way, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of it. “

This was just the beginning.

In a night full of joy, old memories have intertwined with new beginnings. The echoes of the childhood dreams met the reality of a man who was determined to leave his traces in the hearts of those who call this city at home.

Because for strus the family is not a word that it uses easily.

“The final goal is to positively influence the Greater Cleveland region,” said Strus. “It’s not really about the money, but it is because you want to collect as much money as possible to help most people you can.

“With everything we do at this event, it is not just for a charity. We want to touch the lives of everyone and do many different things in the community so that we always spread joy, spread happiness and have our fingerprints in this city. “