Why dont you just replace Maxwell with Sleepy Floyd, or Derick Chevious or Dave Jamerson and see where the Rockets are. We'd have ZERO championships. You know Hakeem played with lots of players, Ralph Sampson, Matt Matloney, Barkley, Pippen, Francis. He won with MAXWELL!! He had off court problems, but he was a was Rockets hero. A tragic hero. There would be no Ron Artest without Vernon!
hmmmm.... let me see now..... CHOICE: start one of the premier 2 gurds (Glyde) or a nutcase that happened to have a few good games from time to time.... hmm..such a hard choice......NOT! get over it...he was replaced by a better player. and btw...who the hell is this Twopock you keep speaking about?
Most hated Rocket 1. Pippen 2. Van Gundy 3. Eddie Most hated Non-Rocket 1. Stockton/Malone 2. Wisebrod 3. The entire Spurs Organization.
DEAR SO CALLED ROCKETS FANS: HATE THIS AND YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF (May 13-15, 1994) Two hours after blowing the biggest lead in NBA playoff history, the Rockets flew out of Choke City down 0-2 to the Phoenix Suns. Four days later, the Rockets flew into Clutch City with the series tied 2-2. In Game 1 of the 1994 Western Conference Semifinals, Houston built an 18-point lead but lost. In Game 2, they had a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter but lost in overtime. "I'll never forget getting on the charter flight after Game 2," Rockets television commentator Bill Worrell said. "It was like a morgue." The Rockets didn't rise from the dead until the second half of Game 3 when they found themselves behind 49-41 at halftime. Then Vernon Maxwell got hot, scoring 31 points in the second half as the Rockets won 118-102. Houston finished "Desert Sweep" by winning Game 4, 107-96, to even the series.
I'd like to point out that the Rockets offense has been unwatchable since approximately the arrival of Kevin Willis. It's not like Van Gundy has made it any worse. He just didn't make it any better. Even in Francis; first season the team was almost unwatchable. Did anyone really expect that VG would make it better in one year. We hoped. But Expectations are too high. Yao needs more time to develop and then offense will flow.
A player hitting a game winning shot or game tying shot during the finals will never make up for him being a quitter IMO. Comparing Hakeem/Toronto and Vernon/Quitting is just silly.
Lets see Hakeem had a reduced role, he wanted out. A quiter in your book. You obviously didnt understand Vernon, he was an emotional guy who tons of pride, you take away his pride and then he has nothing left. Its tragic, but hate him for all these years and hard work? for the 1st championship?? guess what?? his teammates VOTED FOR HIM to get a ring. So TWO RINGS For VERNON. Kenny Smith TO THIS DAY still gives PROPS to VERNON on TNT. Hate him, ye who has not sinned throw the first stone!
He had a rough year with the death of his daughter, the heckler, and now losing his job after coming back from anemia?? can't blame the guy..I and TRUE ROCKETS FANS dont hate the guy.
After that 2nd championship, Clyde stunk up the court, and let John Stockton stick a three on us to send the Jazz to the Finals. Couldnt get along with Barkley. Vernon, too many game winners, too many Clutch momments. Vernon Maxwell A ROCKET FIRST Clyde Drexler hall of fame, PORTLAND TRAILBLAZER
Tinman, Hakeem was a free agent. And he left during the offseason Vernon was not. And he left in the middle of a playoff push. How on earth you can compare those as being equatable are beyond me. Maxwell quit on his team because he couldn't have his way. BTW ..who made you the judge and jury on what a true Rocket fan is?
Dude a real Rockets fan wouldn't hate on a Rocket who played for the Rockets for 6 years was one of the key reasons why they had won a championship. Putting him in the same group as Pippen is saying Jesus is the same as Satan.
YES - Mad Max was absolutely the MVP of that series - and after hitting the clutch 3 in game 7 against the Knicks he all but reserved himself a place in Rockets history as one of the great ones ... then, in 1995, he pi$$ed on EVERYTHING he had accomplished here when he QUIT on the team. Even though the team held a spot on the playoff roster for him (and after Herrerra's arm fell out of the socket we only had 10 players), Mad Max refused to dress or show for any of the games. ...THAT is the behavior of a quitter It was the GREAT MARIO ELLIE that stepped up to the plate !
Codell, We still won a championship that year right?? You're not happy with 2 championships. Leave the guy alone, he's in prison and deserves better.
tinman, Again, you aren't the judge and jury on what a true Rocket fan is. But if you want to believe that you are, more power to you.
MADMAX WAS THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still remember that shot he maded vs. the Maimi Heat. Horry inbound the ball and I believe it hit the backboard and as the ball was bouncing back out going out of bound MADMAX grab it and shot it ... BUZZER BEATEEEEEEEEEEER!!! Maxwell brought the intensity/passion to the team. That 94' team had everything a great leader in Hakeem- Clutch guy in Elie/Cassell - Passion guy in Madmax - Calm PG in Kenny. Maxwell is like T.O of the Eagles/ Ray Lewis guys that plays with FIRE! and dont get a F.
I'd rather give up a title than have to root for someone who quit on his team. Hes in prison because he deserves to be there.
Maxwell is tragic hero. I remember him for the good. Does he deserve to be hated? No. Does Pippen? Yes. We still won a championship. Your girlfriend dumped you, but you still won the lottery. Who cares after that.
I'm with Tinman on this. 3 greatest rockets of all time: Dream Max Mario Man, could we use some of that Madmaxness these days...
I met Hakeem when he was AKEEM I met Calvin Murphy I met David Wood I waved at Otis Thorpe I have credentials to be the judge. Look I studied Rockets Fan Law. See, it was written..
