This should just be turned into a Mad Max appreciation thread. The thing about Max is he could go 1 for 20 during the game and you would <i>still</i> feel confident that he was going to make the shot down the stretch. some excerpts from NBA.com http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/This_Date_In_Compaq_Center_His-57797-34.html Vernon Maxwell celebrates after nailing another of his notorious buzzer-beaters. Vernon Maxwell had a unique knack for hitting game-winning shots. <b>Dec. 9, 1993</b> With the Rockets trailing the Miami Heat 101-98 with 3.3 seconds remaining in regulation, Vernon Maxwell takes the inbounds pass, turns and hits a 30-foot heave at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, where the Rockets eventually pull out a 115-109 win to run their record to 18-1. “There was no skill involved at all,?Maxwell says. “It was pure luck. But like Kenny (Smith) said afterward, if anybody can make that kind of shot, it’s me. Luck counts.? <b>Jan. 26, 1991</b> Rockets sharpshooter Vernon Maxwell comes out blazing and burns the Cleveland Cavaliers for a career-best 51 points, including a franchise-record 30 points in the fourth quarter. The Rockets slip by the Cavs, 103-97, as Mad Max joins Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Calvin Murphy, and Elvin Hayes as the only Rockets to reach the 50-point mark. “I’ve been around a long time, but that was one of the most impressive one-man shows I’ve ever seen,says Rockets coach Don Chaney <b>Jan. 13, 1995</b> Mad Max does it again. Vernon Maxwell, who has made a history of nailing improbable, game-winning, buzzer-beating shots, swishes a 28-foot three-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to give the Rockets a 103-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs. With the game tied and 3.4 seconds on the clock, Maxwell catches the inbounds pass near midcourt, takes a couple of dribbles and launches the game-winner, sending an exuberant Compaq Center crowd into a celebratory frenzy. <b>Dec. 29, 1994</b> Trailing the Golden State Warriors 124-123 with three seconds remaining, the Rockets need a miracle. Their prayers are answered by Vernon Maxwell. The Rockets guard is the beneficiary of a botched play when he finds his hands on the ball with the seconds winding down. Falling out of bounds, Maxwell turns and throws in an improbable three-pointer at the buzzer, leading to a wild Compaq Center celebration. “It lucked up being in my hands,Maxwell says. “I thought it (the shot) would be short, but it went in.? ...ah, good times.
I remember that game. I had a feeling something like that was going to happen, so I stuck a tape in the stereo (I had to listen to the game on the radio) because I wanted to hear Gene Peterson go bezerk. Sure enough, he went NUTS. It was awesome. I still have the tape somewhere. My top picks: Horry, Elie, Maxwell, Cassell, Smith
Every night at Compaq you can see him arrive. He stood 6 foot 10, weighed 235. Kinda narrow at the shoulder and narrow at the hip and narrow everywhere come to think of it. That's Bull. Air Bulllll Air Buuullll. Can't stop Bull. Oh, and Cat is definitely clutch. You don't know what you are talking about SLA.
I remember. The night Mad Max hit that 3 to send the Miami game to overtime was the night I knew we were going to win a championship.
