I know that this is ancient history but I was always fascinated by the events that led to one of my fav rockets abandoning the ship. How would you feel if Rudy gives your job away to a local legend who can't get a shot off against you in practice. By the time he came home all Clyde had left was that left baseline move where he would bowl over his defender (think Lakers Eddie Jones) or slip trying to turn the corner. I just know that Max wasn't falling for any of that garbage. He brought a fire to our team that can't be duplicated. I only wish that the Franchise would play with as much passion as Max (without going 10 rows up into the stands, of course).
Maxwell in 93-94 averaged 13.6 points per game of 38.9% shooting. Drexler in 94-95 avaeraged 21.4 points per game on 50.6% shooting. I think that Rudy was well justified in starting Drexler.
Max was out of control and hurting the team, Rudy took the high road and gave him an honorable discharge. Later Max...don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out. DaDakota
Yes we all liked Max at first. No one else in the entire league was able to play nose up on MJ as well as Max. Max could hit some clutch shots. But he just was not a very smart person, or a very smart player. The thing I will always remember regarding Max was when we got eliminated by Seattle in the playoffs, and it came down to that last-second shot that Max took.. Otis Thorpe was standing directly under the basket, wide open and alone, when Max went for that desperation baseline jumper that failed to go in. If Max had just dumped the ball to Otis, it would have been a dunk, and the whole history of this franchise from that point would have been different. Now I know that is a lot to expect, and a big burden to place on Max, but in watching replay after replay, there was just no doubt that he should have passed instead of taking the shot himself. Yes he had a lot of fire, and yes, it would be nice to see the Rox get someone again who can play with that kind of agressive intensity. But the guy made his own bed with his attitude, and we really had no choice but to get rid of him.
Mad Max was a sad case. The Rocket's strength and conditioning coach was interviewed just after the championships( I cannot remember exactly when or where the interview was). He was asked "Which Rocket was the best athelitically gifted?". His reply was Mad Max. He said that if Max just kept his head in the game and stayed focus he was as good as anyone in the league. eventhough Max had troubles, the coach still considered him to be the best athelete he had ever worked with. Max's abilities on the court(when his head was in the game) were incredible. I do not know how Max did in practice the last year but Rudy uses practice to determine playing time for all except his star players. If you don't hustle and show drive and desire, he will not play you during games ( see Langhi). I did hear a rumor that Max , Clyde, and Kenny Smith played Calvin Murphy in one on one and apparently Murphy put it on them all. I do not know if its true but Murphy could still get it done well after his retirement. In fact Murphy would light up everyone at the oldtimers game before they stopped it in the mid 90s. But back to topic.... Max , as good as he may have been, could not hold a candle to Clyde. Clyde was so strong mentally and was so focused as a player. When Max was on his game and kept his head in the game, he very well may have giving Clyde a run for his money. But that was not the reason Max was let go. He quit on the team and himself. Rudy did what he had to and the team took off after that...and rest is history.
He was a loose cannon, he quit on us, but remember : Mad Max used to contain Jordan effectively. And he hit killer last minute shots. He also signed a basketball for my buddy who blew us off at the last minute and decided not to go to some surfer stoner bar that used to be next to Sams Boat. Max, of course, used to love the place. Something about the smoking-tolerant managers. He signed it: "To Pat. You big p-ssy. Max"
This doesn't have much to do with the topic but someone mentioned that Dan Langhi didn't play hard during practice. Is this true? If it is, he really doesn't deserve to be on the team or in the NBA. I can't imagine someone less talented than others just deciding to dog it in practice. Seems pretty stupid to me.
I don't understand how you could say this and claim to have ever watched Steve play. The guy plays with more passion than 99% of the league. Sure Max played with passion too, but Steve seems able to turn it off outside the lines...
I have to agree with Kiki. How many other NBA players that aren't on their summer league squad still travel to California, just to work on their game with their coaches and support their teammates. That's not only passion, but dedication, maturity etc. It helps to combat a lot of those arguments that people try and label on Steve.
the guy lived up to nick name "Mad Max." He freakin threw a like a 20 pound weight at his own team mate. Kenyon Martin is gonna be the next Karl Malone of the nba that guy is a dirty player.....but he awsome, he's my favorite PF in the league.
Don't get me wrong. I love Francis' game. But watching him play sometimes it looks as though the game comes too easy to him. Maybe it's just me but Steve appears to have the ability to dominate at will. Sure, he averaged 20 and change last year but how many of those games did he score 32 only to follow that with games of 9 and 13? I'm sure one of you statisticians out there will do the homework.
The way I remember the story line, it was that Max pouted so much when Clyde came over and became such a disruptive influence, that the Rockets had to let him go. As such, you would not think that Max was playing hard and shuting down Clyde in practice, when in fact he was pouting. My bet is that he dogged it in practice.
My bet is that he dogged it in practice. That's unfortunate. AAAHHHH what could've been? Sam and Bob for UpChuck? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
I might have some regrets if the Rockets didn't win the championship with the greatest playoff run in NBA history. Amen?
maxwell was one of my favorites ever. he could put the clamps on anyone and he was a freak athletically. unfortuantely he couldn't handle the clyde situation like a man. that's too bad but his loss, rocks got the ring without him. as for steve, the game appears to come easily to all the best players, but that shouldn't be a knock on desire. if you watch him play, you know his heart is the last of the rocks concern. you can't average 7+ rebounds at his height just loafing around the court.
Mad Max scored 33 points in one half against the Suns in a crucial game that eventually led to the series victory and then the championship. I'll always thank him for that.
It was MY unconfirmed claim. I just felt that Rudy never played Langhi, even when injuries were out of control. Langhi finally saw some action late last season but he had to, we did not have enough bodies at the time. Langhi lit it up in the summer leagues every year but never played very uch during the season. As I stated before, Rudy likes to see you hustle and perform in practice before you see gametime. Langhi just never got into the game. IMO, Langhi never rose up and performed in practice hence his lack of playing time. I am just guessing though......
