http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2004-01-22/hairballs.html/1/index.html Adding to the Super Bowl hype, the Houston Chronicle has been printing cards commemorating local "sports legends" to be honored in special ceremonies. Hair Balls is happy to present more of our own sports legends overlooked by the Chron: Vernon Maxwell, guard, Rockets, 1990-1995. "Mad Max" holds the Rockets' team records for most three-pointers made, most times spitting at someone during a game and most rows climbed over (11) in order to punch a fan. *Career highlights: When a 1994 home playoff game didn't sell out, told reporters, "Our fans are the worst…To hell with them." Demonstrated impressive versatility that year by targeting a referee with both chewing gum and a cup of ice after an ejection. Arrested for brawls in two Richmond Strip bars and one in San Antonio. When a prosecutor told him he couldn't use a cell phone during a court hearing, he called her a "b****" and flipped her the finger. Served time for a pot possession conviction and was fined $1,500 for carrying a concealed weapon in a Luby's Cafeteria parking lot. *Honors: Was one of 12 finalists for Rockets' Mr. Congeniality after getting in fights with two different teammates. Nominated for Ethicist of the Year in 1994 when, upon being ordered to apologize to Houston's children for the Luby's incident (and what the hell is up with that, anyway?), said, "I want all the kids to know they shouldn't carry guns." *Moment to remember: Upon his arrest for the concealed weapon, said authorities were harassing him because "I'm a black man making a lot of money in Texas" (and eating at Luby's) and "I'll bet 80 percent of the people in Houston ride around with pistols in their car."
build a shrine and worship him. remember this? (May 13, 1994) Down by 12 points at halftime in Game 3 of the 1994 Western Conference Semifinals, Vernon Maxwell turned the Rockets into road warriors. After losing the first two games of the series to the Suns at home, Maxwell made sure Houston wouldn't go down 0-3 in Phoenix by scoring 31 second-half points to lead the Rockets to a 118-102 win. "We are back," Rockets Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Phoenix still has home-court advantage, but the pressure is on them now. And it's a lot different playing when you're under pressure." that year he said "to hell with them (houston fans)" when we didnt sell out a home play off game...ohh geez i distinctly remember winning a championship that year. has anything changed? i'd stand up and applaud any rocket now who says the same thing when we get into the playoffs this year.
Vernon Maxwell was the main reason we persevered in the 1994 playoff run. He wasn't the main reason we won, but he was the main reason we didn't lose. Without his game 3, I'd bet my life savings that we lose that game and the series.
and don't go on to win next year without all that confidence from the first run. mad max, it wasn't just a name.
the 94-95 Rockets were great. Before anyone jumps on the if Jordan was around the Rockets championship years. I watched those Rockets vs Bulls game and they won most or all of them!! Mad Max!! Olajuwon!! Horry!! Cassell!!
