"He fights me every day and right after he brings his son" - Kenny Smith explains how Vernon Maxwell's demeanor confused Michael Jordan
Vernon Maxwell was a popular name during the 90s, making headlines both on and off the court. He was instrumental in the Houston Rockets winning back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995 and his encounters with Michael Jordan earned him significant limelight.
Advertisement
Maxwell made things pretty difficult for the opposition, especially on the defensive end. His fierce competitiveness and tenacity created an atmosphere of intimidation. An aspect that the Rockets benefited from, especially Kenny Smith, who had the ultimate protective cover.
"I had the guy that everyone was fearful of and playing with me, Mad Max, Vernon Maxwell…I was his new surrogate brother, so anytime that anybody did anything to me, I would be behind him," said Smith about his former Rockets teammate.
Maxwell was a pivotal reason why the Rockets enjoyed regular-season success against the Bulls. This was largely due to his competitive urge to go after Jordan every time they met. Oddly enough, he would often get his son to meet MJ postgame.
"Every game he (Mad Max) tried to fight Michael and Michael, you know, the tough-minded that he is." started Kenny. "Until one day, after every fight, he would bring his son in, and afterwards, to get his (MJ's) autograph."
Advertisement
"So Michael said, 'Something's wrong with this guy, Kenny, he fights me every day, and then right after brings his son in, wearing all Air Jordan apparel. He's bringing him to autograph, like he's not right," narrated Smith, who played five seasons alongside Maxwell.
Mad Max thrived during battles against MJ
Maxwell had the matchups against Jordan marked on his calendar. Unlike many of his peers, he looked forward to facing the Bulls legend. Tasked to mark MJ, the two were involved in several altercations, with their respective teammates having to separate them.
While Maxwell certainly respected Jordan's talent and skill set, he made him work on the offensive end. MJ, who had a reputation for messing with the psyche of his opponents, could not do so in the case of the Rockets guard.
Advertisement
Regarding their regular-season battles, Maxwell while in H-Town had a 5-1 record against the MJ-led Bulls. Interestingly, there has been a lot of conjecture regarding Houston going back-to-back in 1994 and 1995, had Jordan not retired in 1993. Something that never bothered Mad Max, who was confident nothing was stopping Hakeem Olajuwon and Co.
Related: "I was with them" - Damon Stoudamire refutes John Salley's claim the 72-10 Bulls lost to the Raptors because of a hangover
A mutual respect
What fueled the friction between Maxwell and Jordan was exactly what made them so alike — an unshakable competitive fire. Neither man backed down.
Advertisement
While most players approached Jordan with fear, Mad Max leaned into the challenge. He relished the chance to go at the best. And despite their battles, the respect was always there. This was evident when Maxwell gave his take on the GOAT case, asking kids to sit down and watch Jordan play the entire 48 minutes.
"But Michael Jordan was just on another level. Young kids today? They didn't see Michael play," claimed Maxwell about his former arch-rival.
On the flip side, MJ clearly felt that intensity, too. According to Calvin Murphy, Jordan once admitted that Maxwell was the only player who made him take naps — a subtle nod to the mental energy it took just to prepare for him.
Advertisement
They never met on the Finals stage, but the idea of Jordan vs. Mad Max with everything on the line? That would've been one for the ages.
Related: Vernon Maxwell destroyed Kobe Bryant one-on-one after a night out clubbing: "You can't stop me, young boy"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
With a second championship in sight and Bernie Sanders' support, Vermont is the US soccer state of the moment
A silence fell on Virtue Field. Owen O'Malley stepped up, kissed the ball, and prepared to take Vermont Green's fifth penalty in a shootout. The outcome of that spot kick could decide the winner of the USL League Two semi-final against Dothan United in the fourth tier of American soccer. The moment of quiet was in stark contrast to the buzz that has gathered around this team in 2025, but the silence was soon broken as O'Malley coolly rolled his spot-kick down the middle. The back of the net rippled, and the celebrations in the stands spilled on to the field. A sold-out crowd of 2,700 supporters had packed into Virtue Field at the University of Vermont in Burlington for the game. That was the official attendance, anyway. Many more found a perch wherever they could around the ground. Related: The Cosmos return – with a new home, new league and old ideals The club estimates that it could have sold at least 15,000 tickets, and demand is even greater for Saturday's final, which will be played at Virtue Field against Seattle's own gem of a lower league side, Ballard FC. As soon as tickets went on sale on Wednesday morning, the match sold out. The game is being shown on local TV as well as being streamed online, and there are numerous watch parties taking place across the state. Others might still find a way to be there in person. 'There's a grassy hill behind the north goal that's got hundreds, if not thousands, of fans on it now,' says Matthew Wolff, who founded the club alongside Sam Glickman and Patrick Infurna. 'Over the last two matches, we've had fans standing on the base of the scoreboard outside the stadium, fans that have brought ladders around the stadium, sitting on top of sheds and shipping containers, standing on top of porta-potties. Someone was sitting on top of a pull-up bar attached to the back of a garage to watch the penalty shootout in the last match!' During the semi-final, commentator Brian McLaughlin described Burlington as 'the soccer city of the moment.' It's a bold statement, but one that doesn't feel inaccurate, even though Vermont Green is a fourth-tier team that was only founded in 2021. It is an amateur side heavily linked to the college game, not least through its home stadium, but also its playing personnel and fan culture. The University of Vermont Catamounts men's team, who play at the same stadium, won the NCAA national championship against the odds and in thrilling fashion in 2024. The team can count Bernie Sanders among its supporters, and the US senator spoke of Vermont's newfound status as a soccer state. 'I think I speak for the whole state in congratulating the Vermont Green on the extraordinary season that they've had,' he said. 'It is really incredible that for a small state, we have now become one of the leading centers of soccer in the United States.' The ethos of Vermont Green, and other clubs like it at various levels in various leagues – Detroit City (USL Championship), Kingston Stockade (The League For Clubs), and New York International (APSL) are among those regularly mentioned in these conversations – shows that within the closed structure of US soccer, it is less about the division in which you play and more about what you do as a club, not just in a league, but in a community, too. 'We're really happy with USL League Two,' says Infurna. 'We really love our league and the people that run it. Our relationship with them is fantastic, but ultimately, you're only in your league when you're playing soccer, and these clubs exist a lot outside of those 90 minutes. 'We believe in focusing on your community and your club, what and who you are. Nobody in Vermont thinks of Vermont Green as a fourth division club in a small town. Everyone thinks of us as the biggest club in Vermont. In a non-merit-based system, you can't really have a hierarchy of leagues; you've just got to be what you are, and you have to be full-throated about that. It's shedding that hierarchy.' Related: Does US soccer really need four first divisions? The answer isn't necessarily 'no' When encountering a team like Vermont Green, it's difficult to ignore the topic of promotion and relegation. This is one of the most well-run and keenly supported teams in the country; one with an identity that has grown organically with the club, and which is intertwined with the community that supports it. Ever-increasing support has seen the club outgrow its current home to the point where it will consider possible next steps, which might include working with the University to expand Virtue Field or finding a new stadium. It feels like a club that would be primed for promotion. USL has put forward plans for promotion and relegation between its Championship and League One divisions, and a proposed new first division pencilled in for 2027, but as of yet, there are no plans to open up this to its League Two semi-pro/amateur level. So what does progress look like for a soccer club in this situation?. 'For me, the metrics for growth and progress have been seeing how many people in the community are aware of the club,' says Tyler Littwin, who runs the club's Green Mountain Bhoys supporters' group. 'How many people queued up for tickets, how many people are disappointed when they can't get them and are reaching out on social media asking if anybody has a spare. 'I would love for the team to jump up to a higher division and play more games, expand the stadium, or have our own stadium at some point, but these are all really big jumps. So the big thing for me in the supporters group is that every year, we just want this to be a bigger, louder, and more widespread experience.' Vermont Green is also converting non-sports fans into supporters of the club on the back of what it stands for. 'Folks who had no interest in soccer are excited by the team,' adds Littwin. 'They're people who were attracted to the club because of the focus on non-sports issues, and felt like this is something they want to be part of. 'You get to hang out with your friends and neighbors and feel part of something bigger for a couple of hours. I've not encountered such a significant portion of fans in any sport, at any club, who are like, 'I was never into soccer, never into sports, and now I'm a diehard supporter.' It's a pretty impressive conversion.' Judith Altneu, who has reported on the team's end-of-season run for the Burlington Free Press, said, 'covering the Green games has made me feel like I'm part of something bigger for the first time since covering Maryland college basketball games as a student. There's nothing like being part of a sold-out crowd.' Josh Nash, senior vice-president at USL, commented that 'Vermont Green has created something powerful – a club that reflects the spirit and identity of its community … Ballard FC comes in from Seattle with a championship pedigree, a relentless style of play, and one of the strongest followings in the league. It's only fitting that the final features two clubs with the most engaged and enthusiastic fans in League Two.' It also helps that the soccer being played is good. On the field, Vermont Green went unbeaten in the regular season, which is a testament to the players and the work of Chris Taylor, the head coach from Liverpool who has impressed in his first season in the role. 'Taylorball has completely changed the way Vermonters are enjoying the game,' enthuses Wolff. 'He plays such a fun style, and we've had the privilege of having such good players and such depth that he can really execute what he wants to. His ability to use his subs at the right time has changed games.' The end of the season has been littered with dramatic moments, from two goals in added time to maintain an unbeaten record and win the Northeast Division, to Niklas Herceg's saves and O'Malley's winning goal in the penalty shootout against Dothan. It is entertaining soccer featuring moments of real drama. Everyone involved with Vermont Green is now focused on Saturday's final, but looking in from the outside, it's impossible not to wonder what the future holds for the soccer city of the moment, and how it can grow. 'I think it's a remarkable story, whether we win the final or not,' concludes Infurna. 'I hope that the world will put its eyes on this, because it's something really special, and the people of Vermont deserve the spotlight.'
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
What will the 2025-26 Boston Celtics look like at the start of the regular season?
What will the 2025-26 Boston Celtics look like at the start of the 2025-26 NBA regular season? The Celtics have already made some major moves to the team, trading away veterans like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, letting others like Luke Kornet and Al Horford leave the team in free agency, cutting the 2025 G League Most Valuable Player JD Davison. Boston has dealt for players like Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang, and might trade them yet again. They have also brought on players like Luke Kornet and Josh Minott via signings, and Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga as their trio of selections from the 2025 NBA Draft. They have added new voices to the bench of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, and even seen some significant turnover in the team's front office this summer. In total, Boston will look quite different next season from recent years, and popular Celtics blogger and podcast Dan Greenberg recently joined the folks behind the "WEEI Boston's Sports Original" YouTube channel's "Christian Arcand Show," who put together a clip of their chat on how Boston is going to look next season from the episode in question. Check it out below! Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftal-6-summer-style-fads-that-arent-worth-the-money-tout-385ba1b3a54d42f39edf7b1d850c0790.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
31 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
6 Summer Style Fads That Aren't Worth the Money—and What a Fashion Writer Says You Should Wear Instead
This summer has brought so many fun trends. From nostalgic polka dot skirts to mesh ballet flats that require a pedicure, I've been thoroughly enjoying the return of fun to fashion—from afar. While I love many of the latest trends, it's just not practical to invest in them all, especially when I know they will be out of style within a year. Although I'm still drawing inspiration from new fads, I'm leaving the overly saturated, niche iterations behind in place of more timeless pieces. To save your seasonal wardrobe—and your wallet—I'm sharing the six trends you should skip this summer, plus what to wear instead. These classic alternatives will still make you look fashionable, but I'm willing to bet they'll stay in your closet much longer than microtrends will. Shop retro sneakers, timeless jeans, and more of my favorite styles, with picks from top brands like Madewell, and Levi's. Instead of Polka Dots, Buy Madewell Striped Mini Skirt, $70 (originally $98) Madewell Striped Mini Skirt, $70 (originally $98) Instead of Barrel Jeans, Buy Levi's 501 '90s Straight-leg Ankle Jeans, $98 Levi's 501 '90s Straight-leg Ankle Jeans, $98 Instead of Bloomers, Buy Stratus Lace-trim Satin Shorts, $67 with code SHOPSALE (originally $148) Stratus Lace-trim Satin Shorts, $67 with code SHOPSALE (originally $148) Instead of Mesh Flats, Buy Dsevht Crochet Ballet Flats, $50 Dsevht Crochet Ballet Flats, $50 Instead of Sneaker Mary Janes, Buy Puma Speedcat OG Sneaker, $100 Puma Speedcat OG Sneaker, $100 Instead of Toe-ring Sandals, Buy Wnshonzy Metal Hardware Flip-flops. $45 From satin skirts to sweet midi dresses, polka dots are the biggest print of the season. The nostalgic style adds a feminine touch to any outfit, and I've loved seeing it paired with more masculine pieces. I have a polka dot skirt myself, but I have a feeling it will burn out quickly. So now, I have my eye on more unique prints that will set me apart from the crowd—and last at least a few years. From the gorgeous, earthy stripe on Madewell's mini skirt to a romantic floral print on Belle Poque's midi dress, these designs will put a unique spin on any outfit, without looking unfashionable in less than a year. Barrel jeans are turning out to be the most divisive denim style since skinny jeans. They've been around for a couple of years, and yet, they still haven't been widely accepted. If you aren't game for facing some serious style criticism, opt for a wide-leg or relaxed, tapered jean that's just as fashionable. These silhouettes are the new classics, and I'm quite sure they're here to stay. Shop my favorites from just $39, below. It's rare for me to come across a trend I can't get behind, but I'm struggling to support the bloomers trend. Instead, I'm eyeing satin and eyelet shorts that feel just as feminine without looking costumey. Whether you splurge on the Reformation Fern Satin Shorts or dare to wear the $13 Ekouaer Satin Pajama Shorts in daylight, satin styles are so much more timeless than bloomers—and fashion people are starting to wear them in lieu of more traditional short styles. Eyelet shorts are another more versatile option that still exudes plenty of style; try these eyelet shorts from Madewell that can be dressed up or down and are on sale for just $47. Last year, I spotted mesh flats on a select few of the most fashionable of New Yorkers. This year, they're everywhere. I'm predicting that by next year, we are all going to hate the trend, and resale shops will fill to the brim with the discarded mesh flats we've grown tired of. Instead, I found unique ballet flats that are so much better. If you still want to show some skin, the Dsevht Crochet Ballet Flats are a great choice (and will make you look so in-the-know). Shopping for something truly timeless? The red Dream Pairs Ballet Flats make a statement, and they'll be in style for years. Shop even more of my top picks, below. Low-profile sneakers and Mary Jane flats had an ultra-trendy baby, and it's the most polarizing shoe of the season. Whenever two trends come together to create a hybrid trend, I'm wary of its lifespan, but something tells me this one will be especially short-lived. Instead of buying a pair of 'sneakerinas,' I recommended either buying sneakers or Mary Janes (or one of each!) that are just as cute and comfortable—but won't look dated in a year or two. In place of Puma's Speedcat Ballet Shoes, I'm opting for the original sneaker version that's just as trendy. Plus, I've found a Mary Jane mule that's just as unique, and it comes from one of the comfiest shoe brands around. Keep scrolling to discover your new staple shoe. I can't deny it: I'm obsessed with toe-ring sandals. My favorite pairs feature metal detailing on the toe loop, resulting in an elevated yet laid-back look. As much as I love the trend, however, I've been holding back on purchasing a pair for myself. In all honesty, I don't think I'll be pulling these sandals out of my closet to wear next summer. While the toe-ring style may die out soon, I'm predicting that metal hardware is here to stay. I found four gorgeous pairs of sandals with statement hardware, including flip-flops, gladiator sandals, and travel-ready slides. These pairs are versatile enough to dress up or down, and I'm willing to bet you'll be wearing them for years to come. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
