How Vernon Maxwell saved the Rockets’ first championship

Although former Houston Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell was never the star player on the team, the Rockets wouldn’t have won their first title without Mad Max’s heroics.

There have been many great moments in Houston Rockets history, from epic playoff upsets like the 1980-81 team defeating the Los Angeles Lakers en route to the Finals, to Mario Elie‘s “Kiss of Death” in the 1994 playoffs, to Hakeem Olajuwon dominating David Robinson in the 1995 playoffs. One moment that’s not discussed enough in Rockets’ history is Game 3 of the 1994 Western Conference Semifinals against the Phoenix Suns.

The Rockets had the best record in the Western Conference that season, which led to them landing the number…