Vernon Maxwell has no shortage of wild NBA stories, but few top the day a teenage Kobe Bryant crashed a Philadelphia 76ers practice. Mad Max shared what happened the day he went toe-to-toe with the future Hall of Famer on the latest episode of All The Smoke Unplugged.
As Maxwell tells it, John Lucas II brought Bryant, then a high school basketball player, to the Philadelphia 76ers practice and Max’s antennas went up because he had followed Bryant’s career at Lower Merion. Although impressive, Maxwell doubted whether Bryant could handle what he calls “this grown man sh-t!” At least that was what he thought until Mamba hit the hardwood. Lucas put Bryant on the second team in a scrimmage against the starters and Maxwell matched up with Bryant off the rip because both were two-guards. Bryant wasted no time getting to work in true Black Mamba fashion, stringing together moves and drilling a pull-up jump shot over Maxwell.
When the ball went through the hoop, Mad Max said to himself humorously, “This little m—f— is for real.” From then on, Maxwell knew he had to bring the clamps, or it would be a long day. Maxwell admits that there were times when Bryant could have taken more shots over him because he had him beaten and decided to pass the rock in order to give other players opportunities to score. It puzzled Maxwell at first, but he soon realized that it was an indicator that Bryant knew how to play the game of basketball correctly.
To try to throw Bryant off his game, Maxwell decided to play more physical defense on him. That turned out to be a bad decision. Bryant took Mad Max to the post and put him in the torture chamber. The way Bryant dominated Mad Max in the post reminded him of Michael Jordan. Bryant continued his offensive exhibition, driving and getting downhill on Maxwell. When all was said and done, Maxwell admitted he could do nothing about Bryant. Bryant did not say a word. He was in full kill mode. He gave Mad Max 12 straight points, and Lucas had to call a timeout to ask Mad Max when he would decide to guard Bryant. At the end of the scrimmage, Maxwell gave Bryant the stamp of approval and even let him know not to go to college and that he was ready for the NBA.
Watch or listen to the full episode below and keep an eye on DraftKings Network for new episodes of All The Smoke Unplugged every Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET!
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Vernon Maxwell IS BACK! High School Kobe, Trash Talking Magic Johnson & the Transfer Portal MESS
MAD MAX IS BACK. After sending shockwaves through the basketball world & beyond with his viral interview, Vernon Maxwell is officially welcomed into the ALL THE SMOKE family. Matt shares the internet’s best reactions to Max’s episode, including high praise from Jamie Foxx and call-outs from cougars in the comment section. Max then unleashes more can’t-miss stories from his playing career. He shares what it was like when a high school-aged Kobe Bryant rolled up to the 76ers practice & sets the record straight on what really happened after he trash-talked Magic Johnson.
The guys pivot to today’s hottest headlines: exploring the Houston Rockets & OKC Thunder’s playoff potential, reacting to the Boston Celtics’ shocking $6.1B sale, and breaking down Brandon Jennings challenge to the 2009 NBA Draft class.
Plus, the guys reflect on Week One of the NCAA Tournament & discuss how college basketball could be saved from transfer portal chaos.
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