Vernon Maxwell tells Matt Barnes how things came full circle with Hakeem Olajuwon — and what The Dream really thought of Max’s now-legendary slap story on the latest episode of All The Smoke Unplugged.
Mad Max’s viral story about getting slapped by Hakeem Olajuwon came full circle when the two reconnected during a Houston Rockets Legends Night. After chatting with former coach Rudy Tomjanovich, Maxwell turned and said, “There goes the m—f—that slapped me.” He walks to Olajuwon and hugs him. After the embrace, The Dream jokingly asked why Maxwell brought the slap story back up, telling him to leave that door closed. Maxwell replied in classic Mad Max fashion: “Come on now, Dream, the sh—t happened.” While Olajuwon may have wanted to move on, Maxwell laughed and told Barnes, “I’m never gonna stop talking about it.”
“LEAVE THAT DOOR CLOSED.”
Mad Max & Hakeem Olajuwon reunite in Houston 🤣
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The conversation shifted to the red-hot Houston Rockets, who Barnes noted are cooking after a big win over the Thunder and ending the Warriors’ win streak. Maxwell joked that the Rockets played so well it looked like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t even want to be out there. He praised their defense, highlighting their length, size, and athleticism as key to their recent success. Still, Mad Max is skeptical about how the Rockets will fare in the playoffs. He pointed out a few games the Rockets let slip away — ones they were in early but couldn’t close. Maxwell said he’s a fan of head coach Ime Udoka, but admitted the second round could get tough, especially if the Rockets run into the Lakers.
Maxwell isn’t convinced the Rockets have that go-to guy you can count on to go get a bucket. Barnes noted the Rockets have plenty of young talent and have taken on Udoka’s tough, in-your-face identity as a defensive squad. Experience is everything in the playoffs, and on any given night, a team can be victorious, but to beat a team in a seven-game series, you have to be the better team. Maxwell added that playoff basketball slows down as teams must execute in the half-court, and the fast-break points the Rockets love may not come as easily.
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
Mad Max Reunites with Hakeem, Nuggets FIRE Coach Malone & Unreal Austin Reaves
MAD MAX returns! Vernon Maxwell recaps his hilarious run-in with Hakeem Olajuwon at Houston Rockets’ Legends Night. Matt & Max react to The Dream getting denied after the Houston Cougars’ Final Four win and look back on the closing action from NCAA March Madness. Plus, the guys discuss headlines from the NBA: Draymond Green’s Defensive Player of the Year ascent, Amen Thompson’s different level & Ja Morant’s latest troubles. Then, legendary coach Phil Handy drops in! The 3x NBA Champion reflects on his recent conversations with JuJu Watkins & casually drops all-time Austin Reaves stories from his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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