Physical treatment from opponents is no new phenomenon in the NBA. From the infamous “Jordan Rules”, the narratives of plans formed to physically foil superstars have been ever-present. And Allen Iverson wasn’t immune to such treatment either.
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This has often led to teams signing or making moves for “enforcers” for superstars to cut down opponent bruisers. Charles Oakley, Dennis Rodman, and Udonis Haslem are a few examples of famous “enforcers” who come to mind.
The Philadelphia 76ers went by the playbook and ensured that their franchise star also had his enforcer. Allen Iverson was already making quite the wave as a youngster at Philly. And the 76ers had identified who they wanted, too.
Vernon “Mad Max” Maxwell had earned quite the reputation as a hard man in the league. Maxwell had also established himself as a co-star the big guns wanted to have with them.
Having played with Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and the likes, Maxwell brought a championship mentality and the “enforcement” capabilities that the Sixers desired.
And though Maxwell’s signing came at the fag end of his career and his tenure lasted only for one season, there was evidence that his job was well executed.
Vernon Maxwell threatened an opponent with “repercussions” for fouling AI.
Allen Iverson revealed how “Mad Max” had his back during a bruising in 2000-01. AI was a guest on his enforcer’s podcast and was recalling the job Maxwell did to protect him from opposition tough men.
“I don’t remember who it was. But I just remember Vernon telling the guy, “Look, don’t do that again. Because he’s going to pay my fine. So, you foul him like that one more time, there’s going to be repercussions” remembers AI, quite vividly too, of a “Mad Max” encounter.
The franchise player had to be protected, even at his own costs, in this instance as Maxwell put it. And the threat was bound to be taken seriously too, considering Vernon’s repute in the league. Opponents definitely respected the veteran’s words and AI arguably got the benefit of the “enforcer”‘s presence.
“I don’t think nobody breathed on me no more after that” said AI to conclude the narrative. Maxwell certainly wasn’t to be messed with, and the Sixers would wish they had him earlier and for longer to extend Iverson’s prime.
Maxwell’s reputation preceded him, and unsurprisingly so. Someone who walked up eight rows of seats to beat up a heckling fan is certainly not to be crossed.
Mad Max was suspended for 10 games during his Rockets tenure for punching a fan.
Maxwell’s tenure with the Rockets was his most successful period as a basketball player. And yet, the resume wasn’t quite blemish-free.
On a low-scoring night, Maxwell was heckled by a fan and what resulted was unprecedented. The player casually strolled up to the unsuspecting fan and punched him in his face.
The fan claims to have only joked about the Rockets guard’s poor performance. But the player’s account states a dig at his wife’s recent miscarriage. Enough to make any man’s blood boil, naturally, if the story is true.
Regardless, this was proof of the unpredictable tempest that Maxwell carried with him. A red flag to any opponent who wished to tick him off indeed.
