Former Houston Rockets player and two-time NBA champion Vernon Maxwell is known for his undying loyalty to the Rockets. As admirable as his support for his former team is, Maxwell’s hatred for the Utah Jazz is equally noteworthy.
Many players in NBA players throughout history have shown a dislike for the Jazz, but Vernon Maxwell’s long-standing efforts to troll the Jazz and its fanbase are on another level. The most recent iteration of this came when Maxwell took to X to show support for Houston while very pointedly taking a shot at Utah. He tweeted:
“If my Rockets lose Game 6, I will personally donate 10k worth of deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap to Salt Lake S—ty, Utah in an effort to improve their personal hygiene.”
Needless to say, Vernon Maxwell’s tweet went viral in a matter of minutes, as NBA fans were left in awe of the lengths the former champion would go to disrespect the franchise. However, considering that Maxwell has been doing this since 2017 (at least on Twitter), it comes as no surprise.
Underneath the flimsily disguised taunt at the Jazz, however, Vernon Maxwell displayed faith in the Houston Rockets’ ability to secure a win against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6. Although the Lakers enjoy a 3-2 lead, the Rockets’ current surge suggests that the tides could be turning.
Can The Rockets Deliver A Win For Vernon Maxwell?
Vernon Maxwell was notably absent from Game 5 of the Lakers-Rockets series, something the two-time champion pointed out on X, tweeting:
“First time in 10 seasons I wasn’t invited back to be a guest for the Rockets, but you know I’m Clutch City for life. They will win tonight, and even if they don’t, at least our season lasted longer than Utah’s.”
While his message expressed some disappointment, his loyalty to Houston (and hatred for Utah) remained.
Having spent six years with the Houston Rockets, Maxwell’s deep-rooted support for the team is inspiring, to say the least. In light of the Rockets’ recent form, there is good reason to believe that it could be rewarding, too.
Houston has looked like a revitalized team over the last two games. Following a dominant showing to blow the Lakers out in Game 4, the Rockets came back stronger on the road, securing a 99-93 win in Game 5 to keep their postseason hopes alive.
In Kevin Durant’s absence, players such as Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. have stepped up to the plate. When also factoring in the key contributions from players like Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard, Houston has seemed like a more cohesive unit.
Having won two consecutive games, Houston has convincingly taken control of the series. With Game 6 set to be played at home, the Rockets may be able to deliver a win for Vernon Maxwell, potentially also saving him from spending $10,000 on hygiene products.
