Few players in NBA history bring the kind of raw honesty and fearlessness that Vernon Maxwell does — on or off the court. Known as “Mad Max” during his playing days for his clutch shooting and unrelenting edge, Maxwell has taken that same energy into a new arena: media. From his viral takes to his no-holds-barred humor, he’s found a whole new audience that’s come to appreciate what longtime hoop fans already knew — Maxwell keeps it real.
On episode 7 of the last episode of season 3 of Scoop B Selects Presented by the National Basketball Retired Players Association and Ice Cube’s Big 3, Maxwell gives his signature take on the biggest move of the offseason — Kevin Durant landing in Houston. As someone who helped bring two championships to that city, his words carry weight. From KD’s fit with rising star Alperen Şengün to the Rockets’ chances of contending for a title, Maxwell speaks as both an insider and a Houston legend who still rides hard for H-Town.
But this conversation isn’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about culture — old and new. Maxwell opens up about his rise in the media over the past six months, how shows like All The Smoke reintroduced him to fans who never saw him play, and whether he’s really trying to tone down his colorful vocabulary (spoiler: probably not). He also reflects on the trash talk era he helped define, with wild stories about Michael Jordan and his own unapologetic approach.
We also dove into today’s game — and who reminds him of the players from his era. Maxwell’s got high praise for Anthony Edwards, sees Giannis fitting better in Toronto than Miami, and makes a compelling case for why Hakeem Olajuwon’s brilliance still hasn’t been replicated, even by greats like Kevin Garnett. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything — whether talking about players, media, or the pressures of legacy.
And in true Mad Max fashion, it’s not just about the past. From LeBron playing alongside his son to the evolution of big men, Maxwell is sharp, funny, and brutally honest. He might not say “motherf***er” as often now, but that edge? Still fully intact.
Here’s our full Q&A with Vernon Maxwell:
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How do you feel about Kevin Durant joining the Houston Rockets via trade?
Vernon Maxwell: I think it’s a great addition, man. I’m sorry for Jalen [Green] and Dillon ‘The Villain’ [Brooks]… I’m sorry for those guys but, I think it was a good trade for both teams, you know? I mean, like I always said last year, the Rockets need a guy that they can roll it out to and get a bucket in the playoffs and now they got that guy so, it’s going to be an interesting year this year.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How do you see the chemistry between Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant developing?
Vernon Maxwell: Well I think it’s gonna be fine, you know? Şengün is a very smart player, a high IQ player and KD is too. I think they’ll mesh well together and once they get to playing with each other they’ll be fine. They’re pros. They know how to play together.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Does Kevin Durant joining the Rockets make them instant NBA Championship favorites?
Vernon Maxwell: I think contender… but not… I don’t think championship yet. We gotta get a couple more pieces but we’re knockin’ on the door. We’re close, so I’m looking forward to it. We’re REAL close.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Would you rather see Giannis in a Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors uniform this season?
Vernon Maxwell: It really doesn’t matter to me, you know? But Giannis, wherever he goes, he is going to be a great addition to the team. I mean, if he goes to Miami, I mean, that’s a great pick up for ‘em, you know what I mean? I mean, I love Giannis. I love Giannis’ game and comes to play hard every night but whoever gets him, that’s going to be a great addition.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How has your rise in the media over the past six months shaped your career?
Vernon Maxwell: It’s been a blessing with All the Smoke. Matt [Barnes] and Stephen [Jackson] and the All the Smoke crew welcomed me with open arms and was a blessing. I’m getting ready to sign my second deal with these guys coming up probably next week and Jack and Ice Cube brought me over here with the BIG3. It was a good experience for me and also it helps the brand, so I’m just a blessed man right now.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Who would win a game of 21 today: you, Stephen Jackson, or Matt Barnes?
Vernon Maxwell: [laughs] Probably Jack! [laughing] I don’t know. I just don’t play no more! I’m 60 now so I don’t play no more.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How has doing All The Smoke helped introduce ‘Mad Max’ to a new generation of fans?
Vernon Maxwell: [smiling] Absolutely. All the young kids come up to me now. They know me from the podcast and me being a funny guy on the podcast and just being genuine. They don’t know really about the basketball. They see it when we show clips but they really don’t know the basketball part. So, but it’s been a great addition; I mean, shit I got over I think 300,000 400,000 more followers so it’s a great addition, so it’s been a blessing to me.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Have you been working on saying ‘mothafucka’ less these days?
Vernon Maxwell: [laughing] Naw man! [laughing] I gotta straighten that out, y’all! I’ma do better, y’all! I’ma do better with that muthafucka shit! Yup. [laughing]
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How do you think Michael Jordan’s legendary trash talk would be received in today’s NBA?
Vernon Maxwell: It would be rough for these kids, man. That boy is a killer, man! He was really a serial killer. He’s supposed to be locked up right now the way he’s… He’s a REAL killer. Shit! I get tired of talking about him but he’s official. He’d average about 35 or 40.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What’s the craziest thing you ever heard Michael Jordan say on the court?
Vernon Maxwell: [thinking] Man, I can’t really remember. He’s said so much crazy shit, you know? I mean, Mike’s a dog out there, man! I mean, y’all think that Mike’s this soft-hearted person out there on the court. Mike’s a dog! Mike has said everything under the damn sun to my dog ass! [laughs]
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Is there anyone in today’s NBA who trash talks like Michael Jordan?
Vernon Maxwell: Not scores like him and plays like him? I don’t see guys doing that any more like him… but I like Ant-Man. I like Ant-Man.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Why do you see Anthony Edwards as a throwback to your era?
Vernon Maxwell: Well, he just plays hard and he’s a dog. That’s the reason why. He just needs to be a little more consistent but I like him. He’s a dog, though. That’s it.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Do you think Hakeem Olajuwon’s style of basketball will ever be replicated? Why or why not?
Vernon Maxwell: No. The feet-work is impeccable! I mean, he’s like a ballerina dancer out there! I mean, you don’t see guys spinning off of guys and guys falling out of bounds and behind the backboard shooting those shots like he does. No. You’re never ever going to see that again.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What sets Hakeem Olajuwon apart from Kevin Garnett?
Vernon Maxwell: The feet-work. Those spin moves are crazy, man! Falling out of bounds, man. That’s the biggest thing to me.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: LeBron James has faced criticism for nepotism in teaming up with his son. How would something like that be viewed in your era?
Vernon Maxwell: Sheeeiit! If anybody could do that, I’m sure that anyone would do that! So it would look like what it would be with him, you know I mean? He did what was best for his son! Who wouldn’t want to do that? I was able to do that, I’d do the same goddamn thing! So, kudos to LeBron and Bronny. I don’t have a problem with it.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking back at your Rockets facing the Knicks in the 1994 NBA Finals, do you think there’s any player in today’s NBA as skilled and talented as Patrick Ewing?
Vernon Maxwell: No! I can’t stand the fuckin’ New York Knicks. Fuck the Knicks, hell no! Drop the mic!
Talking to Vernon Maxwell is like getting hit with a crossover and a punchline at the same time — fast, sharp, and unforgettable. In a media landscape full of cautious takes and packaged personas, he stands out as refreshingly raw. His insight on KD’s move to Houston isn’t just reactive — it’s steeped in legacy, knowing what it takes to bring a title to that city, and understanding the chemistry it takes to get there again.
But what makes Maxwell such a compelling voice now isn’t just nostalgia — it’s his ability to connect generations. Whether he’s breaking down the fire in Anthony Edwards or telling hilarious war stories from the Jordan era, Maxwell reminds us of what the NBA used to be — and what parts of that still survive today. He’s not afraid to say what many won’t, and that truth-telling cuts through loud and clear.
His reflections on Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, and the physical, cerebral brand of basketball they played speak to a deep appreciation for greatness. Yet Maxwell is also tuned in to the evolution of the game — how big men play, how father-son duos are now possible, and how the media now creates superstars as much as the game does.
Maxwell’s media rise over the past six months hasn’t been an accident. It’s the result of authenticity in an era that craves it. Whether it’s going toe-to-toe with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson in a hypothetical game of 21 or breaking down modern-day trash talk, he’s always got something memorable to say — and you better believe it’ll come unfiltered.
In the end, Vernon Maxwell’s message is simple: be yourself, be real, and don’t forget where you came from. Whether you call him Mad Max, champ, legend, or just “the most entertaining man on the mic,” one thing’s clear — he’s still getting buckets, just in a different game now.
