Fansided

Worst moment in each NBA franchise’s history

By Brad Rowland

Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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A view of the Houston Rockets logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
A view of the Houston Rockets logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets – Vernon Maxwell brawls with a fan

Much like Sprewell before him, Vernon Maxwell’s actions forced a black mark against his organization. However, in the case of Maxwell, his physical violence was not thrust on another person from the franchise, but rather on a fan at an NBA game.

On February 6, 1995, Maxwell climbed into the seats courtside, and while details are fuzzy as a result of lack of televised footage, he reportedly struck a fan named Steve George in the face with a punch. Maxwell’s history as a hot-tempered player (to put it mildly) was reinforced in this instance, and regardless of the lack of clarity in the details, an NBA player punching a fan courtside is certainly a problem.

For his actions, Maxwell was given a ten-game suspension, and frankly, that seems quite light given what he was accused of doing. This was the precursor to Ron Artest’s famous physical confrontation as part of the “Malice at the Palace”, and Vernon Maxwell is almost better known for this incident than he is for being an above-average NBA player.

The Rockets, like many franchises on this list, are well-regarded in the NBA as a successful organization, but this was a mess of the highest order. Houston should be happy that things did not escalate further, and to be honest, that this was not documented by a video shot that the public would have consumed on hundreds of occasions by now. Regardless, Vernon Maxwell’s actions were less than desirable in this instance.

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