Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, hasn’t played an NBA game in over two decades, yet somehow, the stories about him never stop coming. Sure, his basketball skills were next level — no doubt about that — but his trash talk, no-nonsense attitude, and pure energy gave fans an adrenaline rush like never before.
Jordan’s impact still echoes through the league, and just when you think you’ve heard it all, another former player comes out with a wild tale about him. This time, it’s Houston Rockets legend Vernon Maxwell, who once found himself on the wrong side of Jordan’s fury. The moment was intense back then, but years later, it’s a cherished memory — one Maxwell now laughs about as he retells it.
The Night Michael Jordan Owned Vernon Maxwell
Maxwell is known for his tough gameplay, and, let’s be honest — his unfiltered mouth. The two-time NBA champion recently sat down with the “All the Smoke” show to recall a moment when Jordan put him on a poster in the most humiliating way possible.
“Everybody coming out there to see Mike [Jordan], all them b****** here come to see Mike. I said, Motherf*****, this n**** jersey on more than Max. In his town, they kept quiet on Max for the night.”
Right then, Stephen Jackson fired a question at “Mad Max” about him facing Jordan.
“OG, do you have a moment? When you used to play against him, and he did something, and you ran down on the court like psh,” Jackson asked.
Maxwell’s response was hilarious. He recalled the moment Jordan completely embarrassed him on the court.
“Yeah, jumping everywhere, every time I turn around, I’m looking at him — the bottom of his m*********** shoes. I have never seen an MF just spin and jump at the same time. I mean, just gone… This MF spun on me and dunked the s*** out of me!”
Whole energy shifted when MJ came into town 🤣
Watch ALL THE SMOKE with @VernonMaxwell11 on YouTube! pic.twitter.com/ZgOGFwx7Qe
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) March 3, 2025
If there’s one thing Jordan did better than anyone else it was making defenders look foolish. That’s why the dunk wasn’t enough for the six-time NBA champion. He had to make sure Maxwell felt it, too.
“He hit me on my a** when he was running back. Max recalled while having a good laugh at it.”
Already outmaneuvered by MJ, Maxwell was all in rage, and on top of that, MJ mocking him was too much for him. He marched right up to MJ, ready for a response. But, as always, Jordan had the last word.
“That’s when I went and grabbed that m***********. He said, ‘Man, keep your MF hands to yourself. Do not touch me, m***********. Keep your hands to your MF self.’”
Jordan’s legacy isn’t just about championships or highlight plays — it’s the fact that even decades later, his opponents still shake their heads in disbelief. Whether it was his mid-air wizardry, deadly footwork, or ruthless trash talk, Jordan always made sure everyone knew he was the king of the court.
And as for Vernon Maxwell? Well, he might’ve been on the wrong side of a Jordan highlight, but at least he can laugh about it now.
