Rockets, To The Max Houston’s Return To Prominence Began Only After Volatile Vernon Left Squad

Believe it or not, this thrill show all started with Vernon Maxwell.

The Rockets are where they are today - lined up for a repeat performance in the NBA Finals partly because of what the troubled guard did early in the playoffs.

Namely, leave the team.

Anybody who underestimates the bonding that has taken place since Maxwell’s exit isn’t looking much past the surface of this team. These Rockets who are gunning for their second consecutive NBA title are a lot different than the team that won Houston’s first major sports championship last June.

This team has an identity besides Hakeem and the Olajuwonians, which was what last season’s unique champions were.

Their new look is partly because Maxwell no longer is around to offer his inconsistencies that ranged from 3-for-18 shooting to game-winning shots at the final buzzer.

In his place is Clyde Drexler. Now, in the playoffs, the Rockets haven’t allowed themselves to get in a position where they have to rely on last-second heroics by Maxwell or anybody else.

This team has grown immeasurably during an 18-game playoff run, 17 of which have been played since Maxwell’s departure.

The rise to the Finals came as no surprise to at least one person.

“I said from the very start of the playoffs that I thought our team more than any other had a chance to improve as the playoffs went on because we hadn’t had the opportunity to be together very much in the regular season,” coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “When we finally got things set, we got a chance to grow as a team.”

And grow they did. Following are 10 key moments when the Rockets grew up over the past 38 days:

April 28 - The Max factor. The 6-foot-4 guard, who had said several times since the arrival of Drexler that he no longer wanted to be with the Rockets, gets his wish when team and player agree on a leave of absence. Maxwell had scored three points on 1-for-7 shooting in 16 minutes of Game 1 against Utah. And then, he was gone. The fallout was positive. Tomjanovich didn’t feel compelled to shoehorn an extra 20 minutes per game for Maxwell. Mario Elie came alive and Drexler seemed at ease.

May 5 - Olajuwon scores 40 points and Drexler one-ups him with 41. The pair ignites an easy win that evens the series against Utah, 2-2.

May 7 - The notion that Olajuwon will not let the Rockets fail gains support as he dumps in 33 points, including six in a row that put the Rockets ahead for good, as they win at Utah 95-91 and advance, 3-2.

May 9 - Jake City. In one of the most bizarre situations regarding an NBA referee, Jake O’Donnell refuses to shake hands with Drexler before Game 1 against Phoenix, then ejects Drexler early in the second quarter. It is the last game O’Donnell, considered one of the league’s best officials, works in the playoffs. A blessing for the Rockets.

May 14 - As the Suns finish a 114-110 victory at The Summit in Game 4 to put Phoenix up 3-1 in the conference semifinals, Charles Barkley walks by press row, looks squarely at reporters and proclaims: “Bring your golf clubs to Phoenix - it’s all going to be over (in Game 5).”

May 16 (Game 5) - What a waste. Writer drags the darn golf clubs along. Never takes them out of the travel bag. Rockets win.

May 20 - On national television, the Rockets put Barkley and his Butt-Kicking Inc. out of business with a 115-114 win at America West Arena. The Rockets become the first team to come back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits in the same series. Their legend grows.

May 28 - The Rockets lose big at home, fall into 2-2 tie with the Spurs and realize they are not playing with the necessary aggression.

May 30 - The Rockets blow out the Spurs 111-90 behind Olajuwon’s 42 points. Robert Horry spends more time on Dennis Rodman, and the forward’s confidence grows.

June 1 - The difference is made. Horry nails a 3 with 2 minutes left, giving the Rockets a comfort zone as they close out the Spurs with a 100-95 win. Olajuwon has 39 points, four better than his series average.