Houston Rockets: Vernon Maxwell Names 15-Time NBA All-Star as the Apr 4, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka coaches against the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets: Vernon Maxwell Names 15-Time NBA All-Star as the 'Missing Piece' That Would Make a Big Difference

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 7:02 AM ET

Vernon Maxwell likes where the Houston Rockets are headed. They are the second seed in the Western Conference with a 47-26 record, and they have a promising core that can make some noise in the playoffs.

Despite being a Top 4 seed, many doubt the Houston Rockets can make a deep playoff run because the Western Conference is stacked. Maxwell said Houston should get a bona fide bucket-getter in Kevin Durant since he can take them to another level.

“Love what Udoka’s doing, he’s a real good coach. The Rockets, those guys want some smoke, they don’t care who they play, they are competitive,” Maxwell said on the All The Smoke podcast.

Houston Rockets: Vernon Maxwell Names 15-Time NBA All-Star as the Feb 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

“I just think with the Rockets man they need to get someone like they keep saying KD, a real scorer type guy. They need a real true scorer, I mean a guy that’s going to be double-teamed night-in and night-out, on the defensive end they got it,” he added.

Houston Rockets News: Vernon Maxwell names his two favorite players

Vernon Maxwell made a name for himself in the 90s as one of the Houston Rockets’ top perimeter defenders, playing a key role in their title-winning seasons in 1993-94 and 1994-95. No wonder he is a fan of Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks.

Houston Rockets: Vernon Maxwell Names 15-Time NBA All-Star as the Feb 6, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots as Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) and forward Dillon Brooks (9) defend during the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

“They ain’t scared of nobody, I love their tenacity on defense,” Maxwell said. “They got Dillon ‘crazy ass’ over there being Dillon. They got a lot of guys who love to compete, Thompson, the twin guy, he’s crazy as a beast. I love that team.”

Defense is a key reason the Houston Rockets are punching above their weight this season. According to NBA.com, they boast the fourth-best defensive rating at 109.7 points allowed per 100 possessions.