Former Houston Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell believes his Hall of Fame teammate Hakeem Olajuwon held back his individual NBA career. In a recent interview, the two-time champion guard argued he would have been an eight-time All-Star if not for Olajuwon's dominant presence on those 1990s Houston teams. The Rockets' current squad is handling a recent series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Maxwell, who won back-to-back titles with Houston in 1994 and 1995, was a key starter. He averaged 13.5 points per game across those championship seasons. But he feels his role as the clear second option behind Olajuwon capped his potential. "I would’ve been an eight-time All-Star out of my 13 years," Maxwell said. "If [Olajuwon] wasn’t on the team, I would’ve averaged 20 plus (points per game)."
His career-high scoring average was 17.2 points per game while playing alongside the center. Maxwell never secured an All-Star nod in his 13-year career. After the Rockets waived him in June 1995, he played for seven other franchises before retiring after the 2000-2001 season.
Olajuwon's peak was extraordinary. With Michael Jordan retired, he became the league's top star. In the 1993-94 season, he averaged 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. That year he won the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards.
He followed that with another stellar campaign. Olajuwon put up 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game in 1994-95, winning another Finals MVP. Before Clyde Drexler arrived, he was often Houston's only player averaging over 15 points. His legacy as the franchise's greatest player is secure, having led them to their only two championships.
There's a case that Maxwell's individual numbers were limited by Olajuwon's need for touches. But it was a trade-off that brought ultimate team success. The Rockets' system was built around their superstar center, and Maxwell's defensive energy and timely shooting were vital components.
He was a frequent starter for five years in Houston. His impact, however, didn't translate to the individual accolades he craved. Maxwell's post-Rockets journey saw his scoring average dip as he moved between teams. The structure in Houston arguably provided his best environment, even if it came with a statistical ceiling.
The current Rockets are building their own identity. This includes a tight playoff series against the Lakers, with results like a 93-99 win on April 30, 2026, and a 115-96 victory on April 27.
While today's team seeks its first Finals trip since the Maxwell-Olajuwon era, the debate about role players and stars continues. A player's legacy can be complex, caught between personal stats and championship rings. For Maxwell, the rings are undeniable, but the feeling of unmet individual potential clearly lingers decades later.
