H.O.F. Watch – Robert Horry
Every day we’re taking one active NBA star with at least arguable Hall of Fame credentials and breaking down his chances of getting into the Springfield, Mass., hoops mecca. We’re looking at not just past accomplishments, but also how a player’s career realistically projects for the future. For a full explanation of the process, click here. Today’s candidate: Robert Horry.
ROBERT HORRY (16th year, Spurs/Lakers/Suns/Rockets)
7.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks per game
Why: The playoffs. “Big Shot Rob” has seven NBA championship rings, more than anyone in history who’s not affiliated with the Russell-era Celtics, and was a legit contributor for each and every one of those championships — two with Houston, three with L.A., and two with San Antonio. Horry has never not been on a playoff team his entire career, and his postseason averages trump his regular-season numbers across the board. Then there are those clutch shots for which Horry has become famous.
Why not: The regular season. Horry’s numbers are pedestrian, he doesn’t have any All-Star appearances, and the only individual accolade he’s achieved is an All-Rookie second team nod. He’s been a backup — and usually not even the 6th man — for most of his career, and his best statistical season (12 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.5 bpg) would be OK at best for anyone who would be considered a star.
Our call: OUT
The H.O.F. Watch archive
11/2 – Kobe Bryant
11/1 – Grant Hill
10/31 – Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 – Tony Parker
10/29 – Elton Brand
10/26 – Carmelo Anthony
10/25 – Vince Carter
10/24 – Penny Hardaway
10/23 – Alonzo Mourning
10/22 – Allen Iverson
10/19 – Dwyane Wade
10/18 – Chauncey Billups
10/17 – Stephon Marbury
10/16 – Jason Kidd
10/15 – Shawn Marion
10/12 – Ray Allen
10/11 – Chris Bosh
10/10 – Chris Webber
10/9 – Paul Pierce
10/5 – Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 – Gary Payton
10/3 – Tracy McGrady
November 5th, 2007 at 10:48 am
sam says:
IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 5th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Prof. TX says:
I’d have to say IN, not because of great stats in every category, but because he fills his niche (the buzzer-beating coffin nail of a 3pt shot) better than anyone else has, and is a proven winner rather than alot of the vets these days that just move around to chase rings that other people earn.
Plenty of people get the “in” vote for just scoring or just rebounding, just doing one thing well. Horry does his one thing very well and has ever since he started.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:06 am
rob stewart says:
He’s gotta make it in. Being consistently clutch and one of the greatest role players of all time has to be honored. If not, you might as well just make a rule that says if you don’t put up 20pts a game you can’t be in the H.O.F. I doubt he’ll make it, but for my generation of ballplayers he’ll definitley be in our Street and Heart H.O.F.’s.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:23 am
marcus says:
He’s a role player. A very clutch role player but still a role player. Out
November 5th, 2007 at 11:28 am
fiyaman says:
definetly IN.. 7 Rings?.. and its not like he was riding coattails
November 5th, 2007 at 11:42 am
ya says:
U have to put him in. You dont get 7 rings 7 rings 7 f ing rings(!!!) by accident or bc no one wants you…he played a significant role as a leader and a back up who could be counted on and changed the spelling of clutch to H-O-R-R-Y. In 20 years his name will be there, and even though it wont be a household name people of his era will be telling their kids stories of a crazy looking guy from bama who had ice in his veins. Most clutch player EVER
November 5th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Gee says:
In! Good college career. Very good athletic player with the Rockets coming in. Has had a key roles in so many playoff games it’s not even funny. Has made a mark that few have made and attained what very few have attained, especially in this day and age. Not a superstar by any means but come playoff time he is a player that has to be planned for and accounted for in the game. He is that player that had many people saying “If it wasn’t for Horry”. Whether he is a roll player or not, there are superstars and top players that haven’t and can’t and won’t do what he has done or get what he has gotten. If he is a roll player then I think he will be the first roll player to get in.
He is in!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Bobby B says:
@ya:
“Most clutch player EVER”
Are you fucking kidding me? On how many of his “clutch” shots was he wide open? The vast majority of them!
The bottom line is this: If the game is on the line, do you want the ball in Horry’s hands? Probably not. The dude is a spot-up shooter, and cannot create his own shot. If he is wide open and the game is on the line, do you want the ball in his hands? If he’s wide open, why not?!
If you were to list the most clutch players “EVER” where does Horry fall on that list? You want the ball in the hands of someone that can create their own shot, not somebody that has been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, most of his career. Give me MJ, Bird, Miller, Kobe, and even ‘Melo before you even mention Horry.
Yes, I know Horry has the hardware, but can anybody honestly call him the most clutch player ever?!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
zpurz says:
bobby b, perhaps you havent actually watched horry. even in his old age he gets down the court and swats shots when needed. http://youtube.com/watch?v=P_1nifNn730 (even d-rob lovin that)
and if you were to look at the 2005 game in detroit when he went off at the end of the 4th and into OT you would see that he damn well can creat his own shot. just ask rip hamilton how his head feels. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZHL2FA42pH8
that video speaks for itself.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Gregg says:
He’s IN.
Yes he’s a role player. Yes he doesn’t have the stats. Yes he has the hardware. But in every year he’s won a championship he’s made game/series defining moments whether it is his shot falling or shot blocking. I understand that superstars win championships (Hakeem, Drexler, Shaq, Kobe, Timmy, TP) but it’s the roll players who win respect.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Bron42 says:
I’d say in even though he BS’ the regular season. But to be a role player, and yet be as clutch as some of the all time greats takes alot. Hes left his mark on some of the most dominant teams in nba history by only being a clutch shooter. He doesn’t hit the shot against the kings, lakers arent a dynasty. He doesn’t hit the 3 against the pistons, spurs don’t win. Doesn’t hockey check nash (even though nash flopped like he was in a car accident) amare and diaw never leave the bench. Even big shots early when he was in houston. Might not have the tmac,carter,dirk stats but has the basketball IQ to constantly be in the right place at the right time. Some of the better players in the league can’t even step up like he has to the point where hes made a career of scoping out a up and coming team (before they are dominant) and then playing a big part in them winnning a ring. So hes Def IN.
p.s The guys got more rings then MJ and played a part (although only in the playoffs) of getting each one.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Coldchain says:
I guess is K.C. Jones is in the Hall than Horry could get in. Jones got 8 rings with the Celtics and didn’t average 10 ppg. BUT, Jones also won two chips in college and a gold medal. Horry’s not even good enough to get named to the Olympic team. So I’d say he’s out.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Myrie in NY says:
How can you deny a player who has mad chips? Jordan doesn’t even have 7 rings!! And Horry has a few NBA Finals records too. I think 3pt attempts and makes. He’ll probably come close to most NBA Finals games played too.
I say in simply because he threw a towel in Danny Ainge’s face back in Phoenix. Gotta love that.
Horry makes it. No doubt.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Mike says:
I think DIME made a controversial move here by saying Horry is OUT, when everyone’s so enthralled by his rings and memorable shots. But I agree with DIME’s assessment, because I don’t think that there was ever a time during Horry’s entire career where the opposing team made adjustments before the game just for Horry. Not a single time. I mean if you’re a hall of famer, you can’t be overlooked like that for your ENTIRE career. So he’s out in my opinion, no matter how many clutch shots he made.. And I won’t even go into how he always got ABUSED in the post by the other team’s power forwards when he was playing for my Lakers. Rasheed, Malone, Webber, Kenyon, KG, Duncan, you name it and they killed Horry, period. The dude was a good help defender but he couldn’t stop anybody on the block by himself.. That ain’t no hall of famer.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Gee says:
Yea them University of Alabama boys got some coach issues lol. Horry and Sprewell lol. Don’t go messin with a country boy! LOL
November 5th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Bron42 says:
ya i agree with mike but they wouldnt turn down a guy who played a huge part in winning 4 of his 7 championships. Hes like the mr.october of basketball
November 5th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Bobby B says:
@ zpurz:
I’ve been watching Horry since he was on the Rockets, and they were calling him the next Pippen. So, I do know a little about Horry. Re: the 2nd clip and Horry creating his own shot. He created his own shot twice in that clip; everything else was catch-and-shoot. Once, he jab-stepped right then stepped back and hit a 3 in Wallace’s mug. And, on another play he pump-faked a 3, then drove in for a dunk and 1.
I am not denying he has hit some big shots in his career. But, if the game is on the line, do you want Horry to have the ball in his hands and isolated at the top of the key? Can anybody argue that Horry is the most clutch player ever? I won’t deny that Horry has hit some clutch shots (mostly by being in the right place at the right time), but I have major beef when people say he is the most clutch player ever.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
E-ROC says:
I think Horry is IN, especially if he wins a ring this year. A players just doesn’t get this lucky without having any skill. Horry has a lot of memorable plays in the playoffs, that some of the HOFers would be jealous of. I still remember Horry dunking on the whole Piston’s team in the NBA finals a couple of years ago. We all know what he did last year.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
jnuh says:
OUT.
2 titles with Houston with Hakeem arguably in his prime.
3 titles with Shaq & Kobe.
2 titles with Duncan, Parker & Ginobli.
Horry is a professional coattail rider.
He’s hit some shots, but that’s because he’s been OPEN.
Congratulations on performing the basic function of a perimeter basketball player Robert Horry – you hit some open jumpers (albeit it big games).
When it comes down to it, Horry has never been the REASON why he’s been in these games to begin with. The last 6 yeasr he coasts in the regular season with minimal playing time & finds himself wide open at the end of big games. TOTALLY HOF MATERIAL.
OUT. OUT. OUT.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Mox says:
Not sure if he’s in or out, but as a laker fan, what a great memory when he hit that game winner in the western conference finals against SacTo.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Finally, one I had to think about. As a Lakers fan, I love Robert Horry. I liked dude even in Houston when as a rookie, he personally DESTROYED the Bulls in their first meeting. I went to his NBA.com player page just to see what the numbers were each year so…basically I gotta pass on Big Shot. Lookin at the players in the Hall of Fame, they were players who were superstars or changed the game, NBA players that I recognized anyways. horry has 7 rings and is a winner, but he is not a hall of famer. People shit on Garnett and McGrady for not taking their teams anywhere, then they wanna enshrine a dude that played with Dream and Glide; Shaq and Kobe; and TD, TP, and Manu. He’s been in great situations, but even Horry himself says he hits these clutch shots cuz there’s no pressure. If he misses, he’s supposed to miss and they’ll just blame the stars anyways. No coach ever spent a second on figuring out how to stop Robert Horry and let’s not give credit where it ain’t due cuz Bobby B’s on point. He’s never created his own shot and I wouldn’t want the ball in his hands with the clock runnin down. Down to Hakeem, kick out , open look; Kobe swing pass, open look; Tony Parker, drive and kick, open look. How did Horry do in Phoenix without any MVP caliber superstars? Yeah, he has more rings than Jordan, Magic, Bird…..What the phuck should that mean? Steve Kerr won 4 STRAIGHT chips and we all seen his shot off MJ’s pass. Dude led the league in 3 pt percentage twice…Is he in? Horry’s been a great role player and he got his rings, but he’s in no way a hall of famer, but finally DIME, this was more like it
November 5th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Myrie in NY says:
K-Dizzle,
No way is Steve Kerr in. Talk about a coat tail rider. Steve Kerr couldn’t fit the basic job description of a PG. He doesn’t defend, cannot handle the ball, cannot create a shot for anyone on his team and cannot run an actual offense. I’m sorry to hear his house was damaged by the fires 2 weeks ago, but Kerr ain’t getting in no HOF. That bum.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
2 Easy says:
Ah Ive been waitin on this one. To me this could easily go either way. Horry has more rings than some of the greatest to play the game and hes actually contributed to each one of those titles. On the other hand his averages were just that, average and hes never won anything individually. Personally Id put him in cause all he does is win but I can understand why some wouldnt put him in but in my opinion this is one that could easily go either way
November 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
fatron says:
as a kings fan, even now – *sigh, that still remembers every bit, still hates him, hes in i think.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Big10 says:
IN!
People forget that Horry was a STARTER on both of the Rockets’ championship teams. Anybody who’s a starter on two teams that win NBA rings has at least minimal credibility. But then add 5 more rings to that.
By the way, here’s another way to think about it: If you’re really a competitive player and you have to make a choice, would you rather be starting and playing 35 minutes a game for the entire regular season, OR would you rather be on the court during the fourth quarter of playoff games? There’s only one good answer for that question, and Horry consistently came through when it counted the most! Coaches for seven championship teams had to pick 5 players to be on the court at the end of championship games, and Horry was one of those 5 guys every time.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, Horry should be IN the Hall of Fame….
November 5th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
djKianoosh says:
that argument that he was wide open on his shots doesn’t mean anything to me for some reason. so what if he was wide open? those are actually tougher shots for most people. he spaced the floor well and was ready and did his part. you gonna fault him for doing his job? and for his ’superstar’ teammates for trusting him?
remember, this is the hall of “Fame”. is he famous? hell yeah! He’s the guy who has more rings than Jordan, although that argument doesn’t really mean much to me either, but it’s true, and it has a certain “fame” appeal to it. he’s the guy that buries teams’ hopes in important games in the playoffs. He practically does this every playoff series. and it’s not just timely threes. it’s help defense (yes, i agree, not 1-on-1 D), timely blocks, timely taken charges, timely screens. all the “little things”.
so it comes down to how much you value the little things that coaches always harp on. I guess I value all that a lot, cause I say he’s in. But I won’t complain if he doesn’t get in, I’ll just tell stories to my grandkids about a guy who did all the right things on the court, was a perennial champion and hit some of the deadliest threes in playoff history.
If I were coaching a bunch of grade-schoolers, I’d devote an entire practice session to teaching them about a player like Horry if that was possible.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Lou Spliff says:
IN by a hair. I don’t like his career numbers stats wise. DIME is right they are very pedestrian but he has been a key piece to seven championship teams and hits clutch shots year after year. I think he deserves to be in.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
djKianoosh says:
oh and was it mentioned that he has the record for most threes in the NBA Finals? currently at 53, Jordan had 42. he’s also 2nd all time in the playoffs for threes made, behind the best three point shooter ever in reggie miller.
so it’s not like he only hit a few big shots here and there. there were quite a few big shots in a long playoff career.
check out his wikipedia page for more records…
November 5th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Gee says:
Big 10 I got to say Amen on that!
Trust me on this one too! Allllll and I do mean All these cats talking bout he was wide open hear this. I (in the words of Vince Mc.)Guarrrannn Dayum Teee that if Horry had the ball guarded, unguarded, double teamed or what have you and it was the last few seconds (against their favorite team) they all would be like “Nooo get it out of his hands!” Why? Cause dude more than not finds a way. Like Noosh said he does all the little things. Oh yea lol Rob is the reason a lot of cats don’t even have rings yet, now grind that out.
Rob probably aint even caring, cause he still got more rings than most of your favorite superstars even if they giving you 20-10 , 30-10, MVP of this or that, Rob still got more rings. It would be different if he didn’t have a part in getting those rings, but he did (a very big part). I still say Rob is in though.
I am laughing at dudes that be wanting like the perfect player though to make the Hall. He got to bring 30-15 to every game and have 5 somewhere else (assist, blocks or something). He had to win at least 3 college championships, 1 gold medal and Nick Kids Choice Award. He had to win at least 2 NBA championships, and been an MVP, hit 30 clutch shots per year and play injured every other game. He had to play in Toronto at least 3 years and be loyal and not take any money. He has to say he played hard every game and even in pre-season just kill dudes. He had to have a battle with ringworm and have his stats drop a little and then come back and feast on the leauge in what would be his most dominant year. He also must give to charity and never complain about any call in his whole career. Oh yea and he has to play with nothing but scrubs around him and once they start playing with him their stats go up just a tad so everyone will say he made them better. LOL ….. That is the guy most of these cats are looking for lol.
LOL ..You know someone would still find a way to even say that a dude like that shouldn’t be in the H.O.F.
(Insert your favorite player of this eras name here) ….Rob’s got more rings!
November 5th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Bron42 says:
Personally, the whole “he was open when he hit them” argument is kinda lame. Theres guy in the league right now who can’t hit a open 3 in a regular game, let alone in a playoff game with the pressure on AND more than once. What happen to the kings when doug christie and peja both had looks at open game winners? Both couldnt handle the pressure and choked when peja was one of the top 3 point shooters at the time. So Horry hitting isnt luck.
Like I said before, my standard for a superstar/hall of fame is someone who can raise their game when its crunch time. Sure robs like 8 ppg average isnt that hard to raise but the guy shows up when his team needs it. Hes not really riding coattails when those teams would of lost if he didnt hit that shot. And it wasnt just one team (ala kerr, who has a ring with the spurs but only showed up as a bull). We consider teams like the lakers and spurs dynastys, well they both would have one less ring if it wasnt for robert horry, so you cant say he was some fluke/coattail rider. Hes right up there with reggie mille rin playoff heroic and has 7 rings. so no way hes out if a guy is auto in just for being MVP. Stop makin it like horry is jud beuchler.
90% of the league could get buckets if they were just out gunning. but how many would save their team from elimination with only 1 shot, 1 chance, and do it on a regular basis?
November 5th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Austin Burton says:
Horry’s not Jud Beuchler, but he’s not Reggie Miller. That’s going too far.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Gee says:
You right Reggie has no rings lol. Horry could give out some and still have some dudes beat.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Bobby B says:
@ djKianoosh:
I’m not faulting Horry for being in the right place at the right time, and for hitting clutch shots when he’s wide open. However, I’m using it as an argument against people that call him the greatest clutch player ever. Coaches don’t give him the ball at the end of games, isolate him at the top of the key, and let him go to work. Yes, he’s hit some huge shots in the playoffs, but it’s not like he had to work hard to get open for most of them. If you’ve played any ball in your life, you know how easy it is to float to an open spot beyond the arc when the ball gets doubled in the post.
@ Gee:
Horry has never commanded the double team, so that hypothetical situation is a moot point. Horry has hit some clutch shots, but does that make him a clutch player? I think not.
People are arguing that he has 7 rings and he’s been a clutch playoff performer his entire career, therefore he deserves to be in the HOF. Is a career playoff 3-point percentage of 36.3% clutch? How about his career playoff average of 8.4 PPG? What about Horry going 2 for 38 from behind the arc in the 2003 playoffs? Is that clutch?
I think this is pretty clutch:
After sinking a buzzer-beater against Sacramento in the 2002 playoffs, Horry explained his philosophy. “If I hit it we win, if I miss y’all are going to blame the stars for losing the game anyway,” he told the Washington Post’s Michael Wilbon. “There’s no pressure on me.” Horry has none of the guts and gets all of the glory.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Gee says:
Back @ Bobby B
LOL EXACTLY pimpin! And that is the chance you take, just like all the teams that have been victim to him being “open” because he never “commanded” the double team. The question is do you want to him with the ball in the last seconds guarded or unguarded or whatever? I say no and apparently you don’t mind testin Rob. I still think you would be shook till you see the outcome after he puts the rock up.
As far as what makes a clutch player. That is all up to the person and yea to this person he is “Clutch” and comes from “Clutch City”!
LOL your question is funny though you wrote: “Horry has hit some clutch shots, but does that make him a clutch player?”
LOL didn’t you answer your own question???
November 5th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Bron42 says:
Austin I’m not saying he was reggie millers career but when it comes to hitting buzzer beaters in the playoffs, the heroics are similar.
Bobby, How are you saying he has none of the guys when what he says is actually pretty straight to the point. Most guys wouldnt even say that. They’d take all the glory. Daniel boobie gibson had one hot game for the cavs last year and suddenly turned into boobie miles with all this “i been sayin for a long time they need to play me” junk. Robs pretty much just saying, I’m doin whats expected of me. Hes not sayin he should be makin kobe money. And if finding open spots and hitting game winners is so easy, then why arent many people known for it? Most people don’t even wanna take that shot. Look at what agent zero said about lebron how “he needs someone on his team who wants to take that big shot”. most guys from high school to pro, wouldnt wanna take a shot with the game on the line. Horry has made a career out of it, good enough that you overlook his 8ppg average.You have idiots with tons of potenial like gerald green who cant figure out how to do it, but your gonna hate on horry for makin a career out of it. Yes the guy made a career out of a few big jumps but at the same time, obviously its enough to put alot of big teams over the top or he wouldnt be gettin signed by contenders 24/7. Its not like the raptors are signing him for a max deal. Plus you cant hate cuz everyone and their mom knows if the game is tight, and he gets subbed in, people get worried. Is he hakeem,duncan,shaq? no but all 3 of those guys would be alil bit lighter on the hands if he wasnt just finding open spots on the court. Plus like i said, 7 rings and played a part in each one. Hes not darko who has a ring just for being on the team.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Bobby B says:
@ Gee:
I think we just have to agree to disagree. To me, a clutch player is somebody you want to have the ball at the end of a game. If your team is down by 1, do you want Horry isolated at the top of the key with the ball in his hands, and the clock winding down? Or, would you rather have MJ, or Bird, or Miller, or Kobe, or Arenas with the ball in their hands? Obviously, it would be nice to have Horry on the wing on a drive-and-kick, but can he create his own shot in the clutch? You think he’s a clutch player, I don’t; let’s just leave it at that. And, let me just reiterate: 2 for 38 from behind the arc in the 2003 playoffs.
@ Bron42:
You’re telling me it takes guts to take an open 3 when the game is on the line? When the clock is winding down and you get an open look at a 3, I don’t think you have much choice. And, no, I didn’t overlook his mediocre 8.4 PPG playoff average.
“And if finding open spots and hitting game winners is so easy, then why arent many people known for it?”
Well, the opportunity has to present itself. Horry has been quite fortunate to play with some superstars that command a double team on a regular basis. Thus, he doesn’t have to work all that hard to find an open spot beyond the arc. In addition, he’s played in close playoff games where there has been the opportunity to hit a game winner. He has played on playoff teams his entire career, he’s played with stars that command the double team, and he’s played in close playoff games. How many other players have had similar opportunities? Horry has a had a unique and very fortunate career.
“most guys from high school to pro, wouldnt wanna take a shot with the game on the line.”
Really?! That’s your opinion, and hardly a statement of fact. I’ve always wanted the ball when the game was on the line. When I was in high school, we had 3 players that wanted to take the big shot when the game was on the line. When I was in college, we had 4 solid players that would seize the opportunity to take the last shot. You’re telling me the majority of players in the NBA don’t have the cojones to take the last shot in a close game? You’re telling me that you grew up playing ball with guys that DIDN’T want the ball in their hands at the end of a game? Well, I feel sorry for you.
Finally, I’m not hating on Horry. I never said he was shit. I respect his 7 rings, I respect his game, and I respect the fact that he has hit some big shots in the playoffs. But, I’m not going to anoint him as one of the greatest clutch players ever, and I’m not going to ignore his mediocre playoff numbers. And, I’m certainly not going to say he’s worth of the HOF.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
sans says:
Out. This should not be suggested. And he did ride coattails his entire career, only going with great teams, to be their 7th option. His hip check was cheap, he only averaged 7 pts for his ENTIRE career. He has never even been the best forward on his team (Thorpe, Jones, Rice, Duncan, Bowen, Barkley(?–i do not know if they played together for sure)).
You know, John Salley got two worthless rings (4 altogether) when he didn’t play at all too. Even better, Dennis Rodman has 5, plus individual awards, lots of rebounds, and more points than Bill Walton. Then there’s Larry Nance, who was phenomenal from the mid-80s with Phx, and then in the early-90s with the Cavs, dunking on everybody. All of these players affected the game more than Robert Horry, and our more worthy of, but unlikely to ever get into, the HOF.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Bobby B says:
@ Bron42:
“Robs pretty much just saying, I’m doin whats expected of me.”
What exactly is expected of Horry? I think you’re missing the point of Horry’s quote: “If I hit it we win, if I miss y’all are going to blame the stars for losing the game anyway. There’s no pressure on me.” Essentially, Horry is saying the team really doesn’t expect much from him. If he makes the shot, great, they win. If he misses, it doesn’t matter, because they’re going to blame the stars. It doesn’t exactly sound like he wants the ball at the end of the games. It sounds more like: If I’m open and I get the ball, I’ll take the shot. It doesn’t really matter if I make the shot or not, because I won’t get blamed if we lose. No sweat off my back!
November 5th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Bron42 says:
who said ignore his playoff stats. if you read the posts i’m actually the one who mentioned his stats first. So like i said, his career stats are weak. And a player who can go one on one isn’t the only type of person who is clutch. Why isn’t shaq in at the end of games? cuz hes not a clutch foul shooter. Its not that u can’t iso for shaq, but you cant count on him to hit a foul shot. You can count on horry most of the time to hit a open 3. Thats why hes clutch. And dude, you have no reason to feel sorry for me. I was a state champ, played against nba guys, played D1 and work in the nba now as a strength coach. And if your gonna pretend EVERYONE wants to take a shot with the game on the line, knowing they can be the fall guy if they miss ala darius washington then your just lying to yourself. Like I said, agent zero even said it. If horry was such a joke and so weak overall, he wouldnt be on the floor in close games as a 7th man. Everyone knows, its not who starts games, its who finishes them. And in a close game, you want your situational effective guys. IF he wasnt CLUTCH he wouldnt have been on the floor against the pistons to hit his wide open (which he only was cuz he faked out rashee) to hit it. He’d be on the bench chillen. He wouldnt have been on the floor as the clock ran out against the spurs. So yes, his stas suck as a pro guys, but u cant ignore he has come up big, and has made a career out of it. you dont accidently find the right spot each time and hit the shot. Is he kobe where u can just clear out and let him take over? no but he is that guy u can count on for if kobe is cut off or double teamed, that he will hit the shot. And thats just as big, or else you end up like lebron, passing to guys who dont wanna shootin or chucking up some junk yourself.
Sans, your really saying horry got worthless rings? like i said, they wouldnt have the rings if he didnt hit the shot. Hes not john salley who is famous more for who he knows, than what he did. No horry, no repeat for the lakers, no second ring for the spurs. Hes not a superstar but he has earned his props.
p.s: rodman does deserve to be in.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
duaneo says:
“if your team is down by 1, do you want Horry isolated at the top of the key with the ball in his hands, and the clock winding down? Or, would you rather have MJ, or Bird, or Miller, or Kobe, or Arenas with the ball in their hands?”
If I’m down by 2 or 3, I want a guy to isolate, drive, and pass it back out to the wide open guy who I know can nail wide open threes.
If down by 1, I like your idea, superstar isolate etc etc. But to me, clutch shooting is about shooting, not driving, going for a layup/dunk getting fouled etc. That make sense?
This is a team game, its not about being able to go 1 on 1, drive, throw up some lame layup and have the refs call a foul, because hey if the guy fell down obviously someone hit him so it must be a foul!
If that’s all it was about, then Kobe would probably have a couple more rings.
I do not think Horry is the most clutch player of all time, but he is clutch, and definitely one of the better clutch players of his time.
Also to the people who said Horry just rides people’s coattails. That just kind of boggles my mind. He’s contributed to every team he’s been on. But I guess if you aren’t a superstar, than if you have a ring, its just because you rode someone else’s abilities. Hrm.
My call: In
November 5th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Bobby B says:
@ Bron42:
Alright dude, I can respect your basketball CV. But, you said you won a state championship, played D1, and against guys in the NBA. You can honestly say that “most” of the guys you played with DIDN’T want to take the game-winning shot? Sorry, but I find that very hard to believe. You’re playing at an elite level, winning championships to boot, and you have guys on your team that are scared of failure? If that was your personal experience, so be it; I can’t knock your success.
And, I’m not saying “EVERYONE” wants to take the last shot; I’m just speaking of my own personal playing experience. I’ve always played on teams that had at least 3 guys that WANTED the ball in the clutch. And, everyone else would be more than willing to take the last shot if the ball made it into their hands at the end of the game.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Gee says:
Bobby B says:
@ Gee:
I think we just have to agree to disagree.
Gee says: And I agree. LOL Let me just say again though 7 rings.
Oh yea and yes I would trust Horry with the ball at the end of the game. Even if he is not shooting I trust he had enough game I.Q. to know what to do. I also think he does have enough in him to create his own shot, get it off and yea do what he has been doing and that is hit the shot!
That is just Gee though! Did I say 7 rings???
IN
November 5th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Russ says:
All I know is people need to quit making the argument he has more rings than Mike. The ONLY reason that is true is because MJ was essentially retired for 2 years..or he would have 8…IN A ROW. Not to mention he played against better comp in the few years prior to that with teams like the Showtime Lakers, Bad Boys, and Boston Celtics with the big 3…or who knows how many he would’ve gotten. So PLEASE never EVER mention Robert Horry’s name in the same sentence as MJ.
Other than that..I gotta say out. 12ppg is your best season? He hasn’t averaged double figures ever since! I’m not even sure the last year he was even a starter consistently. He was never more than a 3rd option AT BEST on any team he was on. Doesn’t sound like HOF to me. 15ppg was the best he did in college. No titles. Never past the sweet 16 in 4 years. Dude hits some big threes to win games…but what else? Below average is every statistical category. Didn’t revolutionize the game in any way that I can tell.
Maybe down the road he will be further appreciated..but right now I can’t see it.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
AY says:
In terms of overall impact to the nba championship over the past 10 years, and you have to look at playoffs not regular season, he’s in.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Great arguments, but he’s still out. lol
Myrie, I agree with your argument against Steve Kerr
which mirrors the argument against Rob Horry. He came in a tall, athletic small forward cuz the Rockets were rollin Buck Johnson before him and he was a lottery pick, then he moved to the 4 spot but his resume is devoid of anything that would show him as an above average power forward. Defensively weak, no post up game, can’t create his own shots, doesn’t rebound, hangs on the perimeter. I won’t even talk about his help-side defense cuz Ben Wallace was a great help defender playin with Sheed and Tayshaun, now where is he? Like I said before, no one wants to talk about horry’s career in Phoenix without hall of fame teammates.
No hate on Horry, I hope he gets in just for gettin my Lakers a title, but I can’t see it, cuz he’s been too honest. Everyone knows that he coasts during the season, while the stars do the heavy lifting til it’s time to shine. That 82 game sched is where stars are tested. You do it in the playoffs, then you’re a legend.
He’s got a great attitude and he’s gonna probably get more rings if he stays in S.A., but I don’t think the voters can look past those 10th man stats.
By the way, anybody check SI’s NBA preview where they predict Paul Pierce and Nash as 1st team All-NBA guards and Parker and Wade as second team. How out of touch are you to not have Kobe on either team and I’m not even gonna mention Deron and Gil
This was entertaining, DIME
November 5th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Triple Threat says:
Wow Russ, Big Shot Bob must have hit some big shots against your teams. Its all good, Big Shot Bob has that affect on people, I always went against the teams he was won, for no reason really, I just never liked the teams he was on. Anyway, The guy is cold in clutch time, yeah he takes wide open shots to ice the game, but can anyone on here do that in their YMCA or city league teams? Probably not.
everyone on here watched what Horry could do, he never shows up in the Regular season, but when the lights get brighter he’s doing what it takes to win chips. 7 rings and counting. My vote “IN”
November 5th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Bron42 says:
next up, rasheed or ben wallace thank you very much
November 6th, 2007 at 2:56 am
Coldchain says:
The way Ben Wallace is playing right now, he needs to worry about getting his starting spot snatched, not the Hall of Fame.
Like I said before, you have to do A LOT to be a role player and get into the HOF. The closest example to Rob Horry is K.C. Jones — average stats, a bunch of rings, played with great teams (Celtics), and a specialist (defense/PG). Jones won 8 NBA rings, 2 college rings and a gold medal. Horry has 7 NBA rings and never got picked for a international team.
When was Horry ever the best at anything rr even 2nd or 3rd best? His best skill is hitting clutch shots, but would you really rather have him taking it or would you want Kobe, Pierce, Wade, even Iverson? Those guys can hit daggers when they’re guarded. Horry’s usually wide open because the D is busy worrying about someone else (Kobe, Manu, Hakeem, etc.) on his team. So if you’re depending on Horry to hit a clutch shot but someone ends up in his face, he’s not gonna score.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:54 am
knoc says:
It is true that no opposing team made adjustments to Horry pregame but that came to bite them in the ass during clutch.
Id say in just because.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:15 am
rr says:
F´crazy. You call Dirk out for not being clutch enough and calling Horry out coz clutch-enough is not enough overall.
I understand that a HOF-Player needs both of it. Just can´t get over you calling dirk out.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Big10 says:
Who’s the fool who said Horry plays weak defense??? His defense and long arms are a big part of why coaches want him on the floor….it was never ONLY about his clutch jumpers. I’ve been a Rockets’ fan for a long time (had season tickets for most of the 1990s), and I remember when Horry D’ed up against Malone and Barkley IN THEIR PRIME, to help the Rockets get their championships. Plus, notice that even with decreasing regular-season minutes, Horry is STILL averaging a steal and a block every game for 16 freakin’ seasons in the NBA! He plays D when he’s in the game, and defense wins championships, boys.
I said it at post #25 and I’ll say it again — when a coach wants to win a championship and has to pick 5 guys to be on the floor during crunch time, regular-season stats and awards and salaries don’t matter. Shaq’s a.s.s. is on the bench because he clangs it on the free-throw line. Horry is in the game because he’ll do all the little things to help get you a ring.
Ask Barkley or Malone if they’d give up some of their awards for just one of the rings that won’t fit on Horry’s right hand.
IN! IN! IN! IN! IN! IN! IN! One for every ring. LOL.
P.S. — Rodman should be in, too.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Austin Burton says:
Yeah, but if Shaq’s not on your team in quarters 1-3, are you even in position for Horry to hit a clutch shot at the end?
November 6th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Toma says:
Allow me to simplify it. Hall of FAME implies just that, you have to have done enough in your career to warrant the term ‘famos’. Is Robert Horry famous?? Hell yeah! You will be telling your kids about him in 20 years. you’ll bring his name up everytime someone discusses the greatest clutch players ever. His name will be mentioned everytime someone gets 4 or more rings in the future. Forget the man’s numbers, he will forever be more famous than the majority of the people he’s played with. Logic prevailing, fame warrants the ‘HALL OF FAME’.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Bron42 says:
like i said, its not who starts the game, its who finishes. And horry has been on the floor plenty of times in crunch time on contenders because coaches know what he brings to the table. So obviously hes not just some bum. Would I want him takin a shot over kobe, wade etc..? no, well I’d rather him take it than dirk, but I’d have him on the court because I know if we get him some space he can hit it. So say people guard kobe, I can rely on horry. CAn’t say that about most guys. The guys stats are low but he steps up in the crunch, plain and simple. IF he was a total waste like people keep trying to make, he woudlnt be getting signed by contenders. He’d be goin to some bad team just for$$..instead hes helpin the spurs get another ring. IQ and clutch shooting are gonna overlook his stats.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:13 am
rr says:
Nobody will be telling his kids about Horry being a clutch-shooter in 20 years. They´ll say: Look at him, he´s the dude not playing the entire season and STILL won 7 Rings (or 8, 9 as far as he sticks with SA)…
Nobody´ll remeber him for his shots, just because he´s not one of the greatest of all time in all or at least some aspects of the game. And that was the whole idea behind the HALL OF FAME.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Sacto J says:
Sorry, but Horry is a role playing, coat-tail riding, luckiest guy in the NBA ever. You would never build a team around him, abd he shouldn’t even be the 3rd or 4th guy you’d pick if you were building a team, but his lamprey-like ability to latch on to teams that are about to win chips is quite possibly the strangest thing ever. On that basis alone, he should probably get in.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Ian says:
SACTO J
u said everything thats needed to be said about horry
lazy and lucky
btw in a spurs fan
hes OUT
and lol to the guy whoi said that hes the most clutch ever and that he doesnt ride coat tail LOL
November 6th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Ian says:
russ
dont use that crap IF jordan didnt retire he would win 8
no the rockets get at least one
jordan never played a great center in the finals
November 6th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Ian says:
bron is not who starts but who finishes LOL u r da best
without shaq those 3 quarters u lose by 50
November 6th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Ian says:
lets do duncan tomorrow
November 6th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Dave says:
Horry is OUT!
I’m always surprised to see that his HOF candidacy evokes such debate. I salute him for having the stones for hitting some very clutch shots, but that — along with having seven rings — is not even close enough to get him in the Hall.
Horry was not the first, second, third or forth most important reason why his teams won any of those rings. He just made the most of his shot opportunities, and had the good fortune to be on excellent teams. That’s it.
The Hall is not for very average players who happen to hit a few big shots for the right teams — it is for dominant players who have demonstrated excellence in comparison to their peers over long careers.
The MVP has already been fatally devalued. Let’s not do the same to the HOF.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
McGrady says:
F*** it off!!!! He’s a winner, he is IN!
There’s no one like him, with his career.
I prefer him rather than other “20p-Loser-Guy” such as Joe Johnson, Michael Redd – although I love his shooting strokes – and so on.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
ldawg23 says:
Horry played with the best players at that time when he won. Hakeem!!! Are you telling me if Hakeem kid the ball out to a wide open Cassell, or Kenny (Original Jet) they wouldn’t hit that shot. Or if the ball had been tipped out to Brian Shaw against the Kings, he wouldn’t have it that shot. Or TD kicks out the ball and it gets swung around to Barry or Finley they wouldn’t hit it???? PLEASE…Don’t reward a guy for doing his job, and nothing more…Does your boss give you a pay raise for coming to work everyday, and doing nothing special???I DON’T THINK SO..OUT
November 6th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Russ says:
Ian,
I don’t know too many people that would bet against MJ those 2 years. Maybe he never played a great center in the finals…but he beat one in the playoffs on more than one occasion(pat ewing). The Rockets won the first against essentially the same knicks team in 7 games the bulls beat 4 straight games the year before in the eastern confernece finals. Not to mention they knicks shouldn’t have even been there since they shoulda lost game 6(and therefore the series) to the bulls(without MJ) 2 rounds earlier. They only reason they won was because of that horrible hue hollins foul call on pippen. John Starks going 2-18 didn’t hurt either.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Ian says:
im not saying for sure houston wins or the spurs in 99 or that matter but dont say that mj wins for sure
November 7th, 2007 at 7:26 am
habeeb says:
Robert Horry in the HOF? This has got to be a joke. There’s simply no way in hell he deserves to be in.
7 rings = HUGE FREELOADER
November 7th, 2007 at 7:28 am
habeeb says:
and one more thing… how can a guy who doesn’t deserve to be an All Start even get into the discussion about going to the Hall of Fame?
November 7th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Gregg says:
he gets buckets son!
7 rings,
clutch shots,
memorable playoff performances.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:23 am
DOC says:
and mike beat shaq, and he woulda bust keem and them ass too. Horry hit a couple shots but we not gonna act like he hit a buzzer beater every year he hit like 3 and hes a dickrider when he played for the suns he wasnt shit out.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:24 am
EZE says:
out – robert horry is a joke. worthless. H.O.F?!!! you shouldn’t even mention that in the same sentence with robert horry. he’s ridiculous and you’ve already mentioned why:
his regular season are not only pedestrian, they are horrid. no all star appearances?! 7 rings = luck of the business. being at the right place at the right time….just like his “big shots”. Hall of Fame considerations should be a CONSISTENT, great player throughout his whole career. 7.2pts, 4.9 rebs….for a forward!!! Look at the timing people!! he gets drafted when Hakeem is in his prime, Drexler joins and Michael Jordan temporarily retires. He doesn’t win any championships when Jordan comes back. Then he finds himself in LA with Kobe and Shaq to carry the load of 3 championships and he makes a few big shots in the playoffs. Shaq leaves, Horry is suddenly finding himself on a team with the greatest “boring” big man of our time – Duncan.
I will say this: Horry has done nothing to merit HOF credentials other than getting the luck of being drafted and traded to the right teams at the right time. I would say he is the luckiest parasite in the NBA. Barkley never won a championship (though he should have at least 3 or Horry’s)….and you want to compare a HOF’er like him to a piece of sh*t like Horry?
oh yeah…and Horry knocked up one of Calvin Murphy’s daughters behind his back…hahahaha!
November 7th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Toma says:
So based on so many of the above comments ie he has never done anything to warrant HOF, this is to say that being perhaps the best role player one could possibly be is not enough??! This is to say the the HOF is only about stardom, not about perfection? The man has always done what he was supposed to do when he was supposed to do it. The only difference between him and other HOF’s is numbers. Even then, someone like Karl Malone who is as hopeless as dogsballs makes the hall because of numbers, but Horry, a highly reliable player in every sense does not. All those who can not accept why he is deserving are representative of the poor state of basketball (mentally) today.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Ian says:
karl malone the most overrated player ever
November 8th, 2007 at 11:51 am
nikko says:
I can’t believe you guys even put this guy in the conversation! You have pretty much devalued this whole HOF watch thing. I say tomorrow we do Scott Williams,he won three championships his first three years with the bulls. The reason Horry made those shots was he wasn’t good enough to be guarded yet alone double teamed like HOFers do. John Paxson was just as clutch as this guy. This guy never created his own shots he made shots that he was suppose to make. I’ll give it to him, he wasn’t a choker. This guy never even cracked the top of his position at any one time of his career. I mean think about it, of all the playoff series how many times would you have said that Horry was better than the opposing teams Starting power forward? Horry probably wasn’t the best in his own team a lot of times. Dime, I don’t ever wanna see cheap controversy like this ever again.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
sirak says:
From an objective point of view – it is called the hall of FAME. One definition of fame I read is “widespread reputation, esp. of a favorable character; renown; public eminence”. It is not called “The Hall of All-Stars” or “Hall of MVPs” or “Hall of Point Scorers” etc. Is Horry famous for what he has done or achieved in basketball? I’d say yes. Also, he has been on very good teams – what if he was on lottery teams? Would he have lifted his scoring, rebounding and blocks? Probably. To all-star level? Maybe not. He never had to be “the man” on any team. One of the best role players to ever grace the modern day game? I think so.
If I’m to judge his inclusion based on this, I’d say IN.
November 9th, 2007 at 8:21 am
habeeb says:
i really can’t believe all the people who say Horry should be IN. In my opinion, this is completely ridiculous and a complete joke. I honestly don’t even see how this is debatable. Horry is simply not that good of a player. He has hit many clutch shots, but even if he had hit twice as many game winners, he still doesn’t deserve to be in.
I mean, what’s next? Rewarding bench players on championship teams who rooted really hard?
Simply put, the Hall of Fame is not for role players.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Dr. Grizz says:
IN
1. Everyone keeps claiming he hits the big shots only because he’s open. Well you don’t just get left open especially when you’re “Big Shot Bob”. He has to work to get open. And just because you’re open doesn’t gaurentee its going in. How many games have you watched where on the last play of the game the star or team shooter had a good look but it rimmed out, clang the rim, or even airballed. Horry is G-Money when it counts.
2. Games are won and lost in the 4th quarter. Sure teams may not make adjustments for Horry at the jump ball or even after halftime. But when the final minute is at hand any coach that wants to keep his job better sure as Sh*@ have a plan to make sure he doesn’t put a dagger in your eye.
3.
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:12 am
greg says:
i think horry have to be in,
i’m fed with superstars earning all the glory for there win’s…
some of you saying that horry was lucky to be in “winning teams”…
how many of them would have won a championship without horry?
don’t you think that olajuwon , bryant and oneal, duncan, were also very lucky to have such a guy in there team?
how many rings horry have won for his team in the last second?
yes, stats are not amazing, but stat are not something you have to be obsess with…looks european team…
and look who have a (real) world championship right now…
do you think that any of the spanish guys have stats like anthony, james, wade?
no, of course, do you think that for this reason there worst players than american allstars?in fact you know..hard to admit but… they are better, they won..not usa…
that’s simple as that…
horry won seven…barcley and wilkins are in with good stats, and no championship that’s ok with me…
but horry….had 7, may be 8 one of this days…
count him in!!!!!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
skuter says:
Anyone who states Horry should be anywhere near Springfield,MA needs their head examined. The BBHOF is for individuals who brought it every night, from opening night thru the Finals. When persons like Adrian Dantley, JoJo White, the late Dennis Johnson, Artis Gilmore, and Bernard King have not been inducted, HORRY WILL NEVER MAKE IT THERE(and that cheap shot against Nash will hurt him also)! It’s not the Hall of Rings. He has simply been in the right place at the right time. If you think I’m wrong,visit the BBHOF website. Horry deserves credit, but don’t get carried away. Dominique Wilkins was unjustly denied for years. Do you know how hard it is to consistantly put up numbers year after year in the league when you are constantly double(or triple) teamed? I guarantee if you took a poll of sportswriters, players, and GM’s today the answer would be a resounding NO! Horry has bounced from team to team because he has never lived up to his potential(the Rockets traded him twice because of this;they had to take him back once because of Sean Elliott’s kidneys). The only HOF he is guaranteed to make is in Alabama(and rightfully so). There is a reason why every person that has been voted NBA MVP is in the BBHOF. Once again, Horry has his rings, BUT DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THAT ALONE.