Robert Horry

Big Shot Rob

via Wikipedia: Robert Horry · see source

Robert Keith Horry (ORR-ee; born August 25, 1970) is an American sports commentator and former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. Nicknamed "Big Shot Rob", Horry was a member of seven NBA championship winning teams over his 16-year career and is regarded as one of the most clutch shooters in NBA history.

Quick Facts

Born: 25 August 1970
Birthplace: Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
High school: Andalusia (Andalusia, Alabama)
College: Alabama (1988–1992)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 11
Drafted by: Houston Rockets
Career position: Power forward; small forward

Lore & Background

Horry was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on January 10, 1997, along with Joe Kleine, for Cedric Ceballos and Rumeal Robinson. Because the Lakers had retired jersey number 25 to honor Gail Goodrich, Horry wore the number 5. On May 6, 1997, he hit seven three-point shots in a row, setting the NBA playoff record for most three-point shots without a miss. During the 1999–2000 season, Horry played behind A.C. Green, but frequently played more minutes off the bench than the starters, especially during the playoffs.

In the 2000 Finals against the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers won in six games; Horry averaged 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game throughout the 2000 playoffs. In the 2000–01 season, Horry played behind Horace Grant, but once again played big minutes in the playoffs. In the 2001 Finals, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in five games; Horry said this victory was the second-proudest of his career, after the 1995 NBA Finals. In the 2001–02 season, he was the backup power forward to Samaki Walker, starting just 23 games.

In the playoffs, Horry started 14 of the Lakers' 19 games, playing an average of 37 minutes a game with averages of 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. In Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings, Horry hit a three-pointer as time expired to win the game 100–99. The Lakers won the series in 7 games and swept the New Jersey Nets 4–0 in the NBA Finals to complete a three-peat. On March 5, 2003, Horry hit a game-winning shot against the Indiana Pacers.

In the 2003 playoffs, the Lakers were eliminated in six games in the Western Conference Semifinals; Horry was 0-18 from the three-point line during the series.

Reader's Guide

Robert Horry played for the Los Angeles Lakers from January 10, 1997, until the end of the 2002–03 season. He wore number 5 with the Lakers. He won three NBA championships with the Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002).