Blackjack
07-06-2009, 01:02 PM
Chasing the Ghost of Robert Horry
The Spurs pursuit, or near pursuit, of Rasheed Wallace was granted Golden Calf status by many team followers, such as myself. Wallace was a good fit, especially because of his ability to defend the block and space the floor.
What we wanted in Rasheed Wallace the Spurs once had in Robert Horry. It’s what the Spurs have looked for in Danny Ferry, Matt Bonner, Anthony Tolliver, James Gist, Austin Croshere and, now, Marcus Haislip. As it turns out, even the twilight years version of Robert Horry is more difficult to replace than any of us imagined.
When the Spurs elected to part ways with Horry, the time had come. They made the right move. During his last year of play, he was a shell of the player he’d been during his penultimate season, another season of noticeable decline. Decline gives way to desertion, and Robert Horry’s game was forsaken by the ravages of age. For all its clever difference, it too went by that very common door.
What is lost in the mythology of Big Shot Rob is what the Spurs currently lack. Above everything else, Robert Horry was an intelligent player. He knew the system. He not only made his defensive rotations, he understood them. He displayed the how and the why. His steadfast commitment to defense was a commitment to the team. And when he spaced the floor, he spaced it with purpose.
I seldom think about his big shots. What I remember about Robert Horry is his willingness to bust ass and seal the baseline. I remember the way he swarmed the pivot whenever Tim Duncan needed help on the block. And, yes, I happily remember the bump heard around the world, the one that crashed Steve Nash into the scorer’s table. The fallout was unfortunate–and I mean that sincerely–but that sort of grit helps to win championships. The more Robert Horry lost himself within the system, the better player he became.
I’m optimistic the Spurs will find a player to approximate Robert Horry’s skill set. But what I want more than anything is a player who understands why his skill set is so vital to the team. I want a player who would kill himself to plug that baseline funnel.
If I wrote an open letter to the Marcus Haislips of Spurs universe it would say this: Get Smart. Commit yourself to the system. Commit yourself to defense. Leave the big shots for the other guys. Good luck.
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/07/06/chasing-the-ghost-of-robert-horry/#more-3519
The Spurs pursuit, or near pursuit, of Rasheed Wallace was granted Golden Calf status by many team followers, such as myself. Wallace was a good fit, especially because of his ability to defend the block and space the floor.
What we wanted in Rasheed Wallace the Spurs once had in Robert Horry. It’s what the Spurs have looked for in Danny Ferry, Matt Bonner, Anthony Tolliver, James Gist, Austin Croshere and, now, Marcus Haislip. As it turns out, even the twilight years version of Robert Horry is more difficult to replace than any of us imagined.
When the Spurs elected to part ways with Horry, the time had come. They made the right move. During his last year of play, he was a shell of the player he’d been during his penultimate season, another season of noticeable decline. Decline gives way to desertion, and Robert Horry’s game was forsaken by the ravages of age. For all its clever difference, it too went by that very common door.
What is lost in the mythology of Big Shot Rob is what the Spurs currently lack. Above everything else, Robert Horry was an intelligent player. He knew the system. He not only made his defensive rotations, he understood them. He displayed the how and the why. His steadfast commitment to defense was a commitment to the team. And when he spaced the floor, he spaced it with purpose.
I seldom think about his big shots. What I remember about Robert Horry is his willingness to bust ass and seal the baseline. I remember the way he swarmed the pivot whenever Tim Duncan needed help on the block. And, yes, I happily remember the bump heard around the world, the one that crashed Steve Nash into the scorer’s table. The fallout was unfortunate–and I mean that sincerely–but that sort of grit helps to win championships. The more Robert Horry lost himself within the system, the better player he became.
I’m optimistic the Spurs will find a player to approximate Robert Horry’s skill set. But what I want more than anything is a player who understands why his skill set is so vital to the team. I want a player who would kill himself to plug that baseline funnel.
If I wrote an open letter to the Marcus Haislips of Spurs universe it would say this: Get Smart. Commit yourself to the system. Commit yourself to defense. Leave the big shots for the other guys. Good luck.
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/07/06/chasing-the-ghost-of-robert-horry/#more-3519