Robert Horry Thinks He Belongs in the Hall of Fame

[temujin]

Whether he deserves to be in the HOF or not, let me say this in defense of Horry. His strength... his specialty... was much more than hitting game winning shots. There are often certain moments that can change the outcome of a game. It might be a matter of stopping a catch-up run, turning the momentum in your team's favor, silencing the crowd, taking away the opponents' will, or giving hope to your own teammates and getting them back into the game. But a lot of games turn on just a couple of plays, and everyone in the arena can feel it when those things happen. A block or a steal on one end, and a 3-pointer on the other, maybe draw a cheap offensive foul, and suddenly the whole game feels different. Robert Horry always had an uncanny sense for those moments.

People used to say that he shifted gears in March. But he shifted gears in individual games - just when it would do the most damage to the opposing teams. Game-winning shots always make the highlight reels. But what a lot of reporters (and fans) tend to forget, is how often Robert Horry was the reason that the game was close enough to win with a buzzer-beater. Or how often he kept the other team from making a game close enough for them to possibly win with a buzzer-beater of their own.

I have a mental image of Horry scoring a basket, and then shambling down the court slowly - and suddenly turning to steal the in-bounds pass and dunk it. I've watched him do it a dozen times or more (probably many more) and it always demoralized the other team. He could turn a 10 point lead into a 5 point lead in a couple of seconds, and make the other team start pressing to make their own shots.

The last-second shots were just one aspect of Horry's real talent - he knew how to cut the heart out of the other team. He knew just when to do something special - but he also had the ability to actually make it happen. If it were only a few times, it might be luck. But he did it repeatedly, over the course of his whole career. That's one of a basketball skill.

And yes, it did translate into championships. Houston probably wouldn't have won either of those rings without Horry. (I watched A LOT of Rockets games in those days.) For instance, in the 1995 Finals, the Rockets won 120-118 in overtime. People remember that Nick Anderson missed 4 free throws, and that Kenny Smith made the late 3-pointer to take the game to OT. But they forget that the Magic jumped out to a 20-point lead in the first half, and that it was Robert Horry's 5 blocks and 3 steals that shut down Orlando's momentum long enough for his team to climb back into the game. Without him, Smith's shot at the end would have been moot. Of course, it didn't hurt that he nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to open up the overtime. That game killed the Magic, and the series was basically over as soon as it started.

If there's not a special place in the HOF for Horry, maybe there should be. It's sort of like when Bill Bates played for the Cowboys. He made such a difference on special teams, that the NFL actually added a spot in the Pro Bowl for a special teams guy. Bates got inducted into the "Madden Hall of Fame", because Madden recognized how a guy like that could change the outcome of a game. He will probably never be in the official NFL Hall of Fame, but Madden understands just how valuable Bates was to those Superbowl teams. If there was a Madden Hall of Fame for basketball, Horry would definitely be in it.

Verbose, but absolutely right.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Don't care about stats, it's not the Hall of Stars, neither the Hall of Stats like others have already said, it's the place where players with remarkable careers are honoured. Robert Horry has deffinitely had a remarkable career, in fact, one of the most remarkable ones.

[ambchang]

I can't think of any significant contribution of basketball that Horry had for basketball, maybe he was one of the first oversized 3-pt shooting SF, but that is really stretching it.

Point is, a player's contribution should not only be a few shots, it should be a whole body of work. Outside of his all-rookie 2nd team selection, Horry never had any other individual accolades. No All-star selections, no all-nba selections, all-D teams, MVPs, playoff MVPs, DPoY, 6MoY, nothing.

Finally, look at his stint with the Suns, didn't make them much better without Hakeem, Shaq or Duncan, did he? He was pretty much a perfect compliment next to a dominant low post player because of his versatility. He can shoot, he plays good one on one and team defense, he positions himself well on offense and defense, but ultimately, he is a role player who benefitted from playing on great teams.

He's a catalyst.

[SenorSpur]

And for the record, KC Jones should not be in the HOF as a player. Dennis Rodman still isn't in the HOF. Horry shouldn't be either.

I believe HOF voters DO look at stats because they serve as a gauge on how productive a player has been from game-to-game, season-to-season. From that standpoint, Rodman is a more decorated role player than Horry.

The fact is that Rodman's individual accomplishments & stats (7.3 ppg, 13 rpg. 1.8 apg) are more impressive than Horry's (7.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg). Furthermore, Rodman led the NBA in rebounding 7 straight seasons, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, and 3-time NBA champion.

I love Horry and would not take anything away from his career and his reputation as being a clutch performer. He was as versatile, brilliant, and as clutch of a player, as there has ever been in the NBA. That said, I just don't think that reputation alone gets him in the HOF. Meanwhile, Rodman's overall body of work would warrant stronger consideration. Therefore, I tend to agree with you. If Rodman doesn't get in, neither should Horry.

Lastly, I've never been a fan of anyone who campaigns for accolades. Horry's career speaks for itself. He doesn't need to.

[Agloco]

He'll have an exhibit in the HOF, but you'll only be able to view it in May and June.

+1

I love this idea. Like a secret room which only opens once the playoffs start and closes once they end.

[poop]

if i were putting a team together id have horry on the reserves in front of maybe half the guys on that top 50 list.

he can do literally anything for your team. he just wins.

[sananspursfan21]

he does belong in the hall of fame

[Yuixafun]

With Robert Horry it always felt like you had an ace in your pocket.

I hope the shrine has a place for him.