Tag: robert horry

Which other former Lakers players does Michael Cooper think belong in the Hall of Fame?

Do you think the former Lakers players Michael Cooper named deserve to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame?

Former Los Angeles Lakers swingman Michael Cooper just received the honor of a lifetime when he was voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

It was a long time coming, as he retired from the NBA in 1990 after a 12-season career. During his career, he was an integral 3-and-D role player for the Showtime Lakers who helped them win five world championships. He was named to eight All-Defensive teams and won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 1986-87 season.

As a result, Cooper will have his jersey retired by the franchise this coming season.

It begs the question of which other former Lakers players may deserve to get into the Hall of Fame as well.

Cooper named three he feels have earned that right while speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Radio.

“I think Byron Scott, Norm Nixon should definitely be in there, hopefully they will be considered there in the future,” Cooper said. “Robert Horry, one of the players. You know what, I found out that the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame isn’t about what you done on the court most of the time; it is, but it’s your contribution to the game. Giving back to the game in any form or fashion.”

Scott and Nixon were also important members of those 1980s Lakers squads. Nixon started alongside Magic Johnson in the backcourt for four seasons starting with the 1979-80 campaign, and he was then traded for the draft rights to Scott, who proved to be an ideal complement to Johnson at the shooting guard spot.

Horry, of course, made a living by hitting clutch and game-winning shots. He came to L.A. during the 1996-97 season and played for it until 2003, and he was best known for the buzzer-beating 3-pointer he hit in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings.

It is an open debate whether role and complementary players belong in the Hall of Fame. But if they deserve to be eligible, a strong case could be made for Scott, Nixon and Horry based on their contributions to several Lakers teams that won it all.

Robert Horry wants 2002 game-winner versus Kings to be played at his funeral

Robert Horry made a unique request regarding his most famous game-winning shot.

While the Los Angeles Lakers won three straight NBA championships in the early 2000s, they weren’t exactly a consistently dominant team. In fact, they danced with defeat multiple times during that run.

In the 2000 Western Conference finals, they trailed the Portland Trail Blazers by 15 points early in the fourth quarter of Game 7. They hadn’t won it all yet at that point, and it looked like they had fallen apart under pressure yet again. It took a historic and thrilling comeback to send them to the NBA Finals, where they finally triumphed.

Two years later, they trailed the Sacramento Kings two games to one in the West finals. They were down by 24 points early in the second quarter of Game 4, and despite another comeback, they found themselves down by six with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter and by two with 11.8 seconds remaining.

Then came Robert Horry’s most famous game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer that won the game and tied the series.

While on the “NBA Finals File” podcast, Horry made a unique request having to do with that dagger (h/t Silver Screen and Roll).

“I’ve made a lot of big shots. That shot is the only shot where you just mention it, I get goosebumps because, to me, making that shot was like the birth of one of my kids. That’s how special it is to me because I grew up a big Laker fan, I grew up a big Magic Johnson fan. To be able to knock down that shot, in Staples and have the fans chant my name, it is the greatest feeling…When I go to meet my maker, I want that video played at my funeral. It’s the best moment of my basketball career.”

After that shot, Los Angeles lost Game 5 in Sacramento, but it responded by winning Game 6 at home and a very memorable and exciting Game 7 up north, allowing it to claim its third straight world title.

The Kings and their fans cried foul, but the franchise never quite recovered, and to this day, the city still isn’t over that series.

Deal with it, Sacramento. Horry’s shot will live on longer than his physical body, or the physical bodies of the rest of us.

Rudy Tomjanovich stumps for Robert Horry as Hall of Famer

Rudy Tomjanovich on Robert Horry: “I really believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame. He’s made so many teams champions playing a role, and that’s so important.”

Going by statistics, Robert Horry isn’t close to the usual numbers of a power forward in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

But he was, in many ways, a star in his more limited role. That’s evidenced by his seven career NBA championships, including two with the Houston Rockets in 1993-94 and 1994-95. Many became possible thanks to Horry’s versatile defense and clutch shotmaking.

So, when Rockets legend Rudy Tomjanovich received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achivement Award at Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals, Horry’s former coach put in a good word for him.

Here’s what “Rudy T” had to say of Horry:

I really believe [Horry] belongs in the Naismith Hall of Fame. He’s proven it time and time again. He’s made so many teams champions playing a role, and that’s so important. It isn’t about just the stats. It’s about getting results. I pray that one day he’s going to be able to stand up there and accept that honor.

The complete Tomjanovich commentary can be viewed below.

As for Horry, after winning his two Houston titles, he went on to win three with the Los Angeles Lakers and two more with the San Antonio Spurs. He retired from the NBA after the 2007-08 season.

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Robert Horry’s son Christian Horry commits to UCLA as walk-on

Harvard-Westlake guard Christian Horry, son of former Laker Robert Horry, announced he will continue playing basketball at UCLA.

A key player on one of the consistently great teams in the nation, Christian Horry of Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) has been in the eye of recruiters and analysts all season. He announced on social media platform X last week that he’s made his collegiate decision, and it’s to a region that knows his family very well.

Horry, son of former Los Angeles Lakers player Robert Horry, accepted an offer from UCLA to join the team as a walk-on, according to the Los Angeles Times. The class of 2024 shooting guard posted to X “Thank you to Coach Savino and everyone on the UCLA staff for believing in me and helping me reach my dreams.”

This season, Horry is averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game while shooting 42% from 3 for Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), according to 247Sports. The recruiting outlet wrote that Horry is a 3-and-D style player who is “a very good three-point shooter while playing tough, hard-nosed defense,” while LA Times reporter Ben Bolch wrote Horry “might be capable of making an impact given his toughness and defensive determination” as a walk-on.

Robert posted a congratulations to his son on X, saying, “One dream accomplished, many more to go:”

Horry adds to UCLA’s class of 2024, which includes four-star guard Eric Freeny. The Bruins are currently 14-11 and have won six games in a row.

Robert Horry tells the story of Dennis Rodman getting kicked out of practice

Former Lakers forward Robert Horry recalled a time when then-teammate Dennis Rodman drove head coach Kurt Rambis to his wits’ end.

During the abbreviated 1999 season, the Los Angeles Lakers had Shaquille O’Neal, then the most dominant player in the NBA, and a young, budding superstar named Kobe Bryant. Yet despite their natural talent, they hadn’t come close to winning a world championship.

That year, they needed a power forward, and management believed bringing Dennis Rodman out of mothballs was the solution.

Rodman had recently retired once the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls dynasty ended. He was one of basketball’s greatest defensive players ever and arguably the sport’s greatest rebounder, but he was a mystery wrapped in an enigma. No one, not even Bulls head coach Phil Jackson, had figured out how to fully keep him in check.

With the Lakers, Rodman made a positive impact at first, but his excessive partying and eccentricities started to hurt the team. He often showed up late to practice, yet one of the few times he arrived on time, he still found a way to irritate head coach Kurt Rambis.

Teammate Robert Horry recalled on the “Uninterrupted Podcast” how Rodman drove Rambis to his wits’ end.

“The first time Rodman ever made it to practice on time, he had no shoes because someone stole (his shoes),” Horry said. “He walked in there (with no shoes), and – we talked about having a day – Kurt Rambis had a bad day. He was like, ‘I’m sick of you (expletive). Get the (expletive) out.’”

After 23 games, Rodman was released by the Lakers. During that time, he averaged 11.2 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per contest.

They were swept that season by the San Antonio Spurs. Afterward, Jackson replaced Rambis as their head coach, and the rest was history. The Lakers ripped off three straight NBA titles and five over the next 11 seasons.

Robert Horry: The Lakers should retire Michael Cooper’s jersey

Former Laker Robert Horry advocated for Michael Cooper’s jersey to be retired by the franchise since he was a key part of the Showtime era.

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The Los Angeles Lakers have always treated their past stars very well and given them their flowers. They retired Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey in 2013, even though he left the team in 2004 on bad terms and regularly took shots at it and Kobe Bryant afterward.

Earlier this year, they raised Pau Gasol’s No. 16 to the wall of Crypto.com Arena once he was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Recently, owner Jeanie Buss said there is no doubt the organization will retire LeBron James’ jersey once he retires and gets inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Former Lakers role player and clutch shooter extraordinaire Robert Horry said if the franchise retires James’ jersey, it should do the same for Michael Cooper, who was a big part of its Showtime squads of the 1980s.

Via Fadeaway World:

“I base everything off Michael Cooper. You know, it is just so hard for me when you retire a guy’s number and you don’t retire Michael Cooper’s number. And it is just, to me, it don’t … nobody should go before him. You know, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, help win championships. He always guarded the people that Magic (Johnson) couldn’t.”

“It’s just so many things that, you know, and that goes to show you have people in the league and NBA and across. They don’t appreciate defense unless you’re Ben Wallace or Dennis Rodman. And I just think that if you retire LeBron’s jersey, you gotta retire Michael Cooper’s ‘cause he’s just a Laker legend to me.”

Traditionally, the Lakers have retired a player’s number if he reaches the Hall of Fame and played at an All-Star level while with them. Cooper may not have been an All-Star, but he was a multi-faceted role player throughout the 1980s. He played several positions, including backup point guard, was an exciting finisher at the rim, an outstanding 3-point shooter and one of the NBA’s best defensive players.

For his accomplishments in the NBA and contributions elsewhere, including as the head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, whom he led to back-to-back championships, Cooper has been nominated for the Hall of Fame multiple times. If he ever gets the nod to be inducted, perhaps his No. 21 jersey will be immortalized at Crypto.com Arena.

Robert Horry on Nick Van Exel’s Cancun chant in 1998

Former Lakers forward Robert Horry says Nick Van Exel’s “Cancun” rant in 1998 was more lighthearted than it seemed.

Before the Los Angeles Lakers started their dynasty in the decade of the 2000s, they endured some heart-wrenching playoff losses in the late 1990s.

In 1998, they were swept by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference finals just when they thought they were becoming the NBA’s next great team. Prior to Game 4, All-Star guard Nick Van Exel chanted the phrase “1, 2, 3 Cancun” during a team practice when they brought their hands in and were expected to give off a pro-Lakers chant.

Many have vilified Van Exel for that ever since. He was quickly jettisoned for marginal players Tony Battie and Tyronn Lue, which was all executive Jerry West could get for him.

But teammate Robert Horry said on an episode of the podcast “All The Smoke” that all Van Exel was trying to do was loosen up his team ahead of a do-or-die game.

“See, people don’t understand where that came from. The 1, 2, 3 Cancun came when we got swept by Utah, and people don’t understand it wasn’t meant to be negative. It was to try to loosen up. Nick was trying to loosen up the team, ’cause we was down 3-0. He said, ‘Man, let’s just go out here and play loose. If we don’t, we going to Cancun. On three, 1, 2, 3 Cancun. And everybody took it as Nick saying, ‘oh (expletive) this, the season’s over, right?’ He was trying to loosen guys up.”

Although Van Exel was an All-Star that season, the Lakers did well without him. When new head coach Phil Jackson arrived for the 1999-2000 season, they ran off three straight NBA championships and established the foundation for a dynasty.

7-time champ Robert Horry criticizes Sixers’ Joel Embiid’s shot selection

7-time NBA champion Robert Horry criticizes Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid’s shot selection in the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is one of the dominant players in the game. He led the league in scoring (33.1 points per game) while averaging 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He shot 54.8% from the floor. He was terrific on his way to winning the MVP award.

However, Embiid’s efficiency went down. He shot 43.1% from the floor in the postseason and just 42.1% from the floor in the second-round loss to the Boston Celtics. In Game 7 of that series, he shot 5-for-18. Granted, he was dealing with a sprained LCL in his right knee, but he seemed to settle for a lot of shots.

Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry hopped on the “All the Smoke” podcast, and he criticized Embiid’s shot selection against the Celtics:

If Joel Embiid would have just got more (expletive) buckets by taking his big ass in the paint, they could’ve won that series! But no. He wants to face up and shoot that little ugly fadeaway jumper. Al Horford is killing you because you’re playing in his world. Take him to your world. … You got to take him in your world. That’s why I said by taking your world and bigs trying to cross up little and face up a little, why are you facing a little up? Back his little ass down. I guess I’m too old school sometimes when I try to make the game simple, they make it hard.

Horry was teammates with the great Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers, so he knows a thing or two about dominant big men. Embiid has explained over and over again that the game is different than back in O’Neal’s day, and he’s absolutely right.

A big man has to be able to score at all three levels now and be able to put the ball on the floor and make plays for others. Embiid does all that. He was, unfortunately, hampered by yet another injury in the postseason.

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Robert Horry tells a story of how the 1999-2000 Lakers bonded

Former Lakers forward Robert Horry told a story of how Phil Jackson got his team to bond into a championship unit by having a fun night out.

In the late 1990s, the Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most talented teams in the NBA. With Shaquille O’Neal in his physical prime, potent guards Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones and a budding teenager named Kobe Bryant, they seemed to be on the edge of greatness.

But they were swept out of the playoffs in 1998 and 1999, and it was clear they lacked something. So in June 1999, they hired Phil Jackson to be their head coach, hoping his mystical flower power and experience coaching the dynastic Chicago Bulls of the 1990s would be the missing ingredients.

He definitely changed the team’s culture. The 1999-2000 Lakers surprised everyone by winning 31 of their first 36 games. But they still had some growing to do before they could call themselves world champions, both on and off the court.

Robert Horry, a veteran forward on that team, recalled how Jackson got the team to bond by taking them out as a group to see a popular and hilarious stand-up comedian.

Via Lakers Nation:

“You got to like each other. You got to like each other, man, and I think I’ve never played it … like we would all go to dinners. I think when even when we was the Lakers we weren’t really a cohesive group. And Phil, one time Phil said, ‘Alright, nobody making plans we all getting on the bus’ because he knows when we make plans we on the road you get to the hotel, we got limos, we all in a limo, we gone. He said, ‘nobody make plans.’ He made us all go to a comedy club. We went in through the back doors, probably like this and we’re like, ‘Where the (expletive) we at,’ right? This is the first time I ever seen Fluffy (Gabriel Iglesias). He was funny as (expletive). We all laughed.

“And then from that moment on, we started doing a lot more things as a team. And it’s amazing how we would come, ‘Oh yeah, we friends, we good’ but we weren’t that close. And from that moment on, we became closer.”

One thing Jackson was known for doing was helping his players grow as men and not just basketball players. He would sometimes organize group activities to get his players to develop a unanimity that would translate to game action.

After a rough patch in January and early February, those Lakers started to come together, winning 19 games in a row. They then got through the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers in the playoffs. Despite some drama versus Sacramento and Portland, they took home their first of three straight Larry O’Brien trophies.

Robert Horry says Hakeem Olajuwon and not Shaquille O’Neal was the best big man he played with

Former Laker Robert Horry may have thrown a bit of shade at his old teammate Shaquille O’Neal while on the podcast “All The Smoke.”

Robert Horry was one of the more beloved role players in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers. He hit some of the biggest game-winning and game-clinching shots in team history, including, of course, his dagger at the buzzer of Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference finals against the Sacramento Kings.

Neither the Kings nor the city of Sacramento has gotten over that 3-pointer, even 20 years later. But Horry’s contributions to the early 2000s Lakers went far beyond shots like that.

He is also one of the luckiest players in NBA history. He won multiple rings with three teams: the Lakers, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. In doing so, he played with Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Tim Duncan, probably the three best big men of the last 30 years.

On a recent episode of the “All The Smoke” podcast, Horry may have irked some Lakers fans when he said Olajuwon, not O’Neal, was the best big man he ever played with (h/t Lakers Nation).

“All the other teams I played for, the one common denominator was great big men. Think about it, Shaq, Tim Duncan. And if you said right now, name the top five big men, I played with three of them… Dream No. 1 by far. We don’t like to, nobody want to talk about it. I think you have these guys who are quiet. Think about it. Dream, he’s a really quiet guy, you can’t get him to do much, to say much. So we kind of veer away from him. We don’t talk about him, but to me, if you look at what he put together. Defensive player of the year, MVP in one season. All-time leading shot blocker. Those things that you look at his history and what he’s done for the game and where he, how he started the game. This dude didn’t play basketball growing up. Went to (University of Houston) where they wasn’t, think about it, we all went to college where they going to teach you. U of H they just roll the ball out there and he went to work. So I think with his body of work was just incredible. And he’s just a good dude, too, man. That’s what you have to think about. A good dude.”

An argument could be made that Olajuwon was O’Neal’s equal when the former was at his peak in the mid-1990s. However, Olajuwon’s prime lasted just a few years, while O’Neal was in his prime for up to a full decade.

In the end, it is somewhat hard to compare the two. While O’Neal was the ultimate power player and likely one of the three greatest physical specimens in basketball history, Olajuwon was arguably the most skilled center ever, and his post moves, ball fakes and footwork were something to behold.