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.