7x NBA champion Robert Horry makes case for Hall of Fame induction referencing “sacrifices” on championship teams
Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry went on his own podcast and discussed his lack of Hall of Fame recognition despite the numerous team accolades.
Only 111 NBA players have made it to the HoF, which makes it less than 3% of the players in league history.
Horry, known as "Big Shot Bob," made a compelling case for getting a spot in Springfield, Massachusetts referencing his Rockets' coach Rudy Tomjanovich's endorsement.
"He [Tomjanovich] said that for me and I shed a tear because a lot of people from the outside don’t know the sacrifices that players do to make things better. ...
"I think one of the things that people forget or those that don’t know basketball is that it’s called 'The Basketball Hall of Fame,' not the 'NBA Hall of Fame' and if you look at my basketball career, it speaks for itself."
Before we examine whether Robert Horry deserves to make the Hall of Fame, it is important to look at some other notable players who have not made the HoF. Some iconic players of his own era who were far more important offensive and defensive presences for their teams have not gotten that recognition.
Shawn Marion, Marques Johnson, Mark Price and Rasheed Wallace are all players who would get in ahead of him if we consider individual statistical performances.
Basketball Reference's Hall of Fame probability calculator paints an unkind picture and an unlikely entry into the hallowed Hall for Horry, where he ranks 226th with a Hall of Fame probability of 0.0336.
This might mean a death knell for the chances of enshrinement for any other player but 'Big Shot Bob' was not any old role player.
His impact can barely be quantified by looking at his career averages.
Here are three reasons for and against Robert Horry's inclusion into the Hall of Fame.
Why should Robert Horry be inducted in to the Hall of Fame?
#1 Impact on winning
Horry has seven NBA championships and played on several iconic teams: the Houston Rockets, LA Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, becoming a crucial part of the culture and becoming a locker room leader who galvanized young and old players alike.
Horry's old coach at the Houston Rockets, Rudy Tomjanovich, said:
"When we speak of Robert Horry to be included in the Hall, he's got seven rings to prove it. That is where he belongs."
#2 Excellence in limited role
The consistent level of play that Horry brought to all his teams cannot be portrayed by just the box score. These are intagible factors that don't appear on the stat sheet.
Robert Horry's hustle, defense and basketball IQ all served as great assets for his teams, especially in the playoffs when the going gets tough. Horry was always able to maintain a calm head, and that reflects in his ultimate legacy in the NBA.
#3 Robert Horry's clutch gene
He's known as "Big Shot Bob" for good reason. He is celebrated for hitting several game-winning memorable shots in the clutch, especially in moments with high stakes in the playoffs. His 3-pointer against the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Western Conference finals was perhaps his greatest moment, but Horry is also remembered for other heroics including his performance in Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals.
Why should Robert Horry not be in the Hall of Fame?
"Anybody can be a champion, everyone can't be a Hall of Famer - Tracy McGrady on Robert Horry
#1 Modest individual record
Horry averages only 7.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, and he never even made the NBA All-Star Team, being consigned to the bench for a large part of his career.
Even though he was a winning player on defense and an integral part of many teams' offenses, his career numbers just don't stack up enough to warrant him a place in the Hall where there are better players with individual statistical records who are still out of it.
#2 Horry's role player status
Horry never made the jump from being a role player to being an important star player for his team. Horry was often expendable on championship teams, which explained why he moved around the league so much.
But his coaches always seemed to respect him and made him a de facto leader on and off the court. Despite this, there are very few players in the Hall who made it exclusively from being a role player.
#3 A lack of major awards
In addition to not being an All-Star, Horry did not ever make an All-NBA team, or never received any major buzz for being an MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Despite being one of the most iconic role players in NBA history, he never got the Sixth Man of the Year award either.
Horry maintains a key part in the memories of NBA fans of the 90s and 2000s, yet it is safe to say his inclusion case stands on shaky ground at best.