Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Robert Horry: The Infamous, Average Ballplayer

The NBA Playoffs are amongst yet again, and much like every other year the constant suckling of Robert Horry carries on. The life or death stories of Horry's incredible postseason shots are once again told to large audiences. People gasp at the man who now has 7 NBA titles.

But, it's all overhyped. All blown out of proportion because when you get right down to it. When you really look at Robert Horry's career you see Big Shot Rob was nothing more than an average player on some very good teams. In my mind, I see him as a leach.

In 16 seasons Horry's career numbers are about 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, and yes of course we have to add in his staggering playoff numbers as well where Horry has averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Listen Robert Horry has been an incredible clutch shooter in playoff time, but please let's cease from putting him in the same paragraph as playoff legends Micheal Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West, and so on. Horry's name should probably be mentioned alongside someone such as Bill Laimbeer.

If that.

Simply put, Horry made a living on jumping on teams on the rise. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets and where he stayed for 4 season. It was here Horry was his most most dominant. (10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds in the regular season; 12 points and 6.3 rebounds in the postseason) Horry won 2 titles with Hakeem and Co. Following a brief stop in Phoenix, Horry latched on in LA with the Lakers where he helped win 3 titles. When that title run was over Horry jumped ship and struck land in San Antonio where he has already won two titles.

After leaving Houston that impact on games was seen less and less by Robert Horry. From the 1996-97 season to present day, stats for Horry are around 6 points and 5 rebounds per game, with a slight increase in playoff times.

Pretty impressive, yet I sit here waiting for the long time vet to make his next move. I mean in a couple of years Boston may be his next stop. His next destination to win 2 titles and further embellish his career and yet again let us, the fans, hear his name thrown around with legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Horry will be remembered for his countless big shots, but remember, Big Shot Rob was never the focal point on any of his championship teams. He was never the dominant player, the guy who was the focal point of a team. It seems to me the media loves embracing the fact that there is a basketball player in the league who has 7 rings. That simple fact drives all of this. It is the underlining reason Horry's career is held in such high regard when in all honesty Robert Horry is nothing more than the most infamous, average ballplayer we have ever seen.