Robert Horry has seven NBA rings to show but hardly scratches the surface as one of the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). The 49-year-old recently spoke on that belief, saying that people who use this as a measure are "stupid."
Speaking to TMZ Sports, the 11th overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft gave his take on the recent opinion made by former teammate Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba previously revealed on the "All The Smoke" podcast that he was pissed for not being able to match the NBA rings Michael Jordan had.
Horry explained that it was Bryant's opinion on being a GOAT. However, the seven-time champion reasoned that it was like saying that players like Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing are not great players. He added that the debate is pointless because not all players can win titles during their NBA careers.
He is aware that Kobe does compare himself to Jordan, but falling short of the NBA ring count should not have any impact on his legacy. When asked on which among his seven rings was his favorite, Horry just said that all of them were precious.
Horry is one of the few players to win an NBA title playing for different teams. He won two with the Houston Rockets (1994, 1995), three with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002), and two with the San Antonio Spurs (2005, 2007). When he was left unsigned in 2008, the 6-foot-9 exited the league.
The debate rages on as to how to measure an NBA player's greatness. NBA titles have been used as a gauge, but there are apparently other factors worth considering. Winning an NBA title is any professional cager's dream, one that could clearly make them accomplished. However, for guys like Horry, it should go beyond that.
To his credit, Robert Horry will forever be remembered as the clutch player not afraid to take the big shots. Most know how he did it with the Lakers, particularly in 2002 against the Sacramento Kings. Horry was also best remembered for that game-winning three-point shot for the Spurs against the Detroit Pistons in 2005. Should these be factored in when singling out the greatest NBA players of the game?
Horry also explained that Bryant's comment was his opinion and that he seemed to respect that. But for him, it goes way beyond NBA rings, and hopefully basketball fans get to understand that soon.
