By Jordan
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame finally was able to enshrine the class of 2020 over the weekend. It was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The class included Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Tamika Catchings, Kevin Garnett, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens, Eddie Sutton, Patrick Baumann, and Rudy Tomjanovich. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame also announced the 2021 class. The names include Lauren Jackson, Paul Pierce, Chris Webber, Yolanda Griffith, Chris Bosh, Ben Wallace, and Toni Kukoc among the 16 names. The class of 2021 will be inducted on September 21st. Legendary Coach Rudy Tomjanovich believes there is one more name missing and should get consideration, Robert Horry.
According to MSN.com, during Rudy Tomjanovich’s speech, he said, “He’s got seven rings to prove it, this is where he belongs.”
Horry started his NBA career with the Houston Rockets from 1992 to 1996. In those years for the Rockets Horry played in 295 games while starting 292 of them. He didn’t put up the greatest numbers averaging 10.5 points, and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Rockets went to the NBA Playoffs 4 times and won the NBA championship twice, 1994 and 1995.
He played 32 games for the Suns to start the 1996 season before he was dealt to the L.A. Lakers. His career shifted to L.A. Horry stayed with the Lakers until 2003. In his time with the Lakers Horry became the 6th man. He appeared in 448 games but started 140 of them. In those contests, Horry averaged 6.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He played in 25.4 minutes per game, helping the Lakers claim 3 NBA Championships in a row from 2000 to 2002
Horry finished up his career with the San Antonio Spurs from 2003 to 45 games into 2008. There he spent time as the 6th man, scoring 4.7 points per game while grabbing 3.4 rebounds per game. The Spurs ended up winning the NBA Championship with him in 2005 and 2007.
Horry’s 7 rings helps his case for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He has the required time to be considered. He has been out of basketball since 2008. A player needs to be retired 4 full seasons to be eligible which he has.
Horry is not a Hall of Fame worthy player. In his career, he averaged 24.5 minutes per game. In those minutes he scored 7 points and grabbed 4.8 rebounds per game. The best part of his game was 3 pointers. He could nail one when the game was on the line. He shot 34.1% from the three point line.
Horry made 795 3 pointers in his career. Right now, that is 192nd in NBA history, tied with Devin Booker who is still playing, not good enough to be considered a Hall of Famer.
Tomjanovich coached Horry from 1993 to 1996. He knows what kind of player Horry is. He would like to see Horry in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In the end, Horry’s case is weak and he shouldn’t make the Hall just because of his rings. He didn’t do enough on the basketball court even though he might be one of the most clutch 3 point shooters in NBA history. He may not be ever enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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