Over time, the Los Angeles Lakers lost Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox and others who played huge roles.
This really should not be a topic to be discussed considering that basketball is a team sport but, most fans think teams should have two or three superstars and an instant championship is formed. Guess what, that is not the case. Superstars take over at the end of games in crunch time. Sometimes, that is not the case. Maybe a role player can change history.
Like Robert Horry for example. Remember this? Shaquille O’Neal won’t let TNT fans forget.
Robert Horry cemented his nickname of “Big Shot Bob” knocking down this 3-pointer over an outstretched Chris Webber to tie the series at 2-2 going back to Sacramento in the 2002 Western Conference Finals. People will always remember this shot but forget that he had 11 points in the 4th quarter on his way to 18 huge points to help the Lakers pull this game and series out.
I became a fan when Horry was asked if he felt any pressure. He said no. He had a sick daughter at the time to take care of. That was the coldest statement I had ever heard from an NBA player. A Horry jersey is in my collection based off that statement alone.
Horry was never scared of shooting the ball. When he left, his shot went with him. We don’t even want to even discuss the defense he played.
How about Derek Fisher?
Derek Fisher came into the NBA the same time Kobe Bryant did in 1996. They both were close and Fisher was one of the few on the roster that seemed to understand Kobe as well as relate. Kobe Bryant was considered an outsider at times to the rest of his teammates while Shaq was the life of the party.
By the way, Fisher made clutch shots too during the playoff runs as well.
These two players highlighted players like Brian Shaw, Horace Grant and Rick Fox who knew their roles in the “triangle offense” and played defense so the stars could do their thing on the court.
Brian Shaw retired and took up coaching. You might have seen him once or twice last season. He was on Luke Walton‘s staff.
Derek Fisher left for Golden State (The other one, not today’s Warriors!) before going to Utah and eventually rejoining the Lakers to win two more titles.
Rick Fox retired to become an actor.
Horace Grant sandwiched a couple of years in Orlando between two years with the Lakers before retiring after the 2004 Finals debacle.
Kobe and Shaq grabbed the headlines (For better or worse!) but these guys at times saved the Lakers dynasty.