Los Angeles Lakers: 3 former role players that would help today’s team

Robert Horry

This position could have easily went to players like Derek Fisher, Glen Rice or even the Swaggiest member of the Showtime Lakers — Kurt Rambis.

Other than the aptly named “Swaggy P” Nick Young, Kurt Rambis is the swaggiest player in Los Angeles Lakers history.

A Mullet, short shorts, Clark Kent glasses, and a Freddie Mercury mustache. If that isn’t next level swag, I don’t know what is.

Anyway, back to Robert Horry.

Either Robert Horry was incredibly lucky and had a knack for being at the right place at the right time or he was a good player who made every team he was ever on better.

I tend to think the latter.

Nothing about Robert Horry’s stats throughout his career screams elite, but time after time “Big Shot Bob” was there when his team needed him the most.

However, Horry has several traits that are hard to teach. He can make a shot when the pressure is at its highest, he knows how to act when his teams back are against the wall, he has the necessary experience to put teams away in the NBA finals and he knows how to defer to his superstar teammates even if it means that his stats do not reflect the level of effort he is putting forth.

In today’s NBA Robert Horry would be a small-ball center/ stretch 5. Capable of stepping out to the 3 point line but also capable of banging down low and getting buckets.

A player like Robert Horry would be an ideal fit next to Anthony Davis, he would allow for Davis to step out to the perimeter and go to work there, he could come out to the 3-point line and allow for Davis to work inside.

While his stats would not be eye-popping, Horry would add championship-level experience, big shot ability, veteran leadership, and an ability to score from the outside. This allows for the Lakers to improve in regards to floor spacing and space in the paint for Davis to dominate in.