The most clutch players in Los Angeles Lakers history
Most clutch Los Angeles Lakers, no. 7 and 6:
7. Robert Horry
He does not have the nickname “Big Shot Rob” for any old reason. Horry is well known for hitting big shots in the clutch. Lakers fans know him all too well as he has hit some of the biggest shots in Lakers history, such as his last-second shot against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference Finals in 2002.
In Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals against the 76ers, the series was tied 1-1. Horry hit a three-pointer with 47 seconds left to lift the Lakers 92-88. He also went on to hit four key free throws in the final seconds of the game to give Los Angeles a 96-91 victory. In Game 3 of the 2002 Western Conference First Round, Horry hit a game-winning three-pointer with 2 seconds left to give the Lakers a 92-91 lead.
Of course, he was doing this long before he came to the Lakers. Horry was always just one of those clutch players. A talented role player who was part of seven championship teams. For those of you who have never seen that last-second shot against the Kings, here it is.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Captain stood at a towering and imposing seven feet two inches tall with a long and slender build with unbelievable moves for someone that size. Most important was his high basketball IQ which allowed him to easily dissect opponents and take over games.
Jabbar could take over games, not because of his build but more because of his height and his brain. He had a knack for always putting himself in the right position whether taking shots or rebounding.
Kareem was also one of the all-time greatest defenders in NBA history as well as the league’s all-time scorer. His Sky Hook was famous and unstoppable for opponents. A six-time MVP who was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Team eleven times, Jabbar was always called and counted on when it came down to crunch time.
In his later years, as his skills seemed to dwindle a bit, he would still be called on to hit an occasional skyhook shot when the game was on the line.