Remembering Kobe Bryant’s most iconic Lakers teammates

Robert Horry (1997-2003)

In comparison to the first two stars mentioned, Robert Horry pales in comparison when you put their career achievements and individual metrics side-by-side. It’s true that he did come off the bench and was never the type of player to erupt for huge numbers each game, but if there’s one thing Big Shot Bob was better at than most people, it was being clutch.

His nickname isn’t just something that was thrown around and eventually stuck. He earned it after a number of pivotal game-winning shots and playoff heroics that are considered the stuff of legend by any standard.

Everywhere he went, championships followed. This was especially true during his tenure with the Lakers as he joined right at the beginning of the Shaq-Kobe era and played as a key off-the-bench option at forward. He was never the best player statistically, but he will always be one of the most dependable teammates anyone can ask for.

One of the most iconic game-winners of all time came from Horry himself. In Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, the Lakers trailed 97-99 and had one last shot with time expiring. If they failed to beat the Kings at this stage, they would fall behind 1-3 in the series heading into Sacramento.

The ball naturally fell to Kobe’s hands, but his attempt came up short. Shaq was unsuccessful from point-blank range, then Vlade Divac swatted the ball away from the basket only for Horry to scoop it up and fire away from three.

The rest, as we know it, is history.