Robert Horry played seven years with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, so it was more than enough time for Horry to develop a great relationship with the late NBA legend.
Like most of Bryant’s former teammates, Horry also admired his skills and dedication. Because of Bryant, “Big Shot Rob” remained a Lakers fan even in retirement.
When Horry joined the Lakers media as a commentator, one of the things that made him love his job was Kobe, which was why when Bryant announced his retirement, Horry knew that it would feel completely different.
“It’s going to feel like the Lakers are turning into the Clippers. [Laughs],” Horry told Slam in 2016. “It’s going to feel like this young, brash team who’s trying to search for an identity and for who they are. It’s going to be very weird. It’s almost going to make me not go back to work next year because he’s not going to be there. [Laughs]”
Rob wanted Kobe to retire a winner
It was early in the 2015-16 season when Bryant shocked the NBA community by announcing that it would be the final season of his illustrious career. Understandably, the fact that Black Mamba was about to leave the game for good was difficult for Horry.
However, watching Bryant and the Lakers suffer consecutive losses made it even harder. For Horry, there was no better way for an iconic player like Kobe to cap off his career than a championship or at least a successful run deep in the playoffs.
The Lakers finished Bryant’s farewell season as the second-worst team in the league, winning only a total of 17 games. Knowing how competitive and hungry Kobe was, Horry was certain it must have been tough not only for the Lakers fans but Bryant himself.
“It’s hard, man,” Horry said of seeing the Lakers struggle. “Really, really hard because when you’ve had a person who’s been so successful as Kobe has and has won so many games and to see him constantly lose night in and night out… It’s hard because you want to see him finish how he started his first season and how he started his career winning.”
Bryant’s and Horry’s chemistry
Horry won three consecutive NBA championships alongside Bryant in L.A. To this day, that historic run still holds a special place in Horry’s heart.
Throughout that stretch, Horry and Bryant formed a synergy on the court. In fact, Horry credited Kobe for the majority of the biggest clutch shots he made during his time with the Lakers.
“I think nine out of 10 came from Kobe, kicking it to me and having that belief in me,” Horry once explained.
“People always want to say, ‘Why were you standing there?’ First of all, it’s two things that’s going on in my mind. Kobe’s going to kick it back to me, number one. And number two is, I’m going to get the ball and knock down a three because I’m the type of guy who is going for the win, going for the dagger,” he added.
Horry’s comments about Bryant’s retirement were profound. His quips speak volumes about how Kobe impacted him as a teammate, a player and a fan. However, in conclusion, what it truly meant was that the NBA has never been the same since Bean left.