Robert Horry expressed no surprise at the San Antonio Spurs’ recent slide into mediocrity, especially considering their history as a dominant team in the NBA. In Horry’s perspective, it is an inevitable aspect of the game that no NBA franchise can maintain its top position indefinitely.
The seven-time NBA champion acknowledged that regardless of the exceptional talent and coaching that once defined the Spurs, time would ultimately catch up with every team. Horry believed that even the most stellar core players and coaching staff would eventually depart, leaving a gap that can be difficult to fill.
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Horry also implied that the true challenge lies in finding suitable replacements for these key figures and in the limited time available to rebuild and establish a winning team once again.
“I can fathom it. Because it happens to the best of them,” Horry told the San Antonio Express-News of the Spurs dynasty’s downfall. “It happened to the Celtics, it happened to the Lakers. People don’t understand how dominant the Spurs have been over the years. It was bound to come to an end.”
Spurs fans should be grateful for the successful years
Indeed, the Spurs have achieved remarkable success in the NBA, clinching five championships since their debut as a franchise in 1967. For “Big Shot Bob,” it’s already a significant feat, considering that many teams in the league have struggled to secure even a single title.
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Horry recognized the Spurs dynasty’s championship runs as a tremendous accomplishment and encouraged the San Antonio faithful to embrace a forward-looking perspective. He tried to enlighten them about the importance of gratitude for the years during which the Spurs dominated the league, urging them to celebrate their team’s legacy rather than dwelling on the past.
“For (small-market San Antonio) to have won as many championships as it did is amazing,” the former Spurs forward explained. “You can look at a lot of great places that haven’t won a championship, a lot of great players who haven’t won championships. They (Spurs fans) better be happy that they were able to win some. I know all of us who did win championships are happy and grateful we did.”
Why Horry fit in with successful teams
Throughout his NBA career, Horry was never selected as an All-Star. Yet he earned a distinguished reputation as a dependable role player. By embracing this vital role, Horry became instrumental in the success of the Spurs, the ’90s Houston Rockets, and the early 2000s Los Angeles Lakers, three of the most storied franchises in NBA history.
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In a candid reflection, “Big Shot Bob” shared that his success was rooted in his willingness to sacrifice personal recognition for the greater good of the team and his ability to adapt to his team’s evolving needs.
“I think for me being able to adapt to whatever situation, and I talked about the word ‘sacrifice’ is so vital to playing in the NBA,” Horry once reflected. “When you play with guys like Shaq, Kobe, Tim, Manu, and Tony, you have to be able to adjust your game. If you can’t sacrifice your individual skill set to match with those guys, you can be in trouble.”
“Your attitude and how you adjust to a new team. How you’re able to get those guys to believe in you,” he added.
In essence, Horry’s insights remind us that the NBA’s cyclical nature means that even the most successful franchises must navigate the ebbs and flows of competition. In the end, it all boils down to one’s ability to move on and adapt, just like Horry did his entire career.