Sports
Q&A: Robert Horry weighs in on the 2023 NBA Finals – NBA.com
The 7-time NBA champion discusses the mentality before big games, Nikola Jokic's talent and makes his pick for the 2023 Finals.
Maurice Brooks, for NBA.com
Robert Horry won 7 NBA titles in his career — 2 with the Rockets, 3 with the Lakers and 2 with the Spurs.
Robert Horry (a.k.a. “Big Shot Rob” because of his ability to hit clutch shots) won seven NBA championships in 16 seasons as a player.
So, it’s safe to say that he knows a thing or two about what it takes to win a title. NBA.com caught up with Horry, who never lost in the NBA Finals.
Editor’s Note: The following conversation has been condensed and edited.
NBA.com: What kind of mindset does it take to win an NBA championship?
Horry: My mindset was always to try to get some good sleep, to calm myself. So, when I went in there, I was thinking clearly and I knew what to do. My mindset also was to be able to understand everybody that’s involved in this game, from not just the players that you’re playing against, not just your teammates, but the coaching staff and what they’re going to do so you can anticipate that. You got to have that oneness. And that’s why you only see so many teams that are able to get to the NBA Finals, because at the end of the day, the good teams, they don’t need the coaches because they have that oneness. They’re thinking on the same level as the coaches, they’re thinking on the same levels of their teammates, you know, they just need the coaches sometimes to micromanage everything. So that mindset is the mindset of having a oneness, having the calmness, whatever situation comes up, you’re able to deal with it.
Robert Horry was a key player in the 1994 and '95 championship teams in Houston.
How were you able to find that calmness in yourself? Was there something you did before big games? Was there something in your upbringing that prepared you to be able to deal with the pressure of those moments?
I think it has a lot to do with my mother. She just turned 75. And she instilled in me to just go out there and think the game, not just play the game, but think the game. You know, it could be anything, it’d be playing cards or playing board games when I was a little kid. She’s like, just don’t just play the game, think the game. And everybody talks about slowing things down and doing all these things, you know, mentally but for me, it’s been a part of me from day one. I remember playing with the Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon after one game came up to me and actually says ‘Do you not care if we win or lose? I’m like what are you talking about? He said your emotions are so even keeled. I’m like ‘Dream, I have a passion like no other for this game. I said I love this game. I just have to keep calm because every situation is different’ And you had to really think through these situations and be able to handle them. And so that’s just how I’ve been and I have to thank my mom for making me realize not just to play the game but to think the game.
Robert Horry delivers a clutch shot for the Lakers vs. the Kings in the 2002 West Finals.
Are you surprised a little bit at the way everybody kind of just buys in and just really does their role? Like, nobody expected Miami to be here.
There are so many teams that start out years with injuries, no rhythm and stuff like that. But once you get hot like the Miami Heat, you know, it’s hard to stop them. The Boston Celtics, they, for some reason this year, they weren’t a very good team at home. They weren’t able to win games, they didn’t play with a confidence. And I hate to say this, but when you watch the Celtics play, it’s like my turn your turn, you know, it’s like no offense was ran. And if you look at the way the Miami Heat play, they ran a lot of offense, the guys were looking out for one another. And that makes a big difference when you know exactly what you’re doing offensively. And because it transfers to the other end because if you able to get shots and get involved in offense, you play so much better on the defensive end. And I think that’s the way the Miami Heat do it.
Miami has really been the gold standard in the East, but I don’t think anybody really looks at it that way. But if you look at how many Finals they’ve been to and what they’ve accomplished, is it safe to say that Miami over the past 17-18 years has been the best team in the East?
I think it goes all the way back to once Alonzo Mourning got there. And he and Pat Riley were one of those types of people who was very disciplined, they knew defense wins championships and they play hard. It’s like come to practice and compete, come to the games and compete even more. I think that’s when the culture started and then you get a guy like Dwyane Wade, who took it to another level. And then you get Shaq and, you know, then Chris Bosh, and then you know, LeBron, and it’s so many guys, but it all starts with the mindset of Pat Riley.
The Miami Heat remind me of the San Antonio Spurs organization when you get a guy like David Robinson, military background, who are very disciplined by what they do. And then you pass along to Tim, Tim passes along to whoever was next Manu, Tony, but that’s just how it is down there. You know, they love each other, they play together. It’s not about Jimmy Butler, it’s not about Bam, it’s about the team. And that’s the way they play — when you think about Duncan Robinson, who kind of got put on an island by himself and wasn’t able to get in the game. And now they need him. He’s able to step up. He didn’t mind. He comes out, he doesn’t pout, he just plays his position. So, the culture has started from way back with Alonzo (Mourning). That’s why he’s in the front office. That’s why he and Pat Riley are always together. And that’s why this team is back to where they like to be, in the Finals competing for a championship.
You like their chances against Denver or is Denver a whole different animal?
I didn’t realize how good Denver was until I had to watch them. Since I work with the Lakers and do their television, and you know, you look at Denver, they’re not the sexy team. And then you watch them play and the way they are able to compete on both ends of the floor and the way they play well together. It’s going to be hard to beat them. I just don’t think Miami is big enough. Because think about this – Bam is their biggest guy. When you watch the way Denver’s been playing, they are on a mission this year. The way Jamal Murray has come back to show everybody he was one of the top guys in the league before he got his knee injury. And the way Michael Porter Jr. is shooting from 3, they’re playing good. KCP can lock guys up, they got a complete team. It’s a good team so Miami’s got a tough task at hand.
Does Jokic remind you of anybody you’ve ever played with?
He reminds me of Arvydas Sabonis. Sabonis could bring it up, Sabonis was able to pass, Sabonis was able to shoot 3s. You know, not the young Sabonis (Domantas) but the dad and the way he plays. He is on a mission. It’s almost like it reminds me of Dream and David Robinson, a guy who thinks he should have won MVP and he doesn’t win it. And he goes on a tear to show everybody why he’s a true MVP. And that’s what Jokic is doing right now. He’s just on a tear offensively, defensively, getting offensive rebounds and knocking down shots. It’s just like it’s meant to be his year.
Robert Horry came up with a big shot for the Spurs in the 2005 NBA Finals.
So who’s your playoffs MVP? Right now?
Jokic and Murray. And I just think right now the way Jokic and Murray are playing — that dynamic duo kind of reminds me of Shaq and Kobe where they’re able to dominate, both get 30 in the game. It’s just hard to stop those guys, man because they can get to any spot on the floor, they could score from any spot on the floor. And it’s gonna be a tough task for the Miami Heat. I’ll be rooting for them but it is what it is when you got a guy like Jokic who can do everything.
Who’s somebody that nobody’s really talking about that you think could play a pivotal role in this series?
I think of Max (Strus). I’m a huge fan of Mad Max if he’s able to compete and keep Michael Porter Jr. at bay because I think those two guys, whoever shoots the best from 3 is gonna probably win that series. And I think Mad Max is a key. He doesn’t get a lot of minutes and I wish he would get more minutes because I think his ability to stretch the floor would allow Jimmy to get to the hole more. And that’s the guy that I’m looking at to be one of the pivotal the guys in this series. Jokic is gonna do his thing, Murray’s gonna do his thing. But I think it’s guys like Max and Michael Porter, Jr. if they would be consistent for me is going to be vital for each team.
You got a prediction?
If you gonna put me on the spot, I got Denver in five.
Miami's swingman has not played since breaking his hand in Game 1 of the first round vs. Milwaukee.
The 2-time Kia MVP did it all during his 32-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist triple-double performance in Miami.
Miami needs to continue to mix up coverages on Murray, while Denver needs to limit turnovers and continue to contest 3-point shooters.
Will Denver continue to get help from role players? Breaking down things to watch for on Friday night (8:30 ET, ABC).
Miami's swingman has not played since breaking his hand in Game 1 of the first round vs. Milwaukee.
The 2-time Kia MVP did it all during his 32-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist triple-double performance in Miami.
Miami needs to continue to mix up coverages on Murray, while Denver needs to limit turnovers and continue to contest 3-point shooters.
Will Denver continue to get help from role players? Breaking down things to watch for on Friday night (8:30 ET, ABC).
The NBA also warned that Lillard would be disciplined if he or his agent make additional comments suggesting he won't honor his contract.
Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson became a part of the Commanders' ownership group last week.
In 19 games for the Spurs last season, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.3 minutes.
LeBron's 18-year-old son was hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest at basketball practice.
The lawsuit alleges the Pelicans star of failing to pay back on a $2 million loan.
Celtics star guard eyeing to help the Boston community at a greater capacity after agreeing to supermax extension.
If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page.
NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLC’s Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network