The Houston Rockets legend compares the three best clutch shooters in NBA history.
Robert Horry, a former NBA player, knows a thing or two about making clutch shots.
During his 16-year NBA career with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs, “Huge Shot Bob” hit plenty of big shots.
Horry was a member of the Phoenix Suns, which I didn’t forget. He just didn’t have enough time in the desert to make many crucial shots, as he only appeared in 32 games with the Suns before being suspended and traded for throwing a towel at then-Phoenix head coach Danny Ainge. However, I digress.
Horry is widely regarded as one of the best clutch players in NBA history, despite never being named to an All-Star or All-NBA team. From Houston to Los Angeles to San Antonio, the Alabama product was an integral part of every championship team he played on.
So you pay attention when Horry talks about the greatest clutch player in NBA history. But it’s unlikely that you’d anticipate his pick.
Damian Lillard is the greatest clutch shooter in NBA history, according to Robert Horry.
On August 8, 2019 at Dodger Stadium, Robert Horry attends Clayton Kershaw’s 7th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose | Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Kershaw’s Challenge
Horry was asked to select the best five clutch shooters in NBA history during a recent interview on Sports Illustrated’s The Crossover podcast, but he declined to include himself.
Horry chose Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, and Stephen Curry in what seems to be no specific sequence for the first four. That’s a fairly strong quartet there. And here’s his No. 1 selection.
“And this guy right here, Damian Lillard, is definitely No. 1:
“People will ask, ‘Damian Lillard?’ He’s never won anything.’ But Damian Lillard has made crucial shots against every NBA club. Consider the possibility. He’s made big shots for every team in the last minute or two of a game.”
Damian Lillard is the greatest clutch shooter in NBA history, according to Robert Horry.
I’ll confess that when Horry originally picked Lillard, my mind instantly went to what he said soon afterward: Dame hasn’t won anything. Now, this isn’t all his fault; the Portland Trail Blazers just haven’t had the other pieces in place to legitimately contend for a title.
But over his 10-year career, he’s made some major baskets, like this buzzer-beater against the Thunder in the 2019 playoffs, which gave the Blazers the series victory.
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With this masterpiece against the Rockets five years ago, Lillard delivered the Blazers their first playoff series win in 14 years.
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There’s no doubting that Lillard is a game-changer. But who is the all-time clutch player? That could be pushing it a little. However, everyone, including Robert Horry, is undoubtedly entitled to his own view.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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