What does Big Shot Rob, who was known for his clutch long-range shooting, have to say about the PBA’s new innovation?
Throughout his storied career, seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry always came up big with timely game-winning three-point shots, exploits that earned him the nickname “Big Shot Rob.”
Yet despite his propensity for long-range bombs, Horry isn’t exactly a fan of the four-point shot, which was introduced by the PBA this season.
“Well, you know, that’s the way the game is now,” Horry said about the four-point shot during a media scrum at the NBA Store in Megamall. “So many kids want to shoot the long ball. But then I understand it’s about getting buckets. It doesn’t matter if it’s two, three or four in this case. Get buckets and do it with a high efficiency.
“So to me, when you add a four-point play, it makes kids not really want to play the game. They just want to shoot the ball. Play the game the right way, get buckets, have fun, play defense, and just enjoy the game.
“That’s what basketball is. One of those sports that brings so many people together. It’s just fun to watch people play and watch people understand it.”
But if there had been a four-point shot in the NBA during his playing career, would he have used it?
“Probably not because a man must know his limitations,” he said. “And I know the college line was easy. The NBA lane was kind of hard for me. So with practice, I probably could. But it wouldn’t be something I would probably incorporate in my game just because that’s not who I was.
“You know, that’s the biggest key to winning championships. You have to understand who you are and be able to help the team out. And that way, you can make the team move forward.”
‘Learn the fundamentals’
Speaking of winning championships, Robert Horry thinks that the international game has already surpassed the American game, at least in terms of teaching them young.
“They’re way advanced than us, you know. What I say about that is the fundamental part of it. They understand how to play the game.
“You know, I was just talking about this to a couple of people downstairs. It’s like when you play international ball, you’ve got to learn the fundamentals because fundamentals are the base of being good. And so many times in the U.S., this kid has a lot of talent. So they say go for what you know. And he’s really not taught the game the right way.
“I think that’s why when you look at the NBA, and you say give me the top 10 players in the NBA, I think six or seven of them are foreign players. And that’s the base.
“We as Americans do not need to be so cocky and stop trying to push our kids to be in the NBA so quickly and teach them the game and understand the game so they can be fundamental in sound, so they can eventually take back the top spots in the NBA.”
These are the lessons that Horry is trying to impart to his children, who are following in his footsteps.
“Don’t F up,” he jokingly said when asked about what advice he has for his kids. “No, I just tell them to go out and play hard. You know, I say enjoy the moment. Because the moment comes and it goes really fast.”
Robert Horry played four years at the University of Alabama before getting drafted by the Houston Rockets in 1992. He wishes that more American players would stay in school longer.
“For me, there’s so many times kids want to grow up and go straight to the NBA. I like that. I could have left after my junior year of college, but I loved college so much. I had so much fun in college. That’s where you grow as a person, as an individual.
“In my case, you become a man, and you understand the importance of teammates, the importance on how to do this as a group. You know, there’s so many guys now that are playing. They only play one year in college, and they’re trying to get their numbers.
“They don’t care about nobody else but themselves so they can get their numbers so they can go to the next level. But when you get to the next level, you’ve got to understand you can’t win a championship unless you know how to play together.
“And that’s why I’m just telling my kids, enjoy the moment. Go out and play as hard as possible. And don’t stress out by making it to the next level. Do what you need to do to make yourself better as an individual so when life hits you with obstacles, you’re able to overcome them.”
He keeps coming back to Manila
This is Robert Horry’s third trip to the Philippines, and if the line of fans waiting for him outside the NBA Store is any indication, he is still wildly popular.
“Anytime I come to the Philippines, I have so much fun due to the fans,” he said. “The fans are bananas, but I mean in a great way. They’re very knowledgeable and it’s just great to come to a place where they understand basketball and love basketball. So I’ve always loved coming here. This is my third time, so yeah, I love it.
“The fans are always great. It’s so weird that when you get off the plane they’re there, when you go to your hotel they’re there. I’m 20 years removed from the NBA and they still want my autograph and want to see me. So I’m honored and blessed. They let you know that they appreciate good basketball here.”
The one thing he hasn’t done yet during his trips here is some sightseeing, particularly in the islands.
“Beaches,” he answered when asked about what else he wanted to see here. “I hear that they have really good beaches and I haven’t had a chance to go. But I was telling (the organizer) the next time I come, I need three days there. That’s all I need, just enjoy some fun in the sun.”
Banner Image by Brylle Sarmiento.