On August 25, Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry turned 54. Yet he’s no closer to an acknowledgment for one of the finest clutch players on the parquet. From Rudy Tomjanovich to Shaquille O’Neal, several hall-of-famers have endorsed the 7x NBA champion’s credentials for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. But the man himself has previously displayed indifference to the idea. Until his 54th birthday, when a fan made a bold declaration.

The Courtside Buzz page ran a poll on Big Shot Bob’s birthday asking, “TRUE or FALSE: 7x NBA champion Robert Horry should be a Hall of Famer.” As always, the reactions were mixed. But one person stood out. He wrote, “Yes [Robert Horry] 7x should be in the HOF.” 

Horry was on a spree of resharing fans’ wishes on his Stories. He shared this one too with no additions. Dare we say he’s agreeing with the statement? It’s giving off the energy of that meme where you don’t show how much you want something to make it happen.

The defense and the counter-argument for Horry’s case are similar. He was a role player at the right place and right time. Most list examples of his post-season clutch moments. Some don’t think he had a major contribution to those seven championship teams. The guys in those teams, though, disagree.

HoFer since 2016, Shaquille O’Neal has been one of them. When a fan asked him online if Big Shot Bob should be included in the Hall of Fame, Shaq responded, “The answer is HMF Yes, and yes I’m yelling.” Horry won three of his rings suiting up for the Lakers alongside Shaq and Kobe.

A notable moment came in Game 3 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. The Lakers were in Portland, down by two. Bryant caught the pass but was double-guarded. Horry was open at the baseline, got the ball, made the shot and gave Lakers a 92-91 win. For Shaq, these moments make a case for Horry’s inclusion.

Robert Horry mellowed Shaq’s campaign

O’Neal is not alone in the thought. Rudy Tomjanovich, who won two rings with Horry in Houston, and Michael Cooper also endorsed the campaign. Despite their sentiments, Horry has not shown much inclination.

“For me, I’m just gonna you know, sit back and let what will be will be,” Horry said after Shaq’s statement. He expressed he didn’t want to jump into this social media debate. He’s grateful for the experience with or without the HoF status. That being said, he gracefully said, “Thank you Shaq, I love you, that’s my brother.”

The best part about this debate is the brotherhood. Now all we need is either Shaq on the Big Shot Bob podcast, or Horry on The Big Podcast.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.