NBA Legend Robert Horry Visits Manila: ‘The Fans Here are Bananas!’
Laker legend and seven-time NBA Champion Robert Horry was in the country for a quick three-day visit. While in town, he attended a launch event for a mobile phone brand and met with his Filipino fans at the NBA Store in SM Megamall. The clutch-shooting forward who earned the moniker Big Shot Bob during his illustrious 16-year career also made himself available to the media to answer questions and share his experiences in the league.
Robert Horry visited Manila for the third time in September 2024
Horry signed jerseys during his visit
Selected 11th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1992 NBA Draft, Horry was named to the All-Rookie Second Team that season. He won his first two championships with the Rockets in 1994 and 1995 and would go on to win three more with Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Two more championship rings would follow in 2005 and 2007 after he moved to the San Antonio Spurs so yes, he has one Larry O’Brien trophy more than Michael Jordan has.
ALSO READ
Why Five-Time NBA Champ and Lakers Legend Derek Fisher Returned to Manila
Kyle Kuzma on His First Trip to Manila: 'I Can Feel the Love'
“My favorite championship is ’95 just because of the journey (with Houston),” Horry says. “There were so many teams with great records that we had to beat and then we swept Shaq and Penny so if you think of that run, it doesn’t get talked about, but that to me is the best run in basketball. If you take my run in ’95 and my run in 2001 (with the Lakers), those are the best two runs in basketball ever.
Horry being interviewed by local press
Horry was, of course, referring to Los Angeles’ dominant post-season that would have been a sweep if not for an overtime loss to the Allen Iverson-led Sixers in the finals series opener. “We shouldn’t have lost Game 1. We should have been 16-0 that year, but we didn’t.”
Horry meets the author
No stranger to Manila, Horry shared that this is his third time in the country. “Every time I come to the Philippines I have so much fun. The fans are bananas, but I mean that in a great way. They’re very knowledgeable, and it’s just great to come to a place where they understand and love basketball.” Horry previously visited the Philippines in 2009 as part of the NBA Asia Challenge and in 2013 for the NBA Global Games between the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers. “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. That lets you know that they appreciate good basketball.” Horry remains a fixture in the NBA as part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ broadcast team as a commentator on Spectrum Sports.
Signing a young fan's jersey
NBA Philippines has been host to a number of past and present stars from the league in recent months. We can’t wait to see who will come over next.
