Cheap Shot Rob: Robert Horry's New Legacy

After watching the replay over and over, it’s clear that Horry’s intention was to hit West in his sore lower back. Everyone paying attention to the series knew that West was struggling with back problems, and when the New Orleans forward jumped into the air leaving his injured back exposed, I can tell you Horry was thinking about it too.

Some are debating whether or not the hit was intentional, but if you watch the play closely, it seems pretty clear. Horry cuts towards the basket behind West and instead of continuing this path, he turns around and lowers his shoulder into West’s back. Obviously Horry was supposed to keep heading towards the basket, because that’s where his teammate Manu Ginobli’s pass is headed.

Some are pointing out Horry’s hit on Steve Nash from last year as another indication of a ‘Cheap Shot Rob’ play, and I can’t disagree. The sad thing is, I’ve been watching Horry commit cheap shots for years. Back when he was on the Lakers, I used to shake my head at how refs were oblivious to the subtle jabs, eye pokes, and elbows Horry got away with. It was a little easier to deal with when Horry was still capable of producing, coming up with clutch play after clutch play. Now that he’s in the twilight of his career, it seems that Horry is depending more on cheap shots than his skills to help his team win.

Last year Horry single handedly changed the series between the Spurs and Suns after hip checking Steve Nash into the side lines, a move so uncalled for two suns players jumped off the bench to rush over to defend their point guard.