Robert Horry: The Definition of a Role Player

Horry! Horry! Horry! Horry! Horry!

Robert Horry, or Big Shot Rob, was always known for coming up huge down the stretch. Arguably the finest shot in his 16-year career came in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings in 2002, when his game-winner capped off a Lakers comeback from as much as a 24-point deficit in the first half.

He was never the guy to score 25-30 points per game. He was never the Vince Carter-type showman.

But Horry didn't need to do anything of that, because he was just the best role player a teammate or a coach could ever ask for.

Quality One: A Role Player must fill up the depth chart with his versatility

Horry has played with three of the greatest big men in NBA history in Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

However, he was a starter with O'Neal and Olajuwon for good reason: He fit perfectly down low with them.

As we all know, Horry is obviously a great shooter at his power forward position. Next to a low-post banger such as O'Neal and Olajuwon, a team typically has a shooting power forward.

But, Horry could also play like a small-forward when he caught the ball on the perimeter.

In his younger days with the Rockets and the Lakers, a defender would definitely need to respect his shooting touch. Because of this, the younger, quicker, and more athletic Horry could also drive the ball inside to make an easy layup or dunk, because at 6'10", no one was blocking the shot.

Not only is Horry an accomplished and legitimate threat to score, but he also was a very good passer. He also did not turn the ball over often at all due to quality ball handling skills. Over his career, he held a low average of 1.24 turnovers in 24.5 minutes.

And then, on the defensive end, Horry could guard the majority of the big men in the NBA and then recover to crash the boards. He was fairly foul prone, but a coach doesn't mind about one foul per 10 minutes from a big man.

Because of his versatility, Horry filled the depth chart since he could play at either forward position as well as center.

So far, Horry looks like a power forward version of Lamar Odom, doesn't he?

Well, there is even more to him.

Quality Two: A Role Player has confidence and plays hard the entire game

The point of a role player is to play at their strengths. Role players aren't meant to mix it up if they are not performing well in one area of the game.

If their shot is not falling, they are not going to stop shooting the ball. They will continue to think that the next shot is going in.

This is exactly how Horry played the game.

In a role player's head, there is no such thing as an "off night." No one is to blame the role player for a loss, because there are a lot of things they do that don't go into the stats.

If they are having a poor shooting night, they will still wait for the next shooting opportunity and won't pass up shots. They will play the game the same way 100 percent through, which will include doing normal things such as passing, rebounding, and defense.

Role players don't have to be consistent—that's what the stars are for. Instead, they are meant to make the stars shine like stars.

Quality Three: A Role Player plays like a seasoned veteran throughout their career

Horry may have played in the league for 16 years, but ever since he was a rookie, he has always played like an experienced, fundamentally sound, and seasoned veteran.

How?

While someone such as Ray Allen may spend his entire life perfecting his shooting, a role player strengthens all of the basketball skills. Not every skill will be perfected, but every skill will have an impact on the game.

This is why it doesn't matter if a player's shot does not fall, because they have other skills to bounce on.

Thus, with this matured game, they play like veterans. There are some things that they will seem to know better than superstars, even if they are rookies.

Quality Four: A Role Player is humble

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