Houston Street Hooligans: Robert Horry's Latest Dirty Play

On May 14, 2007, with 18 seconds remaining in a game long out of reach, soon to be seven time NBA Champion, Robert Horry, made one of the most memorable plays of his career.

Nicknamed, “Big Shot Bob,” for his heroic clutch performances in playoff series past, Horry took one of the biggest shots of his career. But unlike his previous actions that earned him this clever moniker, this shot was neither clutch, nor heroic. It can only be described as cheap.

In last seasons' playoffs, as millions of NBA fans can remember, Horry needlessly hip-checked Suns point guard, Steve Nash, sending the two-time MVP winner crashing into the scorers’ table.

Horry was rightfully ejected and suspended for his action, but the ensuing altercation left the Suns to play out the series short handed after the team’s leading scorer, Amare Stoudemire, and roll playing big man, Boris Diaw, drew one game suspensions for leaving the bench.

It can be argued how much the suspensions of Stoudemire and Diaw affected the series, but many believe that this single play changed the recent history of the NBA.

The Spurs went on to win the series in six games, and weeks later captured their fourth championship in nine seasons.

But history will likely not remember the Spurs’ yawn-inducing five game series against the Jazz, or the too easy four game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

History will remember Horry’s dirty play.

Now flash forward one year and one day from Horry’s vicious slide step against Steve Nash, and you will find another eventual footnote in the long and successful career of Robert Horry.

With 10 minutes to play in game six of the Western Conference semi-finals, the Spurs were comfortably leading the visiting New Orleans Hornets by 21 points.

As Spurs guard, Manu Ginobli, attempted a shot from the baseline, Horry propelled his shoulder sharply into the already sore back of Hornets’ all-star forward, David West.

West immediately fell to the ground, his left arm awkwardly clutching his back as he writhed on the floor in pain.

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