http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15822:big-shot-rob-shoots-straight-on-the-dream&catid=31:sports&Itemid=65Big Shot Rob shoots straight on the Dream, his career, and playing in Manila
by rick olivares
by rick olivares
Fourteen years ago, Sports Illustrated ran a feature where the NBA stars of yesteryear were pitted against the stars of the day. Then-Houston Rocket forward Robert Horry was pitted against former New York Knick Bill Bradley in the article.
When interviewed for the piece, Bradley, a former three-term US Senator, could only utter one word when told of the match up: “Help!”
Horry, now comfortably retired after having won seven championship rings with three different teams, was obviously pleased and surprised when told of the good senator’s comments. “For him to say that I feel very honored. I’m fortunate. One very lucky guy because few people have been able to accomplish what I’ve done,” softly said the former Alabama Crimson Tide player who seemed to be pleased with the reception of the NBA Legends who are in Manila to play an exhibition match dubbed the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge. The NBA players who will be supported by a selection from the Developmental League will tip off against Philippine Basketball Association counterparts this Friday, September 11, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Araneta Coliseum.
Solar Sports Chief Operating Officer Peter Chanliong, a Los Angeles native who is never shy to declare his devotion for the hometown Lakers, told the assembled media horde at the Fiama Ristorante in Bel Air, Makati that it was a dream for him since three of the legends participating in the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge had a purple and gold legacy – Horry, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Vlade Divac.
“Get this guy a jersey,” teased the 6’9” Horry who referred to Chanliong suiting up for the NBA team that will also count Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Vlade Divac, Tim Hardaway, and Dominique Wilkins in the line-up. The PBA contingent will feature legends Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, and Ronnie Magsanoc who will be supported by current stars Wynne Arboleda and Arwind Santos among others. The event is the biggest involving NBA players outside North America and Europe.
“I’m older than you guys,” gamely protested the boss of Solar Sports who proudly received from Abdul-Jabbar a game jersey with his surname printed on the back. “This is cool.”
In an exclusive interview with BUSINESS MIRROR, Horry although several years removed from active competition said that he looked forward to hitting some of those big shots that he made a career out of while playing for the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs in a career that saw him win seven championship rings. “It’s hard to stay away from the game that I love so much and it has been a long and joyous ride. I am happy to be able to do what I did in the league and work with great players and coaches. Sometimes when I sit back and look back, I just go, ‘Wow! I did that?’ Now hopefully we can put on a show for the fans in Manila. I keep hearing how crazy this country is about basketball.”
When asked who was the best center he ever played with, Horry who played the middle for the Crimson Tide didn’t bat an eyelash when he declared former Houston Rockets’ great Hakeem Olajuwon as the top slotman. He was so talented and could do so many different things. I’d put him on top and Tim (Duncan) and Shaquille (O’Neal) can trade places for second and third.”
Horry then paused, smiled, and made sure he was clear with his intentions, “Hey, Shaq and Tim… I love you guys, okay?”
He let out a laugh. Clearly he was having fun. With time left for one question, I asked how he’d like to be remembered. Horry who still looks lean and in game shape coolly replied: “I’m just a guy who got the opportunity to knock down some big shots for a championship or two. It can’t get any better than that."
When interviewed for the piece, Bradley, a former three-term US Senator, could only utter one word when told of the match up: “Help!”
Horry, now comfortably retired after having won seven championship rings with three different teams, was obviously pleased and surprised when told of the good senator’s comments. “For him to say that I feel very honored. I’m fortunate. One very lucky guy because few people have been able to accomplish what I’ve done,” softly said the former Alabama Crimson Tide player who seemed to be pleased with the reception of the NBA Legends who are in Manila to play an exhibition match dubbed the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge. The NBA players who will be supported by a selection from the Developmental League will tip off against Philippine Basketball Association counterparts this Friday, September 11, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Araneta Coliseum.
Solar Sports Chief Operating Officer Peter Chanliong, a Los Angeles native who is never shy to declare his devotion for the hometown Lakers, told the assembled media horde at the Fiama Ristorante in Bel Air, Makati that it was a dream for him since three of the legends participating in the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge had a purple and gold legacy – Horry, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Vlade Divac.
“Get this guy a jersey,” teased the 6’9” Horry who referred to Chanliong suiting up for the NBA team that will also count Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Vlade Divac, Tim Hardaway, and Dominique Wilkins in the line-up. The PBA contingent will feature legends Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, and Ronnie Magsanoc who will be supported by current stars Wynne Arboleda and Arwind Santos among others. The event is the biggest involving NBA players outside North America and Europe.
“I’m older than you guys,” gamely protested the boss of Solar Sports who proudly received from Abdul-Jabbar a game jersey with his surname printed on the back. “This is cool.”
In an exclusive interview with BUSINESS MIRROR, Horry although several years removed from active competition said that he looked forward to hitting some of those big shots that he made a career out of while playing for the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs in a career that saw him win seven championship rings. “It’s hard to stay away from the game that I love so much and it has been a long and joyous ride. I am happy to be able to do what I did in the league and work with great players and coaches. Sometimes when I sit back and look back, I just go, ‘Wow! I did that?’ Now hopefully we can put on a show for the fans in Manila. I keep hearing how crazy this country is about basketball.”
When asked who was the best center he ever played with, Horry who played the middle for the Crimson Tide didn’t bat an eyelash when he declared former Houston Rockets’ great Hakeem Olajuwon as the top slotman. He was so talented and could do so many different things. I’d put him on top and Tim (Duncan) and Shaquille (O’Neal) can trade places for second and third.”
Horry then paused, smiled, and made sure he was clear with his intentions, “Hey, Shaq and Tim… I love you guys, okay?”
He let out a laugh. Clearly he was having fun. With time left for one question, I asked how he’d like to be remembered. Horry who still looks lean and in game shape coolly replied: “I’m just a guy who got the opportunity to knock down some big shots for a championship or two. It can’t get any better than that."
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