You would think that a man with seven NBA championships under his belt would be cool as ice before every game, right? After all, we’re talking about Robert Horry—“Big Shot Bob” himself. But on a recent episode of the Big Shot Bob Podcast, things took a surprising turn when a fan asked Horry a question about pressure and nerves. What followed wasn’t just a story about Game 7s—it was a twist that peeled back the curtain on the mind of one of the most clutch performers in NBA playoff history.
The question came after a thrilling Nuggets-Thunder Game 7 series, and it was a good one: “What’s the best team Rob has been a part of that had to fight through a six or seven-game series? And did you ever feel nervous going into a Game 7?” Horry didn’t hesitate in naming the Portland Trail Blazers. “Conference finals, we knew whoever won that game was going to win an NBA championship. That one was the toughest.” Now, you’d expect Horry to be confident and show his grin when hitting the playoffs. You might be shocked by his answer when asked about nervousness…it’s unexpected from a giant like the 6’10” Horry. Well, thanks to the fan! Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known about it.
“I get nervous before every game,” Horry admitted. “The last time I wasn’t nervous was my last couple games in the league where I just didn’t give a s*** no more because I knew I was done.” That’s honesty you don’t hear every day. The fear to prove anyone, anymore, was gone. He added, “Plus, I got my first DMP. So when I got that first DMP, the nervousness kind of went out of me.” This was the turning point—the moment nerves gave way to calm. It showed how no matter what the game is, Horry always took the matches seriously till the end. And the moment he didn’t…he was close to hanging his boots. That moment, the legend of Big Shot Bob shifted from a man who was finishing the game to someone who was not fighting for it.
What makes this story hit harder is the irony. Here’s a guy known for hitting game-winners with ice in his veins, saying he was nervous every time out… except when he knew he was near the end. “Every game I ever played in my life, I’ve been nervous except for preseason games.” It shows you how much emotion goes into greatness. It’s not always swagger—it’s fear, pressure, adrenaline, and then still doing the job.
Horry’s story is all the more compelling because his nervousness wasn’t a flaw, but an integral part of his preparation. He learned to live with the pressure, not escape it. The lesson? It’s natural to feel nervous. Whether it was a first-round matchup or a Game 7 in the Conference Finals, Horry felt it all—and still rose above.
Robert Horry’s playoff record over the years
Horry has had his share of clutch performances for four teams in the playoffs. While competing against the Clippers, he acquired 6.4 points for the Rockets in 1993 and 13.0 against the Supersonics. He averaged 10.3 points in the Knicks series ’94. “We weren’t down like that,” he said as he won his first championship. In 1995, he came out big, scoring 17.8 points against the Magic to win his second championship.
Come next, his role was altered but not impacted by the Lakers’ trade. In the year 2000, he performed commendably in the championship against the Pacers and averaged 9.2 points, which helped him get the ring again. In the Finals against the 76ers and the Nets, respectively, in 2001 and 2002, he averaged 8.4 and 8.0 points. Traded to the Spurs, Horry kept delivering.
In the year 2005, he managed to push their tally to 10.6 points playing against the Pistons to take another championship. Not just that, in game 5, Horry, in the last minutes, knocked down his fifth and final 3-pointer of the night to give the Spurs a 96-95 overtime win and a 3-2 series lead, only to seal it 4-3 later. In the 2007 Finals against the Cavaliers, he only had 3.0 points, but he was there! He said he feels like he’s been nervous at every game he’s ever played in his life. But his stats sure do scream clutch.
In 2008, Robert Horry’s last-ever playoff with the Spurs was quiet, 2.3 points against the Suns. 0.5 against the Lakers. That DNP he mentioned? At this point, the nerves go away as he retires. Whether it was the Rockets or the Spurs, Horry’s 16-year playoff run was more than just a nickname. He was human and showed it by making big shots while feeling the pressure.
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