Would you rather be Karl Malone or Robert Horry?

Oh, I'd pick Barkley. I hate Fisher, that lucky son of a bitch

I have to admit, in some ways I would prefer Karl Malone's career because of the personal success not to mention the greater wealth it would generate. However, I go back to the Jerry West analogy - most would consider his career successful, he even won a championship in 1972, but he's often looked back on his playing career with a hint of bitterness.

For those of us not blessed with the physical gifts or talents of one of the all-time greats - specifically the players that achieved both personal and team success - a career like Robert Horry's isn't too bad. A significant role on some great teams that won the ultimate prize in the NBA, moments of personal glory and financial security.

I can't fault anyone for choosing Malone's career over Horry's, like I said in some ways I'd prefer it too. But I'd personally be quite satisfied being a Robert Horry-type player if I couldn't be one of the league's best players as well as one of the most successful - the Jordans, Birds, Magics and Russells throughout history.

But I'd personally be quite satisfied being a Robert Horry-type player if I couldn't be one of the league's best players as well as one of the most successful - the Jordans, Birds, Magics and Russells throughout history.

I believe any true basketball fan like me or you would appreciate being in Horry's position... but would prefer being in Karl's position and lead on to fight for that elusive ring...

It depends on the person. Some may want to have a lesser role in a team but still be able to decide some games (crucial games) with your plays, that eventually will turn into a championship. No matter if you're not the go-to guy for the whole game, you're still there when it matters.

But others, would choose beign the Superstar of the team, choosing the personal records, beign remembered as one of the All-time greats, etc.

Well, that was a pretty stupid post, IMO Maybe it's a matter of personalities. I'm not the type of guy who wants to be in the spotlight all the time. If I can help the team, it's good. If I'm on the court in a close game with 2 minutes left, quietly doing my job, it's great. If a score the game-winning bucket, it's even better

So you're saying his carreer has been for nothing because he didn't get a ring? Just because he didn't get to that ultimate goal doesn't mean he's worth less than a guy who just was there to help when his number was called, and nothing else... I'd like to see defenses adjusting to Horry during the final minutes of close games like they did on Malone, and then we might see who we would ( inexcusably and unjustifiably ) call a worthless bench player...

lol no, i already mentioned how karl malone is a great player and all that good stuff so i don't know what that's all about

My point exactly... I myself am a Warriors fan... I don't expect us to get the title next year, I'll be kept interested by the fight to reach th eplayoffs after 10 yeasr of drought... Baby steps, getting better and better than what you were previously and slowly overmatching your opposition, that's what team sports is all about...

true but the jazz weren't the warriors. they were championship contenders for some time. winning their divsion or getting homecourt advangtage were tall accomplishments but they were gunning for the title each year.

lol no, i already mentioned how karl malone is a great player and all that good stuff so i don't know what that's all about

Yes, we agree on that one...

true but the jazz weren't the warriors. they were championship contenders for some time. winning their divsion or getting homecourt advangtage were tall accomplishments but they were gunning for the title each year.

My point exactly... different situations, different goals, all conributing to the game being exciting... the end goal of getting a ring was just a means to make the game exciting... That is the TRUE destination for all concerned, both the players. staff and fans alike...

I'd rather be Karl Malone because of his tremendous and legendary career full of awards and personal recognition. Even though he had the luck to taste a Nba Championship ring, he still got a gold medal (not sure how many he has, i'm guessing just the one from 1992.) Robert Horry has just been lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and be a valuable but not exceptional contributor to his team's success.

I'd rather be Karl Malone because of his tremendous and legendary career full of awards and personal recognition. Even though he had the luck to taste a Nba Championship ring, he still got a gold medal (not sure how many he has, i'm guessing just the one from 1992.) Robert Horry has just been lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and be a valuable but not exceptional contributor to his team's success.

I think Malone has 2, didn't he play in the 96 Atlanta olympics as well?

Yep, he played on the USA Olympic team in 1996.

I think you guys are forgetting that Horry was a major part of Houston in the 90s. He played 30 mpg as a rookie and worked up to full starter minutes with 37 in 95.

In 95-96 he was a solid defender and athletic all-around player in the mold of Scottie Pippen with 1.63 spg 1.54 bpg 4.0 apg 5.8 rpg 12.0 ppg. He's in the record books as 5th best 3 point shooter in Rocket history and 6th best shot blocker...both amazing considering who else was on the Rockets.

Sure, you can say he got lucky with his last rings, but you can't take away the Houston rings from him....he's still got a great career as a legitimate NBA Championship player.

If you want to talk about riding coat tails to rings, you should probably dig up Steve Kerr. He's won rings with both Chicago & San Antonio, and he was at best a decent role player on both clubs.

didnt Steve Kerr hit a game winning 3 in a finals??

And he hit clutch 3's with SA against Dallas.

i would take sir charles over fisher for 2 reasons.

1 - the lakers and thier players can all go to hell

2 - Barkley tackled Shaq, and thats just coolness my friends

Last time I remember, basketball is a team sport. An MVP is nothing unless your team wins. But then again, Karl Malone did make quite a bit of money, but not too much considering what he could have earned. And the feeling of being second place, losing in the finals, is one of the worst feelings in the world. That you could've gotten there, but just for a tiny little thing, such as getting the ball stolen in the last few seconds, made you lose. Imagine that. Karl Malone is probably haunted by that vision EVERY SINGLE DAY of his life. I don't know how I'd live with that...

Well in tonight's game against the Pistons, it showed why I would rather be Horry than Malone. First off, I don't look like a steroid-attic and 2nd off he got the chance to play with 3 great players in Olajuwon, Shaq and now Duncan. He also hit the big shot tonight that won the game for the Spurs along with on his way to getting his 6th ring.

6th? Shit, I told my friend that he had 10 because I read it somewhere...
I'd rather be Horry too, he looks like Will Smith

Well in tonight's game against the Pistons, it showed why I would rather be Horry than Malone. First off, I don't look like a steroid-attic and 2nd off he got the chance to play with 3 great players in Olajuwon, Shaq and now Duncan. He also hit the big shot tonight that won the game for the Spurs along with on his way to getting his 6th ring.

Agreed, being Robert Horry seems even more appealing after Game 5.

Imagine playing this image every single time in your head...
Imagine having to see it every single time they show a Jordan replay..which happens every month or so..Imagine the pain hearing "Jordan is the best player ever.." about a trillion times...It's hard to be Malone.

After the performance last night,I'd go with Horry any day of the week.

Don't be so quick to bandwagon... I'll bet if Malone was playing now and had a game of 40 points even though his team lost, everyone would say: "Wow man, look at that dude putting up 40 points when he's 41 years old... Awesome, I want to be just like him, who cares if I ever win a title!!! "

Quite possible, though I picked Robert Horry's career before it was cool.

Quite possible, though I picked Robert Horry's career before it was cool.

It's been cool since 93/94... but The Mailman's been cooler for the past 20 years... minus the bling-bling...

But it's the bling-bling that matters to me, and others

But it's the bling-bling that matters to me, and others

Then I reinstate the Derek Fisher vs. Charles Barkley selection...

Why not be any... heck, u'd still end up rich!

When someone asked me in a recent mailbag whether I would have Horry's career (multiple rings and rich) or Barkley/Malone's careers (no rings and obscenely rich), I opted for Horry's career (and didn't even think twice). Imagine playing on five (soon to be six) championship teams, ending up with a cool nickname, making $50 million, earning the everlasting respect of everyone who ever played with or against you … and you didn't have to deal with any of the superstar BS? Have a great game, everyone notices you. Have a terrible game, nobody notices you. And that's your life. Doesn't that sound like the ultimate gig?

Link: Big Shot Bob bags another one