For anybody involved with the Los Angeles Lakers–Sacramento Kings 2002 Western Conference Finals—whether they be players, fans, or spectators—it's difficult to remove the sting of a memorable series. Nevertheless, former high-intensity foes in Scot Pollard and Robert Horry reunited off the court at a release party for the video game NBA 2K20.
Pollard, now 44 years old and retired from basketball, was a backup center for the Kings during the 2001-02 season. He posed with seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, the Big Shot maker himself and frequent enemy while he played for the Lakers.
Internet. Prepare to break. Big shot Rob and I are friends. #nba2k20 still. We should have won 😇 #wcf2002 pic.twitter.com/6OxzWAFs8c
— Scot Pollard (@ScotPollard31) September 6, 2019
The 2002 Western Conference Finals is a sore spot for Kings fans, who speculate the NBA's involvement with the series' officiating. Sacramento led the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant Lakers team 3-2, but L.A. took Games 6 and 7 to go on to the NBA Finals and succeed over the New Jersey Nets. The last two games of the series saw Sacramento whistled for 61 personal fouls, a long-standing grievance of fans, players, and coaches.
Well, it doesn't hurt Pollard, it looks like, as he poses amicably with Horry.
Speculation into how that series was officiated went as far as a court filing from former referee Tim Donaghy six years after playoff battle stating the officials were instructed to extend the series for greater ticket sales and television ratings.
Pollard would later have NBA stints with the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics before calling it a career. Pollard won a ring with Boston in his final year in the league, 2007-08, although he did not participate in Boston's playoff run and Finals victory over the Lakers.
Horry would complete the three-peat with the Lakers in 2002 and win two more rings with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005 and 2007.
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