Robert Horry recently appeared on the podcast “Road Trippin' with RJ and Channing” and discussed Derek Fisher‘s game winner that took place in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. The shot was taken and made with 0.4 seconds left on the clock, putting a dagger in the hearts of the Spurs and their fans.
According to Horry, it was head coach Gregg Popovich‘s fault for Fisher finding an opening to squeeze off the game-winner. Transcribed by Alysha Tsuji of USA TODAY Sports:
“The funny part is if I'd have did what I wanted to do, we would've won that game.
“So Pop doesn't like Kobe. He was like, ‘I don't like him. I don't want him to hit a game-winner,' and so he says, ‘Rob, when Kobe comes off, just guard him.'
“I was like, ‘No, you want the ball to go away from the basket.'
“Where I was standing, Kobe comes off, I actually did this, ‘One thousand one, no I shouldn't do it, (expletive) it, I gotta do what the coach says.'
“So I run over to Kobe, the spot I leave, kicks it right to Fish, Fish catches and turns. I'm looking to Pop the whole time like, ‘See, if you make 'em throw 'em out that way, away from the basket, going this way and turning,' I'm like, ‘Really?'
“I was just shaking my head, and after that. It was a wrap.”
It seems like the moment is engrained into Horry's memory, as he seemed to clearly remember everything that took place in those final moments. The Lakers went on to win the series but lost to a great Detroit Pistons team in the NBA Finals. If that shot didn't happen, it would have changed the entire series (L.A. finished off the series in six). Some things just stick with you forever.
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