Hall of fame and seven time NBA world champion Robert Horry has stated he believes LeBron James can pass some of the all-time greats, and end up with perhaps the second most championships of all time.
Horry collected seven historic championships during his time with the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and the Los Angeles Lakers. In NBA history, he only trails Tom Sanders, K.C. Jones, Tom Heinsohn, John Havlicek with eight, Sam Jones with ten, and the legendary Bill Russell with eleven total NBA Championshipd. Many NBA fans see Horry’s achievements as perhaps the most impressive, as he won championships in a more competitive and advanced era, but “big shot Rob” thinks the King can be right up there with the other historic names for total number of championship rings.
RELATED: Carmelo Anthony doesn’t understand how J.R. Smith is still unsigned
In an interview with Max Resetar of SLAM Magazine, Horry claimed LeBron could be the one to surpass his achievements, and believes his best basketball is still ahead of him.
Resetar: Do you think we’ll ever see someone win seven championships again?
Horry: I look at LeBron James, the fact that he started out so young. He’s somebody that can do a lot of things. He’s probably going to play about six more years, the way he keeps his body up, the machine that he is,” says Horry. “He could have the opportunity to bypass me and get close to, I’m not going to say Bill, but I’d say Sam Jones. Sam had 10. I think he’d be close to that range, if he’s able to stay healthy and he stays in the right situation.”
If Horry is correct in his statement, it would leave little doubt who the greatest player of all time truly is. There would be no argument, as the three-to-six ring comparison is the only ammunition people have to discredit his greatness or not label him as the greatest of all time (or ‘GOAT’) already. James has always possessed the talent to be on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore, and now he’s added three championships as well as another Finals MVP to further solidify his case.
RELATED: LeBron James frustrated with Cavs-J.R. Smith contract stalemate
James recently signed a three-year deal with the Cavaliers, which only further indicates his happiness with the situation he’s in to not only continue to be successful and compete for championships, but also be at home where he truly belongs. With the main core of the team in Kyrie Irving (24 years old), Kevin Love (28 years old), and Tristan Thompson (25 years old) being relatively young, there is no reason the Cavs shouldn’t be on the doorstep of the NBA Finals every season. Furthermore, all three of those players still have their best basketball ahead of them under head coach Tyronn Lue. Along with other promising young talent, if the Cavaliers continue to surround LeBron with savvy veterans and productive pieces, the Cavs should be competing for championships for the foreseeable future.
With James continuing to convey his message of winning and chasing greatness this summer, Cavs fans as well as NBA fans in general should be excited about what the King can achieve next. Buckle those seatbelts, sit back, and enjoy the ride, because the King isn’t done yet.