- Basketball is a team game no matter how great individuals might be
- Superstars need their teammates to show up or else they can’t win
- Every elite player in history has needed a role player to come and save the day
In the fast-paced world of professional basketball, the spotlight often shines brightest on the superstars who dazzle with their extraordinary skills and game-changing performances. Yet, hidden within the layers of the game are the unsung heroes – the role players – who, with their unwavering dedication and clutch moments, have risen to the occasion and rescued their superstar teammates from the brink of defeat.
- John Paxson – Game 6, 1993 NBA Finals
- Robert Horry – Game 3, 1995 NBA Finals
- Steve Kerr – Game 6, 1997 NBA Finals
- Robert Horry – Game 4, 2002 Western Conference Finals
- Derek Fisher – Game 5, 2004 Western Conference Semifinals
- Robert Horry – Game 5, 2005 NBA Finals
- Derek Fisher – Game 4, 2009 NBA Finals
- Ron Artest – Game 7, 2010 NBA Finals
- Jason Terry – Game 5, 2011 NBA Finals
- Ray Allen – Game 6, 2013 NBA Finals
These are the individuals who have defied expectations, stepping up when it matters most to change the course of a game or even a championship. In this article, we delve into the inspiring stories of 10 NBA role players who transformed into heroes, altering the narrative and etching their names in the annals of basketball history.
Their contributions may not always make the headlines, but their impact on the court is undeniable. Join us as we celebrate these underappreciated players who, when the stakes were highest, managed to save superstar players by acting as heroes.
John Paxson – Game 6, 1993 NBA Finals
Game Result: Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns 99-98
John Paxson’s game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals, orchestrated by deft passes from the legendary Michael Jordan and Horace Grant, epitomizes the essence of championship-caliber basketball. As the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns battled in a climactic showdown, the weight of the moment rested on Jordan’s shoulders. Facing intense defensive pressure, Jordan’s court awareness and unselfishness shone through as he drew multiple defenders toward him, creating a critical opening.
In a split-second decision, Jordan’s pinpoint pass found Paxson stationed beyond the three-point arc. Paxson’s readiness and basketball IQ were on full display as he seamlessly caught the ball and unleashed his shot with fluid precision. The swish of the net as the ball found its mark not only clinched the Bulls’ third consecutive NBA championship but also encapsulated the trust, teamwork, and clutch performance essential to success on the grandest stage. Paxson’s shot, made possible by Jordan’s genius and vision, serves as a timeless reminder of the indelible moments that define basketball history.
Robert Horry – Game 3, 1995 NBA Finals
Game Result: Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic 106-103
Robert Horry’s unforgettable three-pointer during Game 3 of the 1995 NBA Finals remains a testament to the pivotal role players can play in high-stakes moments. With the Houston Rockets leading the Orlando Magic by only one point with 35 seconds left, the focus naturally gravitated toward superstar Hakeem Olajuwon. However, it was Horry, a skilled and clutch performer, who seized the opportunity.
As the clock ticked down to 15 seconds, Olajuwon’s presence near the basket drew the Magic’s defense, creating a crucial opening. With lightning-quick reflexes, Horry positioned himself beyond the arc, received the kick-out pass, and unleashed a picture-perfect shot. The swish of the net signaled not only a game-clinching three-pointer but also a pivotal shift in the series momentum as the Rockets would go on to sweep the Shaquille O’Neal-led Magic in the Finals.
Horry’s shot showcased the often-overlooked contributions of role players, as his poise under pressure and unwavering confidence played an integral role in shaping the Rockets’ path to their second consecutive championship. Not to mention, the legacy of “Big Shot Bob” would be born.
Steve Kerr – Game 6, 1997 NBA Finals
Game Result: Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz 90-86
Steve Kerr let Michael Jordan know that he was ready if his number was called. And boy, what it called. Steve Kerr’s game-winning shot in the 1997 NBA Finals showcased the art of precision and composure under the most intense pressure. As the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz battled in a pivotal Game 6, the contest was locked in a tight struggle at 86 points. With the score tied and just five seconds remaining, the focus naturally gravitated toward Michael Jordan, the iconic centerpiece of the Bulls’ dynasty.
Yet, it was Kerr, an unassuming role player, who found himself thrust into a defining moment. As the Jazz defense collapsed on Jordan, he made a split-second decision that encapsulated his basketball IQ and trust in his teammates. Passing to Kerr, who had positioned himself at the perimeter, was a testament to Jordan’s court vision and understanding of the game’s nuances. Kerr’s response was a masterpiece of timing and technique. The shot, executed with flawless form, showcased his ability to maintain poise amidst the chaotic climax of a championship-deciding game. Just like that, the Bulls won their fifth NBA title.
Robert Horry – Game 4, 2002 Western Conference Finals
Game Result: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings 100-99
Big Shot Bob appears again, but this game-winner might be the most iconic in his legendary career. Robert Horry’s game-winning three-pointer in Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings stands as a quintessential example of how the smallest moments can reshape basketball history. With the Lakers trailing by two points (after coming back from a 24-point deficit) in the closing seconds and facing a potential 3-1 series deficit, the pressure was palpable.
As Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal drew the Kings’ defensive attention with both superstars missing their shots, Horry found himself in the right place at the right time. The ball bounced to him beyond the arc, and with a fluid release, he sent the shot soaring through the air. The precision and nerve required to deliver such a shot in a critical moment are a testament to Horry’s clutch gene. The shot found the bottom of the net, swinging the series momentum back in the Lakers’ favor and eventually leading to their third consecutive championship. Horry’s heroics demonstrated the significance of role players stepping up when the stakes are highest, forever solidifying his legacy as a master of clutch moments and an essential piece in the Lakers’ championship puzzle.
Derek Fisher – Game 5, 2004 Western Conference Semifinals
Game Result: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs 74-73
Is Derek Fisher’s basket with under a second left in the game the greatest and most clutch shot in NBA history? It might have been if the Lakers ended up winning the championship at the end of the year instead of falling in the Finals to the Detroit Pistons. Regardless, this shot is simply indescribable. With the game tied and just 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock, the odds were stacked against the Lakers. As the inbound pass reached Fisher, he demonstrated incredible awareness and poise, catching and releasing the shot in one fluid motion.
Amazingly, he got it off in time, and the Lakers managed to defeat the Spurs in six games before taking care of the Minnesota Timberwolves and making the Finals. Even if the Lakers could not win the title at the end of the year, this moment etched Fisher’s name into basketball lore, showcasing the capacity of unsung heroes to emerge in the most critical junctures and alter the course of a series. In the grand narrative of the sport, Fisher’s shot is another example of how a role player can save the day even if Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are on the floor.
Robert Horry – Game 5, 2005 NBA Finals
Game Result: San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons 96-95
Guess who? The most clutch role player of all time. Robert Horry’s game-winning shot in Game 5 of the 2005 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons exemplified the pivotal role of experienced role players in championship moments yet again. We already saw Horry’s brilliance for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, and he did it with the San Antonio Spurs as well.
With the Spurs down by two and mere seconds remaining in the game, the Spurs looked to close out the game and take a critical series lead. The Spurs inbounded to Manu Ginobili on the wing, and he was trapped only to find Big Shot Bob open from three. Horry’s shot not only secured the game but also turned the tide of the series, giving the Spurs a commanding 3-2 lead en route to their championship victory at the end of the playoffs. If there is one player that opponents feared at the end of the game, it was Horry, with a vast amount of space to shoot the ball.
Derek Fisher – Game 4, 2009 NBA Finals
Game Result: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic 99-91
Right behind Robert Horry in the all-time clutch role-player list is Derek Fisher. He already had the 0.4-second shot that swishes through the net in the 2004 NBA Playoffs, but he managed to come through for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers once again five years later. In the 2009 Finals, the Lakers were locked in battle with the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic in Game 4, with the series standing 2-1.
A chance to go up 3-1 was in the balance, with the Lakers down 87-84 with 10 seconds left. Fisher receives the ball at the full court and attacks before pulling up over Jameer Nelson to tie the game and force overtime. In the overtime period, Kobe Bryant was double-teamed in the post with 33 seconds left, and Fisher received the pass before draining another clutch three-pointer which would prove to be the final momentum swing as the Lakers would win the game and go on to win the series in five games. Without Fisher’s brilliance in Game 4, this series could have gone either way.
Ron Artest – Game 7, 2010 NBA Finals
Game Result: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics 83-79
Everybody in the building was mentally screaming NOOO once Ron Artest decided to take Kobe Bryant’s pass and shoot the three over Paul Pierce with 1:01 left in a pivotal Game 7. However, Artest proved to be the smartest person on the court as his shot went in and gave the Lakers a 6-point lead. Game 7 in the 2010 Finals was an ugly game, with not one player having a solid shooting night, including Bryant, who was 6-24 from the field.
However, a double-team forced Bryant to kick it to Artest, and instead of giving it back to the Mamba, Artest took the pressure on his back and delivered. No doubt, this shot was one of the biggest in Lakers’ history because the Boston Celtics had to literally fight back and try to climb a mountain to win the championship. However, the Lakers ended up winning the game 83-79 and completing back-to-back title seasons.
Jason Terry – Game 5, 2011 NBA Finals
Game Result: Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat 112-103
Jason Terry was clutch throughout the 2011 NBA Playoffs in one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. The Dallas Mavericks were not supposed to be defeating the Miami Heat at all because it was the first season in which LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh came together to form the only true superteam in the league. With Dirk Nowitzki constantly getting denied the ball and double-teamed, Jason Terry had to step up and help the superstar.
Out of all his clutch shots, the dagger in Game 5 over LeBron James was the most memorable. The Mavericks were up by four points with 40 seconds left and Terry decided to ignore Nowitzki on the pick-and-roll to take a contested three-pointer in The King’s face. It swished through, and the Mavericks ripped the heart and soul of the Heat superteam, only to win Game 6 and complete one of the greatest underdog championship seasons ever.
Ray Allen – Game 6, 2013 NBA Finals
Game Result: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs 103-100
Oh boy, no matter what anyone says, Ray Allen’s shot was legacy-changing for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat superteam. If not for Allen’s shot, Miami does not win back-to-back titles, and the “Heatles” would be considered nothing but a disaster with two losses in three Finals appearances. However, Allen was not going to let this iconic roster featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh go to waste. Instead, he completely saved the day and ripped out the souls of the San Antonio Spurs.
With the Spurs up three points with 18 seconds left, the Heat tried to tie it up with a LeBron James three-pointer that rims out, only for Chris Bosh to grab the offensive rebound and kick it to a falling back Ray Allen, who drains the game-tying three-pointer. Allen’s shot forces the overtime period, and Miami ends up winning the game 103-100 before capturing Game 7 to win the championship. Instead of the Spurs going home with a ring, they had to face defeat at the hands of a 37-year-old Allen, who is truly one of the greatest shooters of all time.
