Los Angeles Lakers legends James Worthy and Robert Horry reflected on Shaquille O’Neal’s decision to leave the Orlando Magic for the Lakers in 1996, with Horry highlighting how the move helped establish greater player freedom in the NBA.
Speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson for #WordsWithScoop, Horry described O’Neal’s free agency decision as an important moment for players seeking greater control over their careers.
“When you come into the NBA, you don’t have a choice where you go. You get drafted, and you have to go there,” Horry said. “Having the ability to go where you want to go is so important, and I think him doing that set a precedent that was so great.”
Horry added that the significance of such moments can sometimes be overlooked, despite their influence on future generations of players.
Worthy recalled the uncertainty surrounding O’Neal’s negotiations with Los Angeles, describing how former Lakers executive Jerry West worked to complete the deal.
“I just remember Jerry West pulling his hair out that whole week when he was trying to get Shaq,” Worthy said. “It was a lot of back and forth, a lot of phone calls. It almost didn’t happen, did happen, just kept going back and forth.”
Worthy said O’Neal’s decision to join the Lakers helped usher in another successful era for the franchise following its Showtime years.
The conversation also turned to Horry’s Hall of Fame candidacy. Horry won seven NBA championships during his career, while Worthy publicly backed his former teammate’s induction.
“Well, he will be! He’ll be there, no question—seven championships, and not only the championships, but the impact that he had on the game,” Worthy said.
Worthy praised Horry for accepting his role and contributing to championship teams without complaining, comparing that approach to his own experience as a former No. 1 overall draft pick.
Horry responded by joking that Worthy had won Finals MVP, while he had received only one vote for the award.
Asked whether his seven championships carry a different meaning in today’s era of “ring culture,” Horry questioned the idea that players frequently change teams primarily to chase titles. He said players are often trying to find the best opportunity to earn money and win.
Horry also named San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle as his humorous pick for a modern-day equivalent of Sam Cassell, explaining that the names almost rhyme, while stressing that Cassell was a unique player.
Finally, Horry predicted that the Houston Rockets would finish with a better record than the Lakers in the upcoming season. He pointed to Houston’s continuity and the expected return of Fred VanVleet, contrasting it with Los Angeles’ revamped roster.
“The Lakers got a whole new team,” Horry said. “So they’re going to have to do a lot of practice to learn each other, and are they going to have the time to gel?”
Horry said team cohesiveness was the deciding factor behind his prediction, while adding that he hoped the Lakers would find time to build chemistry.
