While the 2012-13 season is still over a month away from tipoff, many NBA fans and pundits have been quick to name the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat the participants of the 2013 NBA Finals.
If only it were that easy.
Among those that are skeptical of the Lakers' Finals chances are former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry, who had a few Finals appearances in purple and gold.
While the Lakers had a big offseason, bringing in Steve Nash for practically nothing and getting the best of a blockbuster deal netting them Dwight Howard, Horry, part of deep teams in San Antonio, spoke to India Today noting the Lakers weakness on the bench.
"I don't think the Lakers are going to be in the NBA Finals, despite Howard and Nash. To go deep into the play-offs, you need a strong bench, not just a great starting line-up. I still believe (last year's runners-up) Oklahoma City Thunder are the favourites in the Western Conference, and (champions) Miami of course have just gotten stronger with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis.You pick up history and you'll see the bench that outplays its opponents usually wins," Horry told Mail Today.
Horry, who is in India for a clinic, is one of few players that have room to speak on this topic, considering he's been part of seven NBA championship teams.
While the Lakers look great on paper, Horry knows the starting group can't play all 48 minutes of each game. It's a long 82-game season and the Spurs have shown even as recently as last season that a team with a deep bench can make for a tough series against talent in the starting five only.
