Mark Berman's Blog

Forward Robert Horry has ruled out retirement and wants to return to the NBA for a 17th season. Included in his reasons is to add his collection of NBA Championship rings which stands at seven. Only six NBA players have won more in league history.

Horry will become a free agent July 1.

"I don't want to retire, especially after a year like I had last year," Horry said. "I know I could have had a better year. The year started off crazy for me with family issues and then it ended crazy for me getting hurt right at the end of the season.

"I didn't get a full season in like I wanted to see if it's really time for me to retire. My last game I want to walk off the court sweating, My last game so far I walked off the court with a DNP (did not play) and I don't want it to happen that way."

Horry said he would like to return to the San Antonio Spurs where he spent the last five seasons and if that's not possible then he would like to go to the Houston Rockets where he played his first four seasons in the league.

"My pecking order is I will contact San Antonio of course, then Houston" Horry said. "Orlando and New Orleans are tied. Since I have a relationship with (Hornets head coach) Byron Scott, I probably will pick New Orleans third and then Orlando and then Dallas."

Horry acknowledges it would be fun to finish his career with the Rockets.

"Playing with Yao and Tracy would be like playing with Shaq and Kobe," Horry said.

Horry said his desire to continue playing is not about making more money.

"It's not about breaking the bank," Horry said. "I just want the minimum. I've made enough money.

"I just like being with the guys and competing and having fun."

Horry, known as "Big Shot Bob", for the many times he has won games with crucial shots, is proud of the fact that only six players in NBA history have won more championship rings than him.

"That's one of the things I always wanted to do throughout my career, prove people wrong," Horry said. "Coming out of high school Dick Vitale called me the most overated high school player in the country.  (I) proved him wrong.

"Getting booed by the fans here, (draft night in Houston), proved them wrong. Played 16 years in the league so far, been on great teams and make people better around me. That's been a great thrill."