Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) talks with James Worthy during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
2. James Worthy
For most of his career Worthy played “Robin” to Johnson’s “Batman,” so no one really knows what he might have achieved had he been the “main man” in his prime. Still, he was an awfully good NBA player, and no one would dispute his ranking as the number 2 small forward in franchise history.
Born in Gastonia, Georgia, Worthy led his high school team to the state championship game. For the season he averaged 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He was a McDonald’s and Parade Magazine prep All American.
Worthy played three seasons for the North Caroline Tar Heels. His first year ended prematurely when he broke his ankle. As a sophomore, he led his team to the NCAA finals were his team finished as runner-up. His third season was the charm, as the Tar Heels were national champion and Worthy was selected Outstanding Player in the tournament.
The Lakers had won the NBA title the year before, but in an odd twist, they ended up with the first choice in the 1982 draft where they made Worthy the No. 1 selection. During the course of his career, which ended in 1993, the team won three NBA titles and Worthy appeared in seven consecutive All-Star games.
Worthy may have played second fiddle to Johnson but he was formidable in his own right, often at his best in the playoffs. His speed on the fast break came to define the Showtime Era for the Lakers. When Johnson shocked the world with his retirement in November 1991,Worthy finally had the opportunity to be the team’s undisputed leader.
Worthy soldiered on for three more seasons but was often injured and the team foundered. Unfortunately, Johnson’s sudden absence and injuries took their toll on Worthy, so the team foundered. He retired in November 1994, although injuries to his knees and ankle had long since robbed him of his trademark quickness.
After his retirement, Worthy was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame and voted one of the top 50 players in league history. Eventually the Lakers retired his number 42 jersey, where it hangs next to those of other team legends.
Worthy continues to be a well-known figure to young Lakers fans today by virtue of his role as a local broadcaster. In recent years he has anchored Time Warner Cable’s Access Sportsnet Lakers where he appears before and after every game providing analysis of Laker games and the occasional interview.
Next: Elgin Baylor