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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest small forwards in Lakers history

By Ed Schrenzel

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Metta World Peace #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Metta World Peace #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 11, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 02: James Worthy (L) talks to Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds at a basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 2, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/GC Images) /

No. 2: James Worthy

When you consider just how good Big Game James was, it’s remarkable that he isn’t the #1 small forward in Lakers history. On several teams, he would have been its best player ever, at any position.

Worthy was the #1 pick of the 1983 draft. The Lakers got that pick three years earlier from Cleveland in exchange for Don Ford, a pretty good but never great forward. It turned out to be one of the best trades the Lakers ever made.

In both his rookie and final years, James came off the bench. In the 10 years in-between, he almost always started, and averaged double figures in points every year. In 7 of those seasons, he was chosen for the All-Star team.

An integral part of the Showtime Lakers, he replaced Wilkes as the starting small forward and teamed with fellow stars Abdul-Jabbar, Magic, Cooper and Byron Scott to form the nucleus of what is generally regarded as the best Lakers team ever, and one of the best in NBA history. Worthy was a tremendous finisher on the fast break. And in a set offense, his remarkable quickness enabled him to beat virtually any defender off the dribble.

During his career the Lakers made it to the Finals 6 times (although he missed the 1983 Finals with a broken leg) and won 3 titles. Like Wilkes before him, Worthy also had his finest game when the spotlight shined the brightest. In Game 7 of the 1988 Finals, he recorded his only career triple double with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Fittingly, he was named Finals MVP.

His other titles were perhaps even more meaningful because they came against the hated Celtics. James was a big factor in both championships. In fact, he’s one of the few players whose playoff stats exceed his regular season numbers.

Over his career he averaged 17.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. In the playoffs they rose to 21.1 (6th all-time among LA Lakers) and 5.2. Among LA Lakers, he is 6th in total regular season points and 7th in playoff points. He also ranks 4th in regular season games played and 8th in playoff games.
And of course, his jersey is also retired and hanging at Staples.

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