Los Angeles Lakers: The post-playing legacy of the Showtime Lakers

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 29: (L-R) Jamaal Wilkes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Byron Scott, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Mitch Kupchak pose for a picture during a press conference to introduce Byron Scott as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Sports Center on July 29, 2014 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

James Worthy’s post-Los Angeles Lakers career:

“Big Game” James’s career was surprisingly short, retiring at a relatively young age of 32 years old. Instead of rising, in the wake of Magic Johnson’s shocking retirement, injuries kept him anchored to the ground and would eventually lead to early retirement.

Still in his 30s, he could have helped the Los Angeles Lakers transition from the Showtime era to a new era and cemented his career as a basketball legend. But a bad knee, which was surgically repaired, kept bothering him, putting an end to his playing days.

As far as we know, Worthy did not pursue a career on the bench or in management, but he dedicated himself to studio analysis, working for Time Warner Cable SportsNet, which he keeps doing to this day.

As a Lakers legend, he was the right individual to follow and comment on the team through the season for LA’s public, and he has seen his former team evolve and transform through many different eras.

James has developed in a good TV personality, enjoyable to listen in his analysis, albeit sometimes too optimistic on Lakers’ side, and a positive studio presence. He serves as a reminder of days of past glory for Laker fans.

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