Los Angeles Lakers: 30 greatest individual performances in team history

Los Angeles Lakers: 30 greatest individual performances in team history: 9. James Worthy earns his nickname

It was the very definition of a classic series. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons spent the 1988 NBA Finals going back and forth. With neither side giving an inch, they found themselves in a Game 7.

The last game of the series had all of the stars. Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars created one of the best backcourts in the league. Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson always came to play when the lights were the brightest. And, of course, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are arguably the greatest at their respective positions in league history. Yet, no matter how much star power was on the court, no one’s star shined brighter than James Worthy.

The former number one overall pick and 2003 Hall of Famer was unbelievable. On the night, led both teams in scoring with 36 points and rebounding with 16. Even with Johnson on the court, Worthy was arguably the best playmaker out there, dishing 10 assists. Worthy wasn’t just jacking up shots either, he hit 68.2 percent from the field. His outrageous play would lead the Lakers to a three point win and in the process, Worthy nabbed the Finals MVP.

There was a reason why Worthy was nicknamed “Big Game James.” The bigger the stage, the better he was.