The Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed one of their golden eras in the 1980s, when Pat Riley was the head coach and the roster featured superstars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That same team also included <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">James Worthy</a>, who recently shared his all-time NBA starting five.



In a 2024 conversation with his former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a> teammate Byron Scott, Worthy was tasked with putting together his ultimate team based on players he watched before, during, and after his own career. Naturally, the former forward leaned toward players he either played alongside or faced on the court.



“Magic at one,” James began, in a pick that was almost a given. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/magic-johnson">Earvin Johnson</a> is considered by many—including Michael Jordan—the greatest point guard of all time. It makes sense that one of his Lakers teammates would echo that sentiment. Together, Magic and Worthy won three titles in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Before that, the guard had also won championships in 1980 and 1982.



“MJ at two,” the former forward continued, referring to the shooting guard in his imaginary lineup. In this case, he admitted it wasn’t an easy call between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan">Jordan</a> and Bryant. “Oh, I left Kobe out. It’s hard. I love Kobe, but MJ… I got to touch MJ a little bit before Kobe.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250613_BUS_417347_Michael-Jordan-1992-1024x576_69acbf84.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-402477" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/21144006/Michael-Jordan-1992.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>James Worthy picked Michael Jordan as his favorite shooting guard.</figcaption></figure>



“My small forward? I need me a scorer, man. I got to go with Larry,” Worthy said next. The pick highlights how impactful <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/larry-bird">Bird</a> was during his playing years, especially considering the Boston Celtics were the Lakers’ main rivals in the 1980s.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/lakers-legend-james-worthy-names-the-greatest-nba-player-of-all-time"></div>

 

 


When it came to power forward, James voiced his dilemma. “It’s between Tim Duncan or Karl Malone,” he said. The debate underscored a key question: whether to go with a rival from his playing days, like Malone of the Utah Jazz, or a younger star like Duncan. “I’m going to go with Karl Malone at four.”



For the final spot, Worthy didn’t hesitate. “Kareem is my center,” he said, in another obvious pick given <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul--jabbar">Abdul-Jabbar</a>’s impact and enduring legacy in the NBA. Still, he acknowledged it wasn’t an easy choice: “That’s a tough decision because there’s some bad (expletive) out there.”



After naming his all-time <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> starting five, James Worthy was asked to pick his all-time Lakers team. Unsurprisingly, he repeated two of the names from his previous list, while adding a few more: “Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor… That would be my five,” said the three-time NBA champion.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="684b87d09a59e2e0ea8f71ae" data-title="Do you agree with James Worthy?" data-options="2"></div>

Lakers legend James Worthy picks the greatest starting 5 in NBA history

Lakers and Heat legend Pat Riley names the greatest NBA player of all time

Legendary point guard Magic Johnson selects his top 5 all-time Lakers players

Lakers legend James Worthy picks the greatest starting 5 in NBA history - Bolavip US

miniaturas

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> featured dominant stars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during the 1980s, yet James Worthy still earned his place. He rose to the challenge and became one of the era’s top players. Throughout his career, Worthy spent significant time alongside Kareem. Because of that experience, he drew a compelling comparison between Abdul-Jabbar and another Lakers’ legend, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kobe-bryant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe Bryant</a>.



“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a great physics player…Kobe’s that kind of player. He studies space and steps, and whatever it takes to give him an edge. And I think that’s what he does that puts him up and beyond most players,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Worthy</a> said, via the Washington Post.



During his 1.560 NBA games, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul--jabbar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a> averaged 24.6 points. He also added 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Beyond the numbers, he established his dominance with a legendary résumé. He earned six MVP awards and shattered scoring records. His all-time scoring mark stood firm for 38 years, cementing his status among the greatest.



Moreover, both legends influence extended beyond the court. James Worthy, a Lakers icon himself, has repeatedly named Abdul-Jabbar the greatest of all time. However, he still acknowledges the lasting impact Kobe made. He recognizes the legacy Kobe built across 20 unforgettable years with the franchise.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="559" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250527_BUS_405568_karem-kobe-1024x559_bd2c5694.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=559" alt="kareem-kobe" class="wp-image-405570" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/26195150/karem-kobe-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/26195150/karem-kobe-300x164.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/26195150/karem-kobe-768x419.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/26195150/karem-kobe-1536x838.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/26195150/karem-kobe.jpg 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Los Angeles Lakers stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant.</figcaption></figure>



Kobe Bryant played 1.346 games within the franchise and averaged 25 points. He contributed 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest. More importantly, his relentless discipline and mental toughness transformed the Lakers. He changed the team’s identity and inspired a new competitive standard.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/lakers-star-luka-doncic-outlines-clear-plan-to-improve-his-performance-in-2025-26-season"></div>


<h2>James Worthy gives high praise on Kobe Bryant’s impressive work ethic ‘Kobe had an old-school mentality’</h2>



Beyond his championships and stats with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant built a lasting legacy through an unmatched work ethic. His teammates, including Shaquille O’Neal, often said he arrived early to practice and stayed long after it ended. This mindset was not just routine; it was his identity. He called it the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ a personal code focused on hard work, chasing dreams, and constantly getting better.



That commitment stood out to legends who came before him. In a 2003 interview with The Washington Post, Lakers great James Worthy explained what made Kobe different. “Kobe has an old-school mentality…His work ethic is second to none, and I think he’s totally aware of what he’s had to do to get better each year…A lot of guys depend on their athleticism and what they’ve done in the past. He does a lot to make himself better.“

Lakers’ legend James Worthy reveals surprising similarity between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant

Lakers legend James Worthy calls out what went wrong in the Luka Doncic trade

Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reveals the toughest NBA player he ever faced

Lakers’ legend James Worthy reveals surprising similarity between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> wrapped up their NBA season in disappointing fashion, falling well short of the championship expectations that came with the blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic. Touted as instant contenders following the trade, the team instead unraveled down the stretch, prompting Lakers legend James Worthy to weigh in on what went wrong.



“When we did not get Mark Williams in that trade, I knew we could be successful throughout the regular season,” Worthy said on Spectrum SportsNet. “But as you know, and as we’ve seen, once you get locked into a seven-game series — look at what happened to Cleveland — things change. A lot of teams that are favored don’t always pull through. I still don’t think the synergy was ever fully there with Luka. A lot of elements were missing.”



The front office made it clear they had no intention of breaking up the LeBron James–Anthony Davis core—until Doncic became available. But since bringing in the Slovenian star, the Lakers have struggled to form a cohesive unit around their new trio. The chemistry never fully clicked, and that instability showed in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> postseason.



Worthy also revisited one of the most pivotal missteps following the Doncic trade—the failed pursuit of Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. The Lakers backed out of a deal that would’ve addressed their glaring frontcourt weakness, a decision that left them without a true starting center during the final stretch. The void proved costly in key matchups.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 "I don&apos;t think the synergy was complete with Luka." – Big Game <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesWorthy42?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesWorthy42</a> sounds off on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lakers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lakers</a>&apos; season ending, and what L.A. needs to fix this summer. 👀🔥 <a href="https://t.co/1Ecv37FoXA">pic.twitter.com/1Ecv37FoXA</a>— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpectrumSN/status/1925012418855412049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



“The bigs went away for a while, until they revolutionized themselves,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">Worthy</a> said. “Now you’ve got Jokic and other centers shooting threes. Brook Lopez was almost out of the league before he learned to shoot from deep. So, yes, the center position is huge now—especially defensively. Look at what Minnesota has done with Gobert. Not a major scorer, but a dominant rim protector. It’s guys like Bam [Adebayo], [Jarrett] Allen, [Evan] Mobley—athletic bigs who can run the floor and protect the paint.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/michael-jordans-ex-agent-stirs-goat-debate-takes-unexpected-shot-at-lebron-james"></div>

 

 


The Lakers, meanwhile, ran into a Timberwolves team that had continuity and chemistry on their side. Minnesota’s core has been together longer and it showed, with crisp execution and a defensive identity that overwhelmed L.A. in their brief postseason run.



By contrast, the Lakers were a team in transition. As Worthy emphasized, the lack of cohesion and synergy was evident. The roster underwent a major shakeup to accommodate <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Doncic</a>, and although LeBron and Davis remained, the supporting cast was still adapting—leaving the team vulnerable against more established playoff squads.



Heading into the offseason, the Lakers are expected to retool once again. The priority will be building a system that leverages both LeBron and Doncic’s unique playmaking abilities, while also finding the right balance with rising contributor Austin Reaves. For now, the experiment remains a work in progress, with no guarantees of immediate success.

LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul weighs in on the veteran’s future in the NBA

Lakers legend James Worthy calls out what went wrong in the Luka Doncic trade - Bolavip US

During the 1980s, the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed a golden era, dominating the NBA and collecting several championships. That team featured elite stars who left a lasting mark on league history—<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">James Worthy</a> among them. Now retired, the forward has picked who he believes is the best player in NBA history.



“I played with Kareem, who I think is the greatest player to ever play the game,” Worthy said during a 2019 interview with Uninterrupted. He was teammates with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul--jabbar">Abdul-Jabbar</a> for seven seasons, from his arrival in the Lakers in 1982 until the center’s retirement in 1989.



“To me, Kareem (is the GOAT). Not too many people won three national championships in college and held the (scoring) record for 39 years without shooting a three. People say, ‘He wasn’t athletic. Blah Blah.’ Kareem and Wilt (Chamberlain) were extremely athletic,” James said during a 2024 appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break.



“The discipline, the yoga, the meditation,” Worthy listed as some of the things that helped Abdul-Jabbar remain at basketball’s elite level. “Kareem went through a few decades, you know… Nate Thurman, to this day Kareem says he was the best defensive player ever. Then he goes through Patrick Ewing and (Hakeem) Olajuwon and keeps moving. So, he went through five decades of some of the best centers and survived till the end. So, say what you want, but he gets my vote.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250518_BUS_400099_abdul-jabbar-1024x576_33d7cff1.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five championships with the Lakers" class="wp-image-373760" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09190933/abdul-jabbar.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest NBA player of all time, according to James Worthy.</figcaption></figure>



Speaking about the personality of his former <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a> teammate, the three-time NBA champion shared with the New York Times in 2022: “Most people wouldn’t mess with Kareem. You could prank him now and then, but man, he was gonna get redemption. It’s hard to get Kareem to open up. But if you talk about history or jazz, you’ve got him. And you’ve got him for a long time.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/lakers-and-heat-legend-pat-riley-names-the-greatest-nba-player-of-all-time"></div>

 

 


<h2>Worthy calls out younger fans who never saw Kareem play</h2>



In that same conversation with Byron Scott, Worthy addressed the GOAT debate and how some people overlook Abdul-Jabbar’s accomplishments. “How you gonna say whose the greatest without seeing Kareem’s full body of work?” the forward began.



“How you gonna say, ‘It’s Michael (Jordan).’ Because you were born in 1995? Or ’80, still you haven’t seen people’s full bodywork,” James added. “People who hadn’t seen Kareem, they need to stay out of the question here unless you have seen all that.”



<h2>Michael Jordan’s greatness, according to Worthy</h2>



Before being selected by the Lakers with the first overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, James Worthy spent three years playing at the University of North Carolina. There, he was teammates with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a>, giving him a firsthand look at someone who would become one of the sport’s global icons.



“I was better than him… for about three weeks,” Worthy told Byron Scott. “And I enjoyed those three weeks, ’cause I saw something in that boy that he didn’t have it quite yet. He was learning. But he would seek out the best in everything: chess, backgammon. And if he lost, he was irately made like he just lost a Game 7.”



The Lakers legend, however, realized early on that MJ was destined for greatness in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a>. “I knew he was going to be an All-Star, but I didn’t know he was going to be, possibly, the best player ever,” he told AAC Digital Network in 2017.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250518_BUS_400099_worthy-jordan-1024x576_c6d4c6b3.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-400102" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/17213451/worthy-jordan.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>James Worthy and Michael Jordan on March 31, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>Worthy’s favorite player</h2>



While Worthy considers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest of all time—and even puts Michael Jordan in a similar category—he chose another superstar as his personal favorite in a 2019 interview with Uninterrupted. “If I had to choose one player, I would choose Magic,” James said about <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/magic-johnson">Johnson</a>.



“He enhances everybody three times more than you could ever. He wills stuff, he wills games. When he has to perform, he’s done it. He’s a winner. When you need that guy that can will stuff, that’s what he does. That’s why I would choose him,” explained Worthy, who played alongside Magic for 10 seasons.



<h2>Worthy highlights two current stars in the GOAT debate</h2>



Worthy clearly holds deep respect for the players from his era, but he’s not stuck in the past. In fact, he’s mentioned two current stars as serious contenders in the GOAT debate: Kevin Durant and LeBron James.



“If you’re talking like top seven guys who can be the greatest of all time, he’s in there, in my opinion,” Worthy said of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant">Durant</a> in a 2024 interview with ClutchPoints. “He’s just a phenomenal player who has impacted the game in ways few others have.”



As for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron</a>, he spoke to All The Smoke in 2023: “His ability to will reminds me of Magic. You’re comfortable with him on the floor because you know something is going to happen good. An assist guy, scorer. So, I like his body of work and obviously he’ll be mentioned in the top three or four.”



<h2>The career of James Worthy</h2>



After being selected with the first overall pick of the 1982 NBA Draft, James Worthy became a key piece of the Showtime Lakers, who dominated the league in the 1980s and played out unforgettable rivalries with Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics. Over his 12-year professional career, the forward won three titles (1985, 1987, and 1988) and played in four other NBA Finals.



Worthy’s talent and winning mentality also earned him individual recognition. He was the Finals MVP in 1988, a seven-time consecutive All-Star, named to both the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary Teams, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, and had his No. 42 jersey retired by the Lakers.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6829398b9a59e2e0ea8f6a26" data-title="Do you agree with James Worthy? Is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest NBA player of all time?" data-options="2"></div>

Lakers legend James Worthy names the greatest NBA player of all time

Lakers legend Jerry West named the greatest NBA player of all time

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson names the greatest NBA player of all time

Lakers legend James Worthy names the greatest NBA player of all time - Bolavip US

On Thursday night at Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers delivered a dominant performance and rolled past the Denver Nuggets 117–83 in Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs first round. The game also allowed Kawhi Leonard to surpass NBA legends James Worthy and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/klay-thompson">Klay Thompson</a> in an impressive statistical achievement.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kawhi-leonard">Leonard</a> led the Clippers with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists in 35 minutes on the court. His effort not only helped the team secure a crucial win but also moved him up two spots on the NBA Playoffs all-time scoring list.



With 3,040 points, Kawhi now holds the 27th spot on the list, surpassing Los Angeles Lakers icon <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">James Worthy</a> (now 29th with 3,022) and Dallas Mavericks star Klay Thompson (now 28th with 3,032).



And that’s not all—thanks to his performance Thursday night, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-clippers">Clippers</a> forward also improved his standing in total rebounds. He now ranks 41st on the NBA Playoffs all-time rebounding list with 1,109, passing Rasheed Wallace (1,099) and Nate Thurmond (1,101).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250425_BUS_385571_James-Worthy-1024x576_b6f312c8.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy" class="wp-image-85367" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/James-Worthy-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/James-Worthy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/James-Worthy-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/James-Worthy-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/James-Worthy.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Who are the top scorers in NBA Playoffs history?</h2>



With at least three more games guaranteed in this year’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> postseason, Kawhi Leonard has room to keep climbing the all-time playoff points leaderboard. The next target? A former teammate from the San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili. The Argentine shooting guard ranks 26th with 3,054 points—just 14 ahead of Kawhi.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/nikola-jokic-sends-clear-message-to-kawhi-leonards-doubters-after-clippers-game-3-win-over-nuggets"></div>

 

 


Further up the list but still within reach is Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius Erving, who has 3,088 points. Among active players still in the playoffs, the closest to Kawhi is his Clippers teammate James Harden, who sits 14th with 3,834 points.



Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is on the verge of entering the top ten with 4,017 points, a mark he’s likely to surpass this postseason. Kevin Durant is 7th with 4,985 points—a number he won’t be able to improve this year, as the Phoenix Suns did not qualify for the playoffs. The top spot, of course, belongs to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, with 8,202 points.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="680bf8ac6322de585807af07" data-title="Are the Clippers favorites in the West?" data-options="2"></div>

Kawhi Leonard Surpasses James Worthy and Klay Thompson on NBA Playoffs All-Time Scoring List After Game 3 Win

Kawhi Leonard surpasses NBA icons James Worthy and Klay Thompson after Clippers vs Nuggets Game 3

Kawhi Leonard under the spotlight following Clippers coach Tyronn Lue’s bold warning to NBA

Lakers legend James Worthy draws major comparison between Luka Doncic and Magic Johnson

Kawhi Leonard surpasses NBA icons James Worthy and Klay Thompson after Clippers vs Nuggets Game 3 - Bolavip US

Week by week Luka Doncic is looking more and more settled with Los Angeles Lakers. He has already shown all his talent on the court and has noticeably improved the team’s performance in the 2024-25 season. That has earned him huge praise from NBA legend James Worthy, who compared the Slovenian guard to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/magic-johnson">Magic Johnson</a>.



“Luka, I mean, I haven’t seen anybody like him,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">Worthy</a> assured in a conversation on Spectrum SportsNet. “Magic didn’t shoot the three, but I haven’t seen anybody like this kid, since Magic Johnson, control the game like he does… The way he manipulates the game, it’s just amazing how he does it.”



This enormous praise from the three-time NBA champion came after the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a>‘ 120-108 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. There, Luka led the team with an impressive 31-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance.



“He doesn’t try to outquick you, he uses his size and his strength to get to certain areas. And when he gets into that threat area, you have to respect him. You have to send help, you have to have eyes on him,” Worthy analyzed on <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/luka-doncic">Doncic</a>‘s virtues. “That’s when he does his damage: finding open shots, the lobs to both (Jaxson) Hayes and (Christian) Koloko tonight. I think he gets more out of that than scoring himself, being able to find those lobs.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250320_BUS_360052_Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-1024x576_74ae75d4.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-360061" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20170430/Lakers-legend-James-Worthy.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Lakers legend James Worthy.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Worthy heaps praise on Luka Doncic</h2>



James Worthy then talked about how Doncic’s arrival completely changed the Lakers’ outlook for the next few years. “We were thinking about what our future was gonna be like without LeBron if AD (Anthony Davis) was our guy going forward. Obviously (Austin) Reaves was playing well, we had some good potential, but we weren’t quite sure,” the 1988 Finals MVP acknowledged.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/lakers-legend-magic-johnson-claims-lebrons-future-will-make-luka-doncics-trade-even-more-crucial"></div>

 

 


“Until you get a franchise player like Luka at 26, who was just in the NBA Finals, and the Western Conference Finals before that. A dynamic score passer, and has the size, and only 26… He hasn’t even peaked yet,” Worthy said. “Jerry West said you don’t peak until you got 28, 29, 30… I guess it’s kind of crazy to say that the best is yet to come.”



<h2>Lakers will be a tough team, Worthy says</h2>



James Worthy then talked about expectations in the near future. “All the experts on TV are saying, ‘Oh, my gosh. The Lakers are emerging as a tough team.’ They’re saying that Austin Reaves is the third best team (player) in the league,” he began, showing agreement with those opinions.



“I think that Redick and the coaching staff have done an incredible job in the messaging of how important each possession is. The Lakers are now starting to look the way coach Redick is having them think,” James acknowledged. “The coaching staff is really connecting with the players and it’s showing up on the floor.”



Worthy then highlighted some of the team’s strengths. “They want to play good defense, you can tell. They’re really clamping down collectively on everybody. Steals, blocks, just harassing people,” he said. “The defense is really working for them, but their offense… When you have guys like Austin Reaves and Luka on the floor, and we haven’t got LeBron yet,” the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> legend concluded, implying that all of that will be enhanced even more with Bron’s return.

NBA News: Pau Gasol reveals his reaction to Luka Doncic’s trade from Mavericks to Lakers

Lakers legend James Worthy draws major comparison between Luka Doncic and Magic Johnson - Bolavip US

With the loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> Cup. Their low offensive output sparking criticism from multiple angles, including from franchise legend James Worthy, who specifically pointed to Anthony Davis’ lackluster effort.



“AD has proven that he’s not the type of player who, when he gets the ball, will take control and say, ‘Give me the damn ball,’” Worthy remarked during his post-game analysis on Free Dawkins. “He hasn’t proven to be that guy, so he’ll fade.”



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">Worthy</a>’s comments highlighted a troubling trend in Davis’ play. The 31-year-old has been the Lakers’ most dominant force this season, typically leading both offensively and defensively. However, against the Thunder, he was notably quiet, finishing with just 15 points.



“If you say you’re running the offense through him… he’s key,” Worthy continued. “They need to look back at the first few weeks of the season and evaluate how they were playing and what they were doing. They’ve got to get AD involved, because I saw again in the fourth quarter, it was LeBron trying to force the issue.”



Worthy also took aim at the recent struggles of the Los Angeles Lakers, suggesting that their current play was a step back from their early-season form. “They look like the old Lakers from last year, two years ago—not a winning formula,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241130_BUS_283586_James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-1024x576_85e3e027.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="James Worthy speaking" class="wp-image-279059" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/James-Worthy-Los-Angeles-Lakers.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>James Worthy introduces LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers as he is honored in a ceremony as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points prior to the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Worthy knows what he’s talking about</h2>



While opinions may vary on his harsh criticism of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-davis">Anthony Davis</a>, there’s no questioning James Worthy’s authority on the matter. As one of the greatest players in Lakers history, Worthy’s insights carry weight. He spent his entire 12-season career with the franchise, from 1982 to 1994, and was a central figure in the iconic ‘Showtime Lakers’ era alongside Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat Riley.



Worthy was instrumental in the Lakers’ success during that time, winning three NBA championships (1985, 1987, and 1988), being selected to seven NBA All-Star teams, and earning Finals MVP honors in 1988.


 

 

 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/anthony-davis-net-worth"></div>


<h2>The Lakers have lost their consistency</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> have undeniably lost some of the momentum they built earlier this season. After a strong start, including an impressive 10-4 record, the team’s performance has tapered off in recent weeks. This decline has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, as the Lakers have been unable to maintain the level of play that initially had them looking like contenders.

NBA News: Anthony Davis slammed by Lakers legend James Worthy following loss to Thunder

NBA News: Lakers share latest injury update on LeBron James&#039; son Bronny after game absences

NBA News: JJ Redick praises Anthony Davis, offers &#039;funny&#039; take on Lakers&#039; win over Spurs

NBA News: Anthony Davis slammed by Lakers legend James Worthy following loss to Thunder - Bolavip US

The NBA regular season rolled on, but the Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough setback on Saturday night in Denver. Following a string of promising victories, the team faltered against the reigning champion Nuggets, falling 127-106. The loss dropped their record to 10-6 and raised concerns on three times NBA champion with the Lakers <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-worthy">James Worthy</a> about the consistency of key players like Anthony Davis, who had an off-night.



Despite LeBron James putting up a solid 18 points, the Lakers couldn’t overcome the dominance of Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-davis">Davis</a>, in particular, struggled, leaving fans and analysts questioning his impact. “It seemed like he wasn’t there when we needed him,” Worthy said during The Lake Show postgame program.



Worthy didn’t hold back in his analysis of the game. “The Lakers went back to two years ago. The offense was stagnant. They just laid down. It was weird,” he said, reflecting on the lackluster team effort. He also singled out Davis, who played the same minutes as James but failed to deliver.



The fans in social media also highlighted the team’s struggles beyond Davis. The numbers from players like D’Angelo Russell and Dalton Knecht weren’t enough. The team just couldn’t get into rhythm, and the way the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a> were winning didn’t show up on Saturday’s night.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241124_BUS_279058_Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-1024x576_5d6c7dec.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Anthony Davis looks up" class="wp-image-276339" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-Los-Angeles-Lakers-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 116-106 Lakers win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on November 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Nikola Jokic shines once again</h2>



On the other side of the court, Nikola Jokic put on a show. Returning from an injury that sidelined him for several games, the two-time MVP reminded everyone why he’s among the league’s best. Jokic tallied 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, dominating the Lakers on both ends of the floor.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/nba-news-lakers-star-anthony-davis-makes-bold-admission-on-dalton-knechts-relevance-in-the-team"></div>


Worthy praised Jokic’s performance, acknowledging the challenge of containing the Serbian star: “He is physical, he is MVP, he is a champion, and he is consistent with the numbers, they are better than ever this year. So, if you don’t meet force with force, if he can tell you are not ready to play, he is going to eat you alive.”



Worthy continued: “He just did that tonight. He was exceptional. If you play hard, he still is going to get it, but when you are not ready to meet him, where he wants to play he will destroy and Pope was gone, Murray went out for a little, and still have another guys in the system.”



<h2>Anthony Davis’ disappointing stats</h2>



Davis’ stat line reflected his struggles. He finished with 14 points on a dismal 6-of-19 shooting, missing all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. While he did contribute 10 rebounds and 3 assists, it wasn’t enough to offset his inefficiency on offense.



Fans and analysts alike were disappointed, as Davis has typically been a standout performer this season. The lack of cohesion on the floor showed that this squad didn’t show unity on Saturday’s night. When key players aren’t stepping up, it’s hard to compete against the other teams in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a>.

NBA News: Former Lakers star James Worthy gets brutally honest on Anthony Davis' performance

NBA News: Former Lakers star James Worthy gets brutally honest on Anthony Davis' performance - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> did lead the<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Los Angeles Lakers</a> to an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> championship. However, other than that, his tenure in Southern California has been far from the most remarkable in his career.



He’s not to blame for that, as he’s still put up monster numbers despite joining the team on the back end of his career. But still, he’s far from Lakers royalty if judged by most metrics.



That’s why the debate about him getting his jersey retired or even a statue in Los Angeles has been so controversial. Even so, Lakers legend James Worthy believes the Lakers and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cleveland-cavaliers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> should both build him a statue.



<h2>James Worthy Says Lakers Should Build A Statue Of LeBron James</h2>



“But I think his overall greatness, when you have a player like LeBron, who breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s [all-time scoring] record in Los Angeles, does it as a Laker, then wins a championship as a Laker, you can’t argue that he could get a statue in Los Angeles,“ Worthy said.



“And he could get one in Cleveland as well. So, I don’t know about Miami, but bringing one to Cleveland and Los Angeles, it’s doable, in my opinion,” he concluded.






<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#20230717#BUS#30408"></div>


Being great overall doesn’t mean being great for one team, and the Lakers used to have very high standards for the players they honored, so this will continue to be a controversial subject for years to come.

LeBron James makes bold demand as he confirms he\&#039;s not retiring

LeBron James picks the best player of all time

Lakers legend gets real on potential LeBron James statue - Bolavip US

Lakers legend gets real on potential LeBron James statue

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/jayson-tatum-words-on-celtics-game-4-loss-20220612-0027.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boston Celtics</a> won <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/metta-world-peace-explais-why-bill-russell-is-the-goat-over-michael-jordan-20210413-0004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eleven NBA championships</a> in 13 years. The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/bill-russell-s-rings-how-many-does-he-have-20210308-0011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Russell</a> era marked the most dominant run in major sports history, and it’s not even close. However, some put a big asterisk next to that dynasty because of the semi-amateur status of the competition.
Nonetheless, Russell and the Celtics still dominated with the hand they were given. And other legends of the game, such as Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain, could only do so much against their prowess.
But for years, some players have stated that the Celtics often went way too far to win at all costs. Now, Lakers legend <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-james-worthy-roasts-the-los-angeles-lakers-after-another-humiliating-loss-20220310-0004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Worthy</a> claims that they purposely messed with the Warriors’ hoop before warm-ups because they wanted to cheat.
<h2>NBA News: James Worthy Calls TD Garden A Barn, Says Celtics Are Cheaters</h2>
“They have been doing it for years,” Worthy said. “Pat Riley always had the goals measured. I don’t know how many games we played with 12-foot rims, probably that time I went 1-for-12. They cheat, no heat, no heat in the winter, no air conditioning in June. It’s hot, except for their locker room. Dead spots on the floor, it was just the worst.”
“I don’t even call it an arena, it was like a barn, and they’re still up to those old tricks,“ Worthy added. “They always had a delay on the clock when they had like a second to shoot it was like, ‘Is that three seconds? That clock got stuck a lot. It was just horrible playing in Boston, and they’re still up to those old tricks.”
<div style="text-align:center">
<div class="ck-youtube" id="youtube-24"> </div>
</div>
There are countless stories about the TD Garden and Celtics fans, and even Bill Russell had to live firsthand what it was like not to be wanted by them. But then again, Worthy bleeds purple and gold, so maybe his words have to be taken with a grain of salt.

NBA News: James Worthy rips 'cheating' Celtics, calls TD Garden 'a barn'

NBA News: James Worthy rips 'cheating' Celtics, calls TD Garden 'a barn' - Bolavip US

Every time you think the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/jalen-rose-explains-why-the-los-angeles-lakers-were-a-bad-fit-for-russell-westbrook--20220308-0010.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers</a> have hit <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-russell-westbrooks-family-has-received-death-threats-at-lakers-games-20220308-0002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rock bottom</a>, they show that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/shannon-sharpe-says-no-one-should-feel-sorry-for-russell-westbrook-20220309-0010.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they can still disappoint you</a>. This time, they blew a chance to beat the bottom-feeding Houston Rockets, dropping a must-win game in overtime.
The Lakers can’t seem to get a stop to save their lives. Their body language says they’ve given up on the season already, and their defensive effort has been far from what you’d expect from a team coached by Frank Vogel.
But perhaps what worries most is their attitude. That’s why Lakers legend <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/los-angeles-lakers-news-magic-johnson-james-worthy-rip-russell-westbrook-20220307-0011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Worthy</a> didn’t mince his words after the loss, calling them out again for giving up and lacking the tenacity to play their way out of this slump.
<h2>James Worthy Puts The Lakers On Blast After Overtime Loss To Rockets</h2>
“I thought the Lakers played well enough to win in 4 quarters, except they missed a lot of free throws… They moved the ball, they had 25 or so assists,” Worthy started.“To me, it looks like… at the beginning of the season, there was a lot of expectations of this team to win. And I think they are at a point where they know they’re not going to meet those expectations.”
“Even without AD and the injuries and all that, it’s not an excuse,” Worthy added. “They should be better than this. All the things that they’ve experienced, injuries, protocol. They still should be somewhere around 6 or 7 in my opinion. They didn’t start out the season serious, with preseason, they were waiting around.”
“Now I think they realize they can’t win,” he explained. “This is what I’m seeing. They can’t beat the Suns or the best teams. I don’t know man, they’re not dead on arrival, but they just don’t have that tenacity, they don’t have that will to play their way out of this, even to get into the play-in game. You would think they might be able to with a healthy team. It doesn’t seem like they believe in anything they are doing.”

<div style="text-align:center">
<div class="ck-twitter" id="twitter-37">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“Doesn’t seem like they believe in anything they are doing.” <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesWorthy42?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesWorthy42</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MettaWorld37?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MettaWorld37</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/geeter3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@geeter3</a> share their thoughts on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lakers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lakers</a> disappointing loss in OT. <a href="https://t.co/KUZUquiqho">pic.twitter.com/KUZUquiqho</a>
 — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpectrumSN/status/1501776990017187842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a> </blockquote></div>
 </div>
</div>
The Lakers won’t make the playoffs this season. It’s as simple as that. And even if they manage to hold on to the 9th seed and by any chance get out of the play-in tournament, they’re looking at a first-round sweep.

NBA News: James Worthy roasts the Los Angeles Lakers after another humiliating loss

NBA News: James Worthy roasts the Los Angeles Lakers after another humiliating loss - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/skip-bayless-russell-westbrook-wife-go-back-and-forth-on-social-media-20220307-0003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> has been scapegoated and mistreated by the media and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/russell-westbrook-has-heated-exchange-with-reporter-about-lakers-expectations-20220304-0035.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> fans alike throughout the whole season. He’s played below expectations and that’s a fact but <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-no-team-will-ever-sign-russell-westbrook-again-says-analyst-20220304-0010.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he’s not the only reason</a> why the team has fared so poorly.
Even so, it’s clear that Westbrook’s presence in the locker room has created trouble. Some want him to come off the bench and that’s created tension between him and coach Frank Vogel.
Moreover, the season and all the boos have taken a toll on his game and his aggressiveness, which is why Lakers legend <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-legend-elgin-baylor-says-the-los-angeles-lakers-cant-beat-a-ymca-pickup-team-20220211-0003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Worthy</a> urged him to go back to basics and stop feeling sorry for himself.
<h2>NBA News: James Worthy Says Russell Westbrook Needs To Stop Feeling Sorry For Himself</h2>
(Transcript via Fadeaway World)
“He knows he’s vital to this team and he knows that his performance is not what he’d like it to be,” Worthy said on Spectrum SportsNet. “I personally don’t like to see Russ with zero turnovers. I like to see him with at least 3 or 4 maybe. That means he’s aggressive, he has an aggressive style of play and when he’s in that mode, he’s productive.
“When he’s thinking a lot and passing up shots, I know he’s not knocking down shots and I think it’s because he’s hesitating. He’s thinking about it too much.
“I like players who take accountability. Russ knows he can play, he just needs to play like Russ can play and stop thinking about the distractions sometimes the fans don’t give him the just he deserves. He’s got to let all that go and just go out and be aggressive, get to the hole, take the shot when it’s available without hesitation.
“I think he can get back into a style of play that we want from him. He’s got to stop feeling sorry for himself and just go out and get rebounds, play defense and I think Russ can get back to being the productive player that we need.”

<div class="ck-related-news"> 
<div id="relatedNews-54"> </div>
</div>

<h2>Magic Johnson Says The Westbrook Trade Could Be The Worst In Franchise History</h2>
Magic Johnson didn’t mince his words when talking about Westbrook’s situation, either. Per the Hall of Famer, this might as well go down as the most infamous move the franchise has ever made:
“This [Westbrook] trade could go down as the worst trade in Lakers history if we don’t get out of the play-in game,” the Lakers legend sentenced.
Once again, it’s not fair to point the finger at just one player for such a terrible season. But judging by the looks, it seems like this will be a one-and-done scenario for the Russell Westbrook experiment.

Los Angeles Lakers News: Magic Johnson, James Worthy rip Russell Westbrook

Los Angeles Lakers News: Magic Johnson, James Worthy rip Russell Westbrook - Bolavip US

You never know <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-lakers-russell-westbrook-reacts-to-the-trade-rumors-20220114-0027.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what version</a> of the 2021-22 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-trade-rumors-lakers-targetting-a-sharpshooter-ahead-of-the-deadline-20220114-0018.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> you’re getting. They can either beat contenders like the Utah Jazz or drop the ball at home against bottom-feeders like the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-indiana-pacers-reportedly-looking-for-deaaron-fox-ben-simmons-and-pascal-siakam-type-players-to-replace-domantas-sabonis-and-myles-turner-20220103-0021.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana Pacers.</a>
That inconsistency and failure to make adjustments have followed Frank Vogel throughout his career. And, even during the Lakers’ championship season, some analysts thought he was a little over his head by coaching such a star-studded team.
The years have gone by and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/frank-vogel-explains-why-lebron-james-is-the-best-center-for-the-lakers-20220111-0006.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vogel</a> continues to get exposed and outcoached more often than not. That’s why, following another humiliating loss, Lakers legend James Worthy simply lost his cool once and for all.
<h2>Lakers News: James Worthy Has Had It With Frank Vogel, Blames Him For The Team’s Struggles</h2>
The Lakers’ postgame show started with Worthy in totaldisbelief of what he had just watched. Head on the table, complete silence; it took him a while before he could recollect himself and share his thoughts:

<div style="text-align:center">
<div class="ck-twitter" id="twitter-92">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
after suffering arguably their worst loss of the year, here’s how the Lakers postgame show just opened. <a href="https://t.co/CPsiMwViDx">pic.twitter.com/CPsiMwViDx</a>
 — Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1484042629478187014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2022</a> </blockquote></div>
 </div>
</div>
“I think he’s gotta take control of this,” Worthy said. “Call plays, make sure that they get good shot, make sure that they are versatile and not so one-dimensional and predictable because that’s all I’m seeing right now.”
“I don’t think they can get themselves out of this as players because they’ve had enough opportunities,” the three-time NBA championadded.“I mean they’ve got leadership, they’ve got some kind of virus. If they don’t get hold of it you know every team that comes into staples center, forget about on the road, if they don’t get a hold of this, every team that comes into the staples center is gonna have a lot of confidence thinking that in 4 quarters that they’ll be able to beat this team.”

<div style="text-align:center">
<div class="ck-twitter" id="twitter-44">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
James Worthy calls out Frank Vogel <a href="https://t.co/loXwsjdBTU">pic.twitter.com/loXwsjdBTU</a>
 — Robert (Say Goodbye Fwank)���� (@RobertRaymond46) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertRaymond46/status/1464488646900338690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2021</a> </blockquote></div>
 </div>
</div>
Vogel may not be entirely to blame for how poorly constructed their roster is. But he’s failed to make the most of the talent he’s been given and his lack of adjustments have cost the Lakers leads over and over. He may not even finish the season if this doesn’t change now.

<div class="ckeditor-poll" data-path="/usa/encuestas/Encuesta1642683831409" id="ckePolls_1642683844470" style="text-align:left"> </div>

Lakers legend James Worthy loses his cool, rips Frank Vogel after another tough loss

Lakers legend James Worthy loses his cool, rips Frank Vogel after another tough loss - Bolavip US

Following a weak, 0-2 start to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-schedule-2021-22-find-here-the-complete-fixture-for-the-nba-2021-22-season-20211018-0008.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021-22 NBA regular season</a>, it seemed like the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/los-angeles-lakers-t101482" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> were getting back on track by recording two victories in a row. However, they suffered another setback on Wednesday night.
The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/oklahoma-city-thunder-t91653" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> were winless after four games and looked as clear underdogs, but somehow they pulled off a shock to stun the visitors. Los Angeles were leading by 26, but a fantastic comeback from the hosts saw themselves turn the score around and win 123-115.
There’s still a long way to go in the season and it’stoo early to jump to any conclusions, but that hasn’t prevented <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/russell-westbrook-t134888" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> and company from being slammed by Lakers legend James Worthy.
<div style="text-align:center">
<div class="ck-youtube" id="youtube-7"> </div>
</div>
<h2>James Worthy says Lakers’ loss to Thunder might have been the worst he’s ever seen</h2>
In one of the most dramatic offseasons in recent years, the Lakers set up <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/kendrick-perkins-explains-why-the-lakers-will-win-the-ring-this-season-20210818-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a star-studded roster</a> with renowned players in the league. However, they’ve been struggling to get things going, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LeBron James</a>‘ absence is not helping either.
But there are things that are up to them, like getting the job done when they lead by a huge difference. That’s what they haven’t done against the Thunder, andLakers’ icon James Worthy was outraged basically because of it.
“You have to finish the job, regardless of who you’re playing,” Worthy said onSportsNet Live, as quoted by Thunder Wire‘s Logan Newman. “You cannot disrespect the worst team in the league. In fact, you make sure you put them away and let them know that they don’t have a chance… I’ve seen a lot of Lakers games, and I don’t know, this might be the worst loss I’ve seen.
 
<div class="ck-related-news"> 
<div id="relatedNews-69"> </div>
</div>

“They think that teams are just going to lay down for them, and they’ve got to change that. This was really ugly. I don’t have a whole lot to say… I’d put them on the Greyhound and let them drive back to LA and think about it, cause you just cannot perform like that.
<div style="text-align:center">
<div class="ck-twitter" id="twitter-24">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“this might be the worst Lakers loss ive seen.”
 “send em back on the Greyhound”
 James Worthy goes in on the Lakers to lead the postgame show after their embarrassing meltdown in OKC <a href="https://t.co/3X6JUE4ubk">pic.twitter.com/3X6JUE4ubk</a>
 — Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1453553788011171841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2021</a> </blockquote></div>
 </div>
</div>
“I know it’s early in the season, but this wasn’t one of those games. They should have won the game, and the disrespect that they showed for Oklahoma by not being professional and finishing the job, it’s not Lakers style,” Worthy concluded.
Not to add another jab on the Lakers, but it’s quite easy to be on Worthy’s side on this one. Basically he’s disgruntled because the team didn’t show respect to the opponents and ended up losing the game for it. So, let’s see if <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/frank-vogel-explains-the-only-way-lebron-james-and-russell-westbrook-could-coexist-20210814-0006.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frank Vogel</a>‘s men take note of this and never underestimate an opponent again.
 
<div class="ck-related-news"> 
<div id="relatedNews-95"> </div>
</div>

NBA legend James Worthy blasts the Lakers after embarrassing loss to Thunder

NBA legend James Worthy blasts the Lakers after embarrassing loss to Thunder - Bolavip US

Latest news from James Worthy. Find out about all the news related to James Worthy on bolavip.com/en