The 10 greatest L.A. Lakers of all time -- No. 6: James Worthy
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Continuing our countdown of the 10 greatest L.A. Lakers of all time, as chosen by our readers.
No. 6: James Worthy (no first-place votes, 24,755 points)
‘Big Game James’ Worthy, a key member of three Lakers title teams (1985, 1987, 1988), is one of the more popular players in Lakers history, still drawing cheers when he appears at the Staples Center to watch the Lakers. It was luck and skillful trading that put Worthy on the Lakers. In 1980, the Lakers sent Don Ford to the Cleveland Cavaliers for their first-round pick in 1982. That pick ended up being Worthy.
Worthy retired in 1994 and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He is one of only seven L.A. Lakers to have their number retired, six of whom are in the Times readers’ top 10.
On the Lakers’ all-time list, Worthy is fourth in games played (926), seventh in field-goal percentage (52.1%), ninth in assists (2,791), third in steals (1,041), fifth in blocked shots (624) and sixth in points (16,320).
-- Houston Mitchell
Previously:
No. 10: Jerry Buss
No. 9: Shaquille O’Neal
No. 8: Wilt Chamberlain
No. 7: Chick Hearn