James Worthy: The Incredible Journey After Sealing Victory in Lakers' Season 2

Summary

Jerry West's decision to draft James Worthy in 1982 was a significant contribution to the success of the Lakers dynasty in the 1980s and 1990s.

Worthy's impressive debut season with the Lakers demonstrated his exceptional skills and immediate influence, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie team.

Despite suffering an injury that ended his season in 1983, Worthy made a triumphant comeback the next season and went on to secure three NBA championships with the Lakers, establishing his enduring legacy.

HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty showcases the introduction of NBA legend James Worthy to the Showtime Lakers. In the penultimate episode of Season 2, the series delves into the Lakers' rollercoaster journey after their monumental victory in the 1982 NBA Finals, followed by a humiliating defeat in the 1983 Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. The upcoming seventh and final episode of Season 2 will chronicle the epic showdown between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird, in the historic 1984 NBA Finals.

In a noteworthy moment of Season 2, Episode 6, newly-appointed General Manager Jerry West breaks the fourth wall to emphasize his personal involvement in bringing Worthy to the Lakers through the 1982 NBA Draft. Worthy, hailing from western North Carolina, made a name for himself at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played alongside the esteemed Michael Jordan, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Winning Time briefly captures the beginning of Worthy's illustrious NBA career, which spans twelve seasons as a vital component of the Lakers dynasty during the 1980s and 1990s.

The Lakers Selected James Worthy As The First Overall Pick In The 1982 NBA Draft

Jerry West made a significant decision during the 1982 NBA Draft, choosing James Worthy as the Lakers' first overall pick. This choice proved to be one of West's most notable contributions to the team during his career as a front-office executive. Prior to joining the NBA, Worthy achieved great success in college basketball, leading his North Carolina Tar Heel team to an NCAA Championship in 1982. He was recognized as the ACC Athlete of the Year and the NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player. These accomplishments inspired Worthy to forgo his senior year and enter the NBA.

Although Worthy only started in one game out of the 77 he played in, he quickly made an impact as a member of the 1982-1983 Lakers. He averaged almost 14 points per game and achieved an impressive 57.9% field goal percentage during his rookie season. This marked a career-high for Worthy, a record he later tied during the 1985-86 NBA season. At the end of the 1983 season, he was selected for the All-Rookie team, but unfortunately, he was unable to participate in the playoffs due to a late-season injury.

James Worthy Got Injured 5 Games Before The 1982-83 Playoffs

James Worthy Played For The Lakers His Entire Career & Won 3 NBA Titles

At the conclusion of his remarkable inaugural season in the NBA, Worthy's journey took an unexpected turn when a leg injury forced him out of the game for the remainder of the year. It was during a game against the Phoenix Suns in April of 1983 that Worthy encountered a non-contact situation, resulting in an uncommon landing as he sought to secure a second chance for an effortless tap-in. Following evaluation, it was determined that Worthy had suffered a fractured tibia, abruptly terminating his season. The Lakers' playoff run, which was only five games away from the end of the regular season, was instantaneously impacted by Worthy's unfortunate injury. Nonetheless, the team was still considered the frontrunners to secure consecutive NBA titles during that time.

At the start of the 1983-84 NBA season, James Worthy made a triumphant return. He swiftly took over the starting position previously held by All-Star Jamaal Wilkes, starting in 53 out of 82 games that year. Despite Worthy's outstanding performance in the 1984 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 22 points per game, the Lakers fell short and lost in seven games. However, undeterred, Worthy, Magic, and Kareem sought redemption and emerged victorious in the 1985 NBA Finals, defeating Boston on their own turf. This marked the beginning of an incredible journey for the trio, as they went on to win three championships with the Lakers.

Worthy retired from the NBA after the 1993-94 season, having played in over 920 games and averaging 17.6 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds. In 2021, he was honored as a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. The Lakers retired his jersey number 42, while his college number 52 was also retired by UNC. Worthy gained the nickname "Big Game James" for his impressive scoring performances during the Lakers' Championship victories. Following his playing career, Worthy became an analyst for the Lakers' pregame and postgame broadcasts. He also made appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Everybody Loves Raymond before being portrayed in HBO's Winning Time.