Worthy- what a player. How many exquisite passes were there in this highlight? But his footwork and ability to just snatch the ball in traffic was unparalleled. And then also being 6'9" and able to fill the lane? Just unfair really.
Magic is an all timer of course, but what made Worthy so good was his ability to finish in so many ways, anyone in the nba can dunk with a run up, but Worthy could finish either hand, play over the rim, such a smooth and efficient player, 21.1 career play off average on 54.4% shooting...
Imagine if Worthy played today, he'd average about 30 points per game easily. Today's players don't know how to play with their backs to the basket in the post, all they like to do is face the basket and shoot jumpers or 3 pointers. Worthy was a pure post player with speed and quickness, today's players wouldn't know how to guard him.
Big game James and his Statue of Liberty dunk! Worthy took over this game, and against a "VERY" worthy opponent! Worthy was just as important as Magic and Kareem during those championship years! James Worthy was AWESOME, and the Celtics didn't have an answer for his quickness!
He wasn't as important as Magic to Showtime's last 3, or Kareem to Showtime' first 2, but he was up there. They had a lot of clutch players on that team, and Worthy was one. I still think Nique would've given them a tad more, but Worthy was great.
@@maryakopyan3224 I disagree. Showtime basketball was a team effort system. Worthy was unselfish and a better defender than dominique was. Worthy shot 54.4% from the field during the playoffs while Wilkins shot only 42% from the field during the playoffs.
I once met Dominique Wilkins in a bar in North Carolina right after Worthy had lead North Carolina to the 1982 National title. James Worthy had not announced yet that he was entering the draft but Wilkins had already announced. In fact I'm not even sure it was known yet if the Lakers actually had the number 1 pick. In my casual 3 or 4 minute talk I asked Dominique where he hoped to land in the draft. His reply to me was " Hopefully the L.A. Lakers". Worthy officially entered the draft a short time later and and the Lakers picked Worthy #1 and the rest is history.
Teams stayed together for many years back then i know the nucleus of the Lakers and Boston stayed the same for years, and when you see videos of passes that you wonder how the guy was ready for it. The Lakers knew each other so well, Magic was a great leader and the whole team had high basketball IQ. As for Silky smooth Worthy. he was Jordan's mentor in college. big game James always came up big in the finals. Fastest first step...ever? I.ve never seen one as fast.
Nah Pippen was more quick than fast imo. The only small forwards in the past with comparable speed to Worthy are Grant Hill, Bernard King, and Marques Johnson from the Bucks.
Always wonder how Worthy would have done on a track event - 100M or 200M. He routinely outraced guards who were 6’0” and quick in their own right. Lakers almost drafted Terry Cummings and also considered D Wilkins in 1982. But Jerry West felt that Magic could push the ball so fast that they needed Worthy’s unreal speed to get out ahead of the break and in position to receive the pass.
Its crazy that AC played with Shaq/Kobe also. Worthy was/is underrated. The 80s Lakers are the best to ever do it because they had superstars who chose to be superstars in their role on a dynastic team.
Lakers coming off a sweep of Sonics where Worthy was really rolling. So here is Worthy and the Lakers, well rested, just running the Celtics ragged. The Celtics actually made a small comeback in this game but could not overcome all the easy buckets. Lakers would go on to win in 6 games. Worthy would make the full dive out of bounds in game 6 to inspire the squad. Loving these vintage swoops and moves by Worthy and that tip dunk by Byron!
The video is a treat. Worthy was not the most athletic but he was extremely fast and committed to his moves. Moreover, he played within the system and did what was necessary that the team called for. HOF and legend. PS. It's unbelievable that the slow footed Celtic front line elected play worthy single coverage. He just got to his spots at will.
James King Not sure what you mean by "not the most athletic," but Worthy had pretty good hangtime on those breakaway swooping dunks. Sure his dribbling was far from smooth, but he may have had the quickest first step ever in NBA history. Also he was Magic's best weapon on the Showtime fast break.
Athleticism as measure of raw physical capabilities. Nique, Jordan, and guys like Rodman and John Salley could explode and jump higher than worthy in that era. But less athleticism doesn't take anything away from what worthy could do. I agree on all of the points on that worthy was quick, gets to his spots, and almost always comes with a counter move in the post. Plus, playing with magic and running the break nets you 6 points for free and there were none better than worthy.
Worthy was extremely fast, he used to clock in the 4.4s at UNC. He also had a vertical around 40 inches. I would say he was pretty athletic, at least in his younger days.
I believe James would’ve had much greater scoring if he wasn’t surrounded by a team of all stars. I remember when Danny Ainge went to Sacramento, and suddenly he was scoring way more than he was at Boston. I think James would’ve been similar if he was surrounded by mediocre cast.
@@asandiegoguyJames worthy as first option would’ve been a 28.7.4 type of player. Guy had a ball dominant magic playing next to him and a 2nd 3th option with Kareem
Peace critics Kareem at age 40 had 4 blocks against aurguable the greatest team ever the defending world champions critics say he had no defense all tome leader in block shots i Began records during the 1973-74 season Kareem's fifth 5th year 🤔🏀🏆👑⭐👍😁✌️
Worthy- what a player. How many exquisite passes were there in this highlight? But his footwork and ability to just snatch the ball in traffic was unparalleled. And then also being 6'9" and able to fill the lane? Just unfair really.
Worthy had the best first step in NBA I have ever seen. He was so quick and a delight to watch.
haven't seen much!
P@@mja91352
James Worthy was my favorite player as a kid.
Worthy had such a great first step and would swoop in on the break. What a weapon he was
I remember a Celtics fan saying he hated the Lakers, but LOVED Worthy.
Big Game James dont have to take a back seat to nobody, prettiest basketball moves evaaaa!!!
Yes he was
Preach!
Magic is an all timer of course, but what made Worthy so good was his ability to finish in so many ways, anyone in the nba can dunk with a run up, but Worthy could finish either hand, play over the rim, such a smooth and efficient player, 21.1 career play off average on 54.4% shooting...
Nothing more beautiful or picturesque in basketball ever than a James Worthy patented one handed statue of liberty dunk.
Imagine if Worthy played today, he'd average about 30 points per game easily. Today's players don't know how to play with their backs to the basket in the post, all they like to do is face the basket and shoot jumpers or 3 pointers. Worthy was a pure post player with speed and quickness, today's players wouldn't know how to guard him.
The current Laker kids need to watch this video to see what real team ball movement is all about.
You ain't kidding!
Big game James and his Statue of Liberty dunk! Worthy took over this game, and against a "VERY" worthy opponent! Worthy was just as important as Magic and Kareem during those championship years! James Worthy was AWESOME, and the Celtics didn't have an answer for his quickness!
He wasn't as important as Magic to Showtime's last 3, or Kareem to Showtime' first 2, but he was up there. They had a lot of clutch players on that team, and Worthy was one. I still think Nique would've given them a tad more, but Worthy was great.
@@maryakopyan3224 I disagree. Showtime basketball was a team effort system. Worthy was unselfish and a better defender than dominique was. Worthy shot 54.4% from the field during the playoffs while Wilkins shot only 42% from the field during the playoffs.
I once met Dominique Wilkins in a bar in North Carolina right after Worthy had lead North Carolina to the 1982 National title. James Worthy had not announced yet that he was entering the draft but Wilkins had already announced. In fact I'm not even sure it was known yet if the Lakers actually had the number 1 pick. In my casual 3 or 4 minute talk I asked Dominique where he hoped to land in the draft. His reply to me was " Hopefully the L.A. Lakers". Worthy officially entered the draft a short time later and and the Lakers picked Worthy #1 and the rest is history.
Big...Game...James...With That First Step Quickness And Those Long Arms... Beautiful...Just...Beautiful...One Love Fam...
Your videos always bring great joy to my life
He was the best 3rd option ever,,,and he wasn't no 3rd option,,,,he was big game James
He is really unbelievable..terrific scorer.
Teams stayed together for many years back then i know the nucleus of the Lakers and Boston stayed the same for years, and when you see videos of passes that you wonder how the guy was ready for it. The Lakers knew each other so well, Magic was a great leader and the whole team had high basketball IQ. As for Silky smooth Worthy. he was Jordan's mentor in college. big game James always came up big in the finals. Fastest first step...ever? I.ve never seen one as fast.
Pippen's was a tad faster, but Worthy's was fast.
Nah Pippen was more quick than fast imo. The only small forwards in the past with comparable speed to Worthy are Grant Hill, Bernard King, and Marques Johnson from the Bucks.
Always wonder how Worthy would have done on a track event - 100M or 200M. He routinely outraced guards who were 6’0” and quick in their own right. Lakers almost drafted Terry Cummings and also considered D Wilkins in 1982. But Jerry West felt that Magic could push the ball so fast that they needed Worthy’s unreal speed to get out ahead of the break and in position to receive the pass.
@@maryakopyan3224 Dennis Rodman even admitted that Worthy was tougher to defend because Worthy was faster.
glad to see the channel still alive. Long time subscriber
Kay Fabe Thanks for the support.
Its crazy that AC played with Shaq/Kobe also. Worthy was/is underrated. The 80s Lakers are the best to ever do it because they had superstars who chose to be superstars in their role on a dynastic team.
I think GS would have some trouble guarding those 87' Lakers lol...
Damn, that fastbreak was unstoppable as fuck.
I remember this like it was last week.
That Worthy pic use for Lakers vs Celtics and the NBA Playoffs cover…a PC game from 1989 or 1990. I remember that photo.
ONE OF MY IDOLS
i always said Worthy is one of the best small forward of all time. he is such a classy person. I respect him
And that a fact always been a class act .
Lakers coming off a sweep of Sonics where Worthy was really rolling. So here is Worthy and the Lakers, well rested, just running the Celtics ragged. The Celtics actually made a small comeback in this game but could not overcome all the easy buckets. Lakers would go on to win in 6 games. Worthy would make the full dive out of bounds in game 6 to inspire the squad. Loving these vintage swoops and moves by Worthy and that tip dunk by Byron!
Magic in is Prime 87 Magic Johnson best season ever
The video is a treat. Worthy was not the most athletic but he was extremely fast and committed to his moves. Moreover, he played within the system and did what was necessary that the team called for. HOF and legend.
PS. It's unbelievable that the slow footed Celtic front line elected play worthy single coverage. He just got to his spots at will.
James King Not sure what you mean by "not the most athletic," but Worthy had pretty good hangtime on those breakaway swooping dunks. Sure his dribbling was far from smooth, but he may have had the quickest first step ever in NBA history. Also he was Magic's best weapon on the Showtime fast break.
Athleticism as measure of raw physical capabilities. Nique, Jordan, and guys like Rodman and John Salley could explode and jump higher than worthy in that era. But less athleticism doesn't take anything away from what worthy could do. I agree on all of the points on that worthy was quick, gets to his spots, and almost always comes with a counter move in the post. Plus, playing with magic and running the break nets you 6 points for free and there were none better than worthy.
Worthy was extremely fast, he used to clock in the 4.4s at UNC. He also had a vertical around 40 inches. I would say he was pretty athletic, at least in his younger days.
Worthy, unathletic? You don´t know what you are talking about.
"but he may have had the quickest first step ever in NBA history." Chick Hearn said that Drexler is "quicker than Worthy".
Back when NBA basketball was exciting and entertaining!!! "Big Game" was too quick to guard.
Big game James never had a 40 point game in his NBA career. But what a player!
He did have a 40 point game against the bad boy Pistons in the 1989 NBA Finals when Magic was injured.
I believe James would’ve had much greater scoring if he wasn’t surrounded by a team of all stars. I remember when Danny Ainge went to Sacramento, and suddenly he was scoring way more than he was at Boston. I think James would’ve been similar if he was surrounded by mediocre cast.
@@asandiegoguyJames worthy as first option would’ve been a 28.7.4 type of player. Guy had a ball dominant magic playing next to him and a 2nd 3th option with Kareem
💕 💕 💕 💕 💕
Peace critics Kareem at age 40 had 4 blocks against aurguable the greatest team ever the defending world champions critics say he had no defense all tome leader in block shots i Began records during the 1973-74 season Kareem's fifth 5th year 🤔🏀🏆👑⭐👍😁✌️
Worthy had the footwork of a ballerina,CLEARLY one of the top 5 small forwards of all time
Worthy was a baaaaaaaaad b-ball player!!!
If this is the “tough, physical 80’s and 90’s defense” I’m not very impressed.
their defense was so bad...
northcarolinaname Trash
You little bitch ass millennials just aren't used to great halfcourt offense.
Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot seriously the NBA now doesn’t hold a candle to these guys.
northcarolinaname who L.A. ?
they don't have a clue....