Big Game James - The James Worthy Story

we became James my nickname is big

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James everywhere I go that's what I get Oh great

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James threw another amount I was known for the playoffs so every time I heard great game James knew I had to take it to another level the more The bigger the game the bigger the performance, the Magica If in the 1980s the Los Angeles Lakers brought a new form of excitement to the NBA an up-tempo style called Showtime the Lakers' high-octane offense was fueled by a cast packed with five stars minus one The man made a name for himself as seven-time All-Star James Worthy fast and furious is what comes to mind because it was a combination of green magic, fast play, not really authentic basketball thought by many and then the whole Hollywood brand and it was transferred.

I hit the basketball court before I could imagine a life under the lights of Hollywood. Digno was a kid from a small town in North Carolina who was anything but an athlete. He was frail and not very coordinated. A shy and introverted type of child. He didn't really want to play sports. You know, I was the youngest of three three children and it's like a mother was born. You know, my brothers were eight nine years older than me, so I always had to deal with my mom and going to church PTA meetings and so on, but.

He was in the boys club. I never forget. He was in seventh or eighth grade. I heard the word sports scholarship. I saw an opportunity to pay for my own college. My parents are working very hard and that was a big concern for me. I never got around to doing it. I saw my parents at 9 at night, so I wanted to eliminate them from having to work hard for me, so from then on I really got interested in basketball. Worthy would help his parents by earning a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, and in his junior season he became a national champion that same year, the stars once again aligned for the defending champion.

The Lakers had traded for the first pick in the 1982 draft and Worthy fell into their laps for the first pick. He is six foot nine and 225 pounds, from North Carolina. Worthy of being selected number one and coming to the best team in the league that had just won the championship. I was extremely fortunate, but the new first-rounder quickly understood his place and the Lakers' pecking order. I knew one thing: to shut up and be cool because I was looking at not only Magic Rain but Jerry West looking at you like Big Brother, you know, usually the number one pick usually shows up, he's starting, he's the star and I looked that list and I said, you know, the first thing is I just had to be patient, but I looked at Kurt Rambis couldn't work, he wasn't a scorer and I said, you're probably not going to get that position and I remember the first day of practice, Kurt Rambis beat me . bad, he wasn't going to get that position when dignified got playing time as a rookie, provided flashes of the offensive explosion that would later become his trademark here's the stolen pass by the same guy dignified here he comes all the way and in his In The second season was an important part of a Lakers team that found itself facing the Boston Celtics in the 1984 finals, renewing a one-sided rivalry forged in the 1960s.

The Lakers had never beaten the Celtics and it was very painful that was so deep. so we knew I was on the line and we knew we were represented and we knew who we were representing with the Lakers a game up in the series and clinging to a lead in the waning seconds of game two, the budding star proved he wasn't was. I am quite ready for the final stage,

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, will enter a match. Johnson, worst case scenario, the Celtics will have to fire the laser. I could have had it and won, but a pass from me forced overtime and they won that series in seven.

Games I still see that repetition all the time and I have to learn to live with it, but it never goes away. down but not out as they try to wipe the slate clean in 1985 to dance on that parquet floor and be the only team in VA hi

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to do so and still standing after the Lakers saw the 1984 finals It was slipping out of their hands. The entire next season driven by the need for redemption against the hated Celtics, they beat us, we didn't feel like we really lost that and we filled it, we gave it to them and so we had to lean on each other, so we were. on a mission in '85 I had learned a lot from my teammates and had started to start and I was also about to have a breakthrough in terms of feeling comfortable in the NBA and making a name for myself and becoming a threat, so I was prepared . and eagerly ready to go, a counterattack was underway and we were tougher, we were more physical and the chemistry was good.

We went through the regular season and playoffs and they couldn't have written it better. The Finals featured a rematch against Boston, once we got there, the regular season was tough once we knew we were going to see them again. You know, you have a m/l ​​car. Cedric Maxwell gives you the choke sign all the time. You know, Bird and McHale, the whole Boston mystique that we were. bitter you know we're bitter we had to answer all those questions what happened I was the term I mean there's no way I was going to lose again the Celtics have no one to stop working with

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emerging as an offensive force the Lakers finally broke up the curse of the Celtics, we're the first to win a championship in the parking lot, so to do it fair you always want to do it at home, but I wanted to do it in Boston, you did it right, man, Jim, you know it's the last one. year we have to sit in our hotels and our partners now in homes and just think about coming back, you know, and we were determined that they had dominated us, we have been nothing but reminding ourselves of that and I think it's sweeter now because we have broken a dynasty against God for being the only team and being a

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to have done it that still stands out the hopes of a repeat were crushed in the 86 Conference Finals and once again a painful defeat motivated worthy and his teammates we thought we had a chance of a back-to-back fight became a big emphasis, you know, because everyone had won one.

The Lakers won against Philadelphia. Boston won against a rock and therefore the back-to-back fight hadn't happened, so we thought we'd go for it. it's 85 86 so season 87 which I think subconsciously we were watching two seasons no one we got our chemistry back we got a little distracted but we got our core group back I mean we reviewed everyone I don't think we're We'll deny it except the '87 finals provided a unforgettable moment. Magic Johnson's heroics in Game 4, but it was these defensive plays in Game 6 that catapulted the Lakers to victory and began the legend of the big game.

James, they had been running this play all game. to Kevin McHale, where they would try to double team and hit someone in the free throw line area. I knew I could probably get it in the first second quarter, but I let it, I let it go until the perfect moment when we mean. Magic Johnson I kind of prepared Kevin because he was letting go of the past and he let me go, so I anticipated this one. I had to reach it to the point where I had to die and I think I slid about 8 feet, it was beautiful.

It's a beautiful moment, the champagne is flowing in the locker room of the NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, as they approach the big game. James, the story of James Worthy. I feel grateful that we will be alive in Los Angeles and I am guaranteed and everyone here next year. We're going to win again, I wanted to hurt her because what she did was set a signal for the rest of the league, yeah, we think we're better than everyone else, no one can shoot two words because she's so fast. He is so agile that he did not get to the basket quickly in anyone I know his voice his size when I stop worrying it is like a great feeling because hey this car, whoever gets it imagines a blink of an eye now we return to the great game James the story by James Worthy, Remember when everyone said we were too old to make short films because we don't play anymore?

A long time ago, right? I'm grateful to be alive and living in Los Angeles and I guarantee everyone here next year that we're going to win it again we wanted to hurt him because what it did was send a signal to the rest of the league that you know, yeah, we think we're better than everyone else, now you know I'm really crazy, it was probably the best training movie ever made because I knew we needed to be challenged. You know, I'm thinking tomorrow and I forget to say it because I knew what kind of year a v8 would be after that state as the Lakers prepared to back up their coach's bold prediction.

James felt the responsibility to take on more of the burden from my perspective, magic and green, they had carried the Lakers for so many years and wanted so many championships. I just felt like it was my turn to help my teammates. I had to take a dignified step forward. He played it down to the basics and continued to perfect his technique to gain every possible advantage. It was all a science to me. The first two steps out of the box were the most important. You had to practice, stay down and then go up. I could calculate the steps and I knew that once I got on the court based on what the magic was, I knew three more steps, meaning I was in the air.

You have to learn footwork. You have to know where to direct your defender. You always know who my opponents are marking. I always maintained a difference. I always knew what moves I could affect based on the fact that no one has gotten under the reverse layup. It was a lot of hard work, the toughest season physically and mentally, but once we got to the playoffs we said we're here. and we are not going to be denied, but despite all the challenges the Lakers faced, they still had not caught up to the bruised Detroit Pistons, their opponent in the 1988 finals, there were the bad boys, they were physical and brave and what What they take away from me is that everything I like to do is within the post and so I knew it was going to be a challenge for me, it was pure guts and who wanted it, that's what that series was about, but that's what motivates me. so I felt right at home when the series was a battle between a proven champion and a motivated contender, it was only fitting that the title would come down to a decisive seventh game, the perfect showcase was worthy of cementing the legend of his famous nickname every time. who hurt important games, he knew he had to take it to another level, he dominated the game and recorded a triple-double, 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, where they got a great weapon for the Lakers, worthy of winning the game of their life, worthy in the middle. he is MVP he throws it you are in a zone like that you feel unstoppable everything slows down and no matter who is in front of you you feel like you can defeat them and all you know is that it was fun and that's just what to experience those moments in a game said like this Los Angeles became the first NBA team to repeat in almost two substitutes fulfilling Pat Riley's guarantee and the Finals MVP was proud to be able to take a leadership role in his veteran team to operate, offer them for so many years, already You know, catching all the magical stuff and playing behind Kareem.

It was finally great to put them on my shoulders at least for that guy who comes in the next big game, James calls and comes into his race and takes his rightful place. among all-time Lakers greats, I knew being a Laker was a matter of pride because you look at who you represent, magic and cream, and Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich and those guys, so yeah , became more than just being a professional basketball player. It's really scary how good he is and especially when it's the big game or a big series, he just comes, he wants to listen and if he has to take the game and win himself, we'll all jump on his back for a ride and carry us. to victory now we return to the great game James, the story of James Worthy in 1988 Lakers fans took to the streets not only to celebrate another championship but also to honor a dynasty and its Finals MVP, James Worthy, after of one of the most impressive performances in postseason history.

He was at the peak of his career, but the Showtime Lakers would never win another title in 1989, they did not reach the third title against the same Pistons and in '91 they gave way to a new dynasty. It was Ben who saw the writing on the wall, it's a tough decision, you know, he was a couple of years older. He probably he could have done it. I probably didn't start. I probably could have played for a year too, but it wasn't fun anymore. I loved going to practice and being around him. teammates, but once the fun was over when I found out I didn't want to do that anymore, I do it, it was something for me.

The NBA had seen number 42 finish its last fast break, but over time that number would earn a permanent spot on the Lakers. Lord had 12 great years. James Worthy played this game how he would like a player to play. A consummate professional. He sacrificed many personal goals. 14 goals.James Worthy is one of the most beautiful basketball players to ever play the game. He knew what it was like to be a Laker. all about pride because you look at who you're representing the magic and the green and Jerry West Wilt Chamberlain Gail Goodrich and those guys, so yeah, it became more than just being a professional teacher from Tobacco Road to the highways of Hollywood.

I will just say that it has been the most rewarding and exciting experience I have ever had and there is no doubt that you are the biggest Explorer fans. James Worthy played the game with humility and uncommon grace and that's also how he accepted the accolades He collected during and after his career, if you just do your job, chances are some individual hunter you deserve will show up in your path, doing all 13 and then being chosen at 50, that was a little strange for me because I didn't care about beautiful things. Coach Smith says that if you don't think about it, you realize that you have been a special part of my life for which I am very grateful.

Appreciated by his fellow writers and coaches for his work to be a Dutton in the Hall of Fame, actually puts the exclamation point at the end of that sentence. Wow, this is the best. It's just nice to be appreciated, man to be included. For the Hall of Fame you have to have some skills as a basketball player, but the most important thing is the people along the way who nurtured you. I don't know if I will change anything. I have learned everything. I have learned from good things. I learned from the bad things and that made me who I am and I think a lot of people use that answer, but I couldn't change anything, but if I had to do it all over again, there was some great advice.

The game I would like to give to that awkward kid from Gastonia, North Carolina, I would tell myself, keep trying, keep trying because you're going to make it.