During his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers, James Worthy, renowned primarily for his offensive skills, also made significant contributions on the defensive end. One of the highlights of his defensive prowess occurred during the 1991 Western Conference semifinals when he was tasked with guarding the prolific scorer Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors.
After Mullin scored an impressive 41 points in Game 2 of the series, Lakers’ coach Mike Dunleavy decided to shift defensive responsibilities from Magic Johnson to Worthy. This strategic move proved effective; Worthy’s athleticism and basketball IQ helped limit Mullin’s scoring in the subsequent games. Mullin himself acknowledged Worthy’s defensive skill set, noting, “He gets in your stuff off the dribble and he’s still big enough to get into your shot when you step back.”
Worthy’s defensive adjustments were crucial, as they contributed to the Lakers’ success in that series, leading to a closing win of 124-119 in Game 5. This success also set the stage for the Lakers meeting the Portland Trail Blazers in the next round, ultimately leading to a showdown with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, Worthy suffered a significant ankle injury during this playoff run, which affected his performance against Jordan’s Bulls, who ultimately triumphed.
Despite facing physical challenges later in his career, including knee surgery that sidelined him for an extended period, Worthy’s contributions to the Lakers were invaluable. He played a key role in securing three championships for the franchise, resulting in his jersey number 42 being retired in recognition of his impact. Worthy was also honored as a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball’s greats.
Worthy’s journey reflects not only his talent but also resilience, as he navigated injuries while continuing to perform at a competitive level. His defensive skills, often overshadowed by his offensive capabilities, became a crucial part of his identity as a player, showcasing that greatness in basketball requires versatility on both ends of the court.