Basketball legend Worthy on his fears for Lakers, all-time great James and future players from UAE
▶ Former Los Angeles star talks to Reem Abulleil at Jr NBA Abu Dhabi League Draft Ceremony
After the Los Angeles Lakers were handed their second double-digits defeat in as many nights on Tuesday against the Hawks in Atlanta, a dejected LeBron James gave an honest assessment of the team’s struggles.
The 39-year-old star said that, on their day, the Lakers could beat any side in the NBA, but they could just as easily lose badly to any team.
It is that lack of consistency that has NBA legend James Worthy concerned about his beloved Lakers – a team he spent his entire 12-season career with in the ’80s and early ’90s, winning three championships along the way.
Since they won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament back in December, it’s been one step forward and two steps back for the Lakers, whose record this campaign is just under 0.50 with 24 victories against 25 losses.
They scored an impressive overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, which was a LeBron James v Steph Curry classic, but then went on to lose to the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks in back-to-back nights a couple of days later.
“It’s been really frustrating – the inability to win games when they should win,” Worthy told The National last weekend in the UAE capital, where he attended the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League Draft Ceremony.
“We’ve had some injuries. It’s really made it tough for the coach – I think we’ve had maybe 34 different starting line-ups – but that’s no excuse for building chemistry and building defence and things like that. So I’m a little bit concerned where they are. I know they have the potential.”
This season could be LeBron James’ last with the Lakers, although retirement might not be in his immediate future as he expressed his desire to stick around until he can play with his son Bronny in the NBA.
“It could be [his last year with the Lakers]. Especially if we don’t enhance ourselves in the playoffs. I think this is the last year of his contract he gets to opt out. So we’ll see,” said Worthy. “Hopefully, he’ll end his career with us. I see him as a Laker ’til the end.”
Through his work as a commentator and analyst, Worthy has kept a close eye on all the teams and he’s been particularly impressed by French rookie Victor Wembanyama, who, despite the San Antonio Spurs’ woeful record, has managed to shine in his first season in the NBA. The Spurs have the worst record in the Western Conference (0.213), and third-worst record in the league, but the 2.24-metre Wembanyama has been averaging 20.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
“He’s a freak of nature. I love this kid,” said Worthy of the 20-year-old Frenchman.
“The game has changed since I was playing. At 7ft 4ins you were a centre, inside. He plays like Steph Curry, which goes to show you how the league has grown and talent has grown. It won’t be long before they [the Spurs] get the right players around him.”
During his time in Abu Dhabi, Worthy, alongside seven-time NBA All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, took part in clinics with young children from across the emirate.
The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi launched an expanded third season of the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, which this year will reach more than 1,300 youngsters, aged 11-14, from schools across Abu Dhabi, and for the first time, Al Ain.
“I think the NBA has done a great job of building that global appearance for people to get involved with training and Jr NBA ... It’ll grow and at some point you’re going to see an NBA player from Abu Dhabi; without question,” said Worthy.
The NBA had a record 125 international players featured on opening night rosters for this 2023/24 campaign.
Three international players – Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo – have won the past five MVP awards and Worthy has a theory behind this growing trend.
“It’s funny that the top 10 players in the NBA are European players, or from another country,” said Worthy.
“It comes down to how the game has grown globally. And how in the United States, the lack of fundamentals and skill has gone away.
“Guys don’t stay in college long enough. And that’s where you get the skill work. They’re talented, they’re extremely talented. But you know, Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] had four years with John Wooden. I had three years with Dean Smith. Michael Jordan had three years [in college]. Austin Reaves, undrafted, four years of college. He’s had those drills every day.
“So I think what’s happening globally is they’re picking up on fundamentals, the basics, teamwork, and that’s why you’re seeing such a flourish of European players.”
He also stressed that the United States will have to field their A-team if they are to defend their Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer.
The Americans finished fourth in the World Cup last year but have announced an impressive player pool for Olympics selection, which includes James, Curry, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler.