In 1978, the Los Angeles Lakers selected James Worthy with the 33rd pick in the NBA Draft. Despite being an underdog pick at the time, Worthy went on to have a storied career with the Lakers and was a key player in their five-peat championship run from 1980 to 1982.
So how did the Lakers manage to draft James Worthy? Here are a few factors that played into his selection:
-
Scouting: The Lakers had a strong scouting staff that was able to identify talent in the NBA Draft. At the time, Worthy was playing for North Carolina, where he had won two NCAA championships and been named the tournament’s most outstanding player. This helped put him on the radar of the Lakers scouts.
-
Need: The Lakers were in need of a small forward to complement their big men Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Worthy was seen as a versatile player who could score from anywhere on the court, which made him an attractive option for the team.
-
Teamwork: James Worthy was drafted in 1978, the same year that Magic Johnson was taken first overall by the Lakers. The two players formed a strong bond and worked well together both on and off the court. This helped set the foundation for the Lakers’ championship teams of the 1980s.
-
Luck: Sometimes, it just comes down to luck in drafting talent. In the case of James Worthy, the Lakers were able to take advantage of a situation that fell into their lap. Just before the draft, the New York Knicks traded away their top pick, which allowed the Lakers to move up and select Worthy.
Overall, it was a combination of scouting, need, teamwork, and luck that helped the Los Angeles Lakers draft James Worthy in 1978. The decision has since been hailed as one of the greatest draft picks in NBA history.
