25. 1982: James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers
In many ways, James Worthy was the perfect wing player for the fast-paced style of the Showtime Lakers. Alongside Magic Johnson, Worthy excelled at filling the lanes and finishing at the rim, usually after Johnson gift-wrapped him a gorgeous pass. He was also an effective post player whenever L.A. ran their half-court offense.
Worthy flashed some of that Hall of Fame promise in his rookie season, averaging 13.4 points per game as Jamaal Wilkes’ backup before breaking his leg late in the season. He returned the next year and eventually took Wilkes’ starting job and became the tertiary star next to Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In 12 seasons — all with the Lakers — Worthy averaged 17.6 points per game with a 17.7 PER. He also established himself as a clutch performer in the postseason, as he led the team in scoring during two of their championship runs in the 80s and finished slightly behind Abdul-Jabbar in the other. In particular, Worthy’s efforts in the 1988 Finals against the Pistons — including his 36-11-10 performance in the title-clinching Game 7 — earned him MVP honors in that series.
In terms of production, Worthy’s career more closely resembles the likes of Glen Rice, Alex English, and Lou Hudson, all very good players that thrived when paired with other star players. But his memorable playoff performances proved that with the right superstar in place, guys like him can be the difference between championships and early playoff exits.