NBA: The 30 best trios in league history

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, James Worthy (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Best trios in NBA history: 8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy

Johnson: 19.7 ppg, 12.2 apg, 6.9 rpg
Abdul-Jabbar: 18.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Worthy: 17.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Finals record: 3-1
Time together: 1983-1989

In all fairness, the Los Angeles Laker trio of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy, would have been considerably higher if the circumstances were somewhat different.

By the time all three players suited up for the purple and gold, Abdul-Jabbar was on the downside of his career. While he did manage to average 22.1 points per game and 7.2 rebounds during their first four years with one another, during the final three seasons, he was a shot player. Abdul-Jabbar put together averages of 14 points and 5.9 rebounds during the tail end of those three seasons.

Still, he was good enough to be selected to the All-Star game in each of those seasons and every step of the way, both Johnson and Worthy were with him.

Johnson’s accomplishments during that time go without say. He was an MVP of the league, a Finals MVP, multiple-time All-Star, and consistently forced fans to jump out of their seats with his no look passes.

Amongst this star-studded trio, Worthy receives the least amount of attention but he was just as good, almost. Not only did he have countless All-Star appearances under his belt but he also took home Finals MVP in 1988 and made two All-NBA teams during that stretch.

While all three were good enough to net the Lakers three titles and numerous trips to the game’s biggest stage, ultimately, only two of three, Worthy and Johnson, were in their primes when they all played together. On a list where we’re forced to nitpick, we have to drop them down slightly lower because of it.