Los Angeles Lakers great James Worthy has argued that the Lakers are building toward something real, even if it doesn’t always look smooth from the outside.
In an appearance on ESPN LA’s Mason and Ireland Show, Worthy pointed to last season as a reason to believe.
“I was really impressed that they were able to get to third in the West, right? Last year,” Worthy said. “On half a season with Luka and LeBron not 100% getting the chemistry and the cohesiveness and their synergy, not having a big, not having a rim protector. They got all the way to the playoffs and then they met their destiny.”
Worthy framed that playoff loss not as a dead end but as a stepping stone. With a full offseason together and a better-balanced roster, he believes the Lakers have the ingredients for sustained success.
He also credited James for understanding how to adapt alongside great players.
“I give LeBron a lot of credit. Say what you want about his career and all that, but his ability to recognize, you know, what’s before him. He’s had great players, you know, Irving, he’s played with a lot of great players, so he knows how to create that chemistry,” Worthy said.
The age question
James‘ longevity continues to fuel endless conversation. Only a handful of players in NBA history have produced at a high level into their 40s, and some advanced stats showed that the Lakers‘ efficiency dipped slightly when James was on the court last season.
But dismissing him based on age alone ignores the numbers. James still averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game – production that remains elite by any standard. His ability to orchestrate the offense, force defenses into double-teams, and create for teammates has not diminished.
For James, the narrative is little more than background noise. “Age doesn’t matter. Age is just a number. I definitely feel energetic anytime I’m out there … trying to give everything I got to my teammates,” he told CGTN Sports Scene in a recent interview.
The Doncic-James partnership is still in its infancy, but Worthy and others around the organization see reasons for confidence. A season of adjustment has given way to a renewed sense of chemistry, and with the possibility of adding more interior defense, the Lakers believe they can push deeper into the playoffs.
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