James Worthy gives his two cents on the Lakers-Suns series
After talking all things Lakers with 710 ESPN's Mychal Thompson and Andrew Siciliano Tuesday at Morton's Steakhouse as part of the ''Lunch With a Legend'' series, James quickly shared with me his thoughts on how the Lakers-Suns series might go.
Mark Medina: Why do you believe the Lakers will win the series in five games?
James Worthy: The Suns and Lakers have two contrasting styles. But I think if the Lakers play their game, the length and go inside, I just don't see how Phoenix is going to be able to contend with that.
MM: What's your take on the week-long lapse for both teams? How do you weigh the positive aspect with both teams being able to rest versus the momentum they have to somehow replicate?
JW: I'm torn. I think a couple days off is good, but more than three or four days is not good for any team at this time of the year. You just can't keep your momentum or your timing. You can practice against each other, but there's something about a game situation. I'm not sure how this happened. I think maybe the league didn't expect the teams to be swept like they did and it would be prolonged. Too much time is not good for anybody.
MM: What level of concern do you have with the news that Andrew Bynum has experienced more swelling in his right knee?
JW: I think he can obviously play through it. You have to have a strong mentality. If you feel pain, you have to make up your mind whether you can play with it or not. You can't talk about it as much and you can't be complaining about it. That's what concerned me. I heard him say it was the worst it's ever been the other day. That's not good. If you're going to say that, I would say maybe not play. But you have to know what moves are not painful. You have to go out and know what you can do. It's the defense that you have to react spontaneously. But you can play with that injury, maybe not 100% but you have to decide if you'll play with it. Once you decide that you'll play with it, that knee has to be strong to some extent in your mind.
MM: What do you make of the news that just came out where The Times' Mike Bresnahan reported that Kobe Bryant had a significant amount of fluid drained from his right knee?
JW: It's somewhat of a normal procedure sometimes when you have a knee drained... so long as it's not something you have to do every game. It doesn't surprise me that part of Kobe's conditioning is he's on top of everything. To have his knee drained is not a big deal, it's not like Andrew's, where it's constantly swelling all the time. It doesn't concern me about Kobe. Plus he can play with it. He's proven he can play with it. I'm not too concerned about that.
MM: You mentioned during the "Lunch With a Legend" that the playoff series will be predicated on which team imposes its philosophy, whether it's the Lakers playing at their deliberate pace or Phoenix's run-and-gun style. What does it come down to as far what the Lakers need to do to play their style?
JW: First, they have to expose Phoenix on the defensive end. They have to take away their strength by exposing them on the defensive end. Making them play defense will take away from their punch that they'll be able to deliver on the other end. When you have Andrew, Pau [Gasol], Lamar [Odom], maybe put Kobe and [Ron] Artest at the guards and make [Steve] Nash play either Kobe or Artest, you're going to have to deviate from the norm. That's up to the coaches. But I think the Lakers have to pound it inside. With that, they'll get them in foul trouble and will get to the line more. I think if they allow Nash to flow and they get those threes going, it could be difficult.
MM: What other X-factors do you see this in series, whether it be an individual performance or an overall area that's critical?
Worthy: The area that is most concerning for me is the bench. Phoenix's bench is scoring about 32 points per game and they are consistently doing that. The Lakers are at about 23. So when they're out of the game, [Jared] Dudley, [Goran] Dragic, really step it up with Grant Hill and some of those other players. That's going to be a concern. The bench has to continue to play. But I think [Amare] Stoudemire is a key factor for them and how he can put the ball on the floor and get our bigs in foul trouble. But other than that, their best lineup doesn't beat the Lakers, in my opinion.
Below are audio files of Worthy's conversation with Thompson and Siciliano:
Among the highlights:
Worthy's take on the Lakers-Suns series
Why Worthy believes Odom still needs to play more consistently
Worthy's recollections of the Showtime Era
What it was like for Worthy to play for Dean Smith and Pat Riley
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: James Worthy believes the Lakers will beat the Suns in the Western Conference Finals in five games. Credit: Los Angeles Times.
If Worthy says in 5 who am I to argue with a Legend.
Posted by: mamba24 | May 17, 2010 at 03:38 PM
MM - you should ask him if he has any interest in becoming the next coach of the Lakers.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 03:54 PM
Mark Medina -
Who picks up the tab for these luncheons? And how much does it set someone back?
And if it was for Legends, was Elvis in the house?
Posted by: Fatty | May 17, 2010 at 03:56 PM
Being lazy, having poor work ethic and on top of that injury prone is a pretty bad mixture. It's so funny that we all fall victim to those 1 out of every 10 games bynum plays like a real center.
Everyone says there's a lot of pressure in this team because it has the highest salary and they subconsciously equate it to talent (including me sometimes) but this team just has some horrible contracts: Vujacic, Bynum, Morrison. That's almost $30 Mil worth of nothing.
Posted by: David | May 17, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Justa
Thanks.. I'll be screamin till I can scream no more..
Section 105.. sorry no sign last minute but if luke plays then somebody better call security.. Haha..
Go lakers!
Posted by: yellofever | May 17, 2010 at 04:15 PM
LAKERS ALL TIME BEST SMALL FORWARD....LADIES AND GENTS LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU BIG GAME JAMES........
Posted by: Lakerfan | May 17, 2010 at 04:21 PM
And if it was for Legends, was Elvis in the house? Posted by: Fatty | May 17, 2010 at 03:56 PM
Sorry Fatty but, ELVIS HAS JUST LEFT THE BUILDING! lol!
Posted by: mamba24 | May 17, 2010 at 04:37 PM
Sorry Fatty but, ELVIS HAS JUST LEFT THE BUILDING! lol!
Posted by: mamba24
AND unfortunately we are stuck with Larry the cable IT guy...hahahahaha..
Posted by: Comcast | May 17, 2010 at 04:40 PM
AND unfortunately we are stuck with Larry the cable IT guy...hahahahaha..
Posted by: Comcast | May 17, 2010 at 04:40 PM
HMM, I prefer AT&T myself! LMAO!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | May 17, 2010 at 04:43 PM
Who picks up the tab for these luncheons? And how much does it set someone back?
Posted by: Fatty
Don't sweat it Fatty since you are not invited to the luncheon. Since you asked figure 60 dolla a pop with soft drink/salad/desert and no alcohol...BYOB..hahahahaha..by the add tax and tip..
Posted by: Comcast | May 17, 2010 at 04:48 PM
ONLY ONE HOUR TO GO!!!!
I'M SO EXCITED I'M STANDING BESIDE MYSELF!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 04:52 PM
what is the internet link for the game? I don't have cable.
Is it on the internet?
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | May 17, 2010 at 05:00 PM
wow, we made it through almost a whole week without a lakers game and overall we had very few tantrums. Some epically stupid trolls and apparently the requirement of a whole new security system which someone failed to reduce the personal insults at all, but....what was my point again? Oh yeah
WHAT TIME IS IT!? (ALMOST)??
IT IS GAME TIME BABY
SEE, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF COMING HERE JUST TO PICK FIGHTS, A WHOLE ONE CELTIC FAN ACTUALLY SAID SOMETHING NICE, IF ONLY TO ONE OF THE NICEST AND MOST POSITIVE PERSONS ON THIS BLOG, AT A TIME WHEN THE CELTICS AND THE LAKERS ARE NOT EVEN TECHNICALLY PLAYING EACH OTHER
WOO HOO
IT MUST ALL BE ABOUT THE LOVE
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: phred | May 17, 2010 at 05:04 PM
*someone failed = somehow failed.
me proofread good one day.
Posted by: phred | May 17, 2010 at 05:08 PM
Michael C. Teniente:
atdhe.net and click the Lakers link.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | May 17, 2010 at 05:15 PM
What the heck! Any decent L.A. bars to watch the game.
Near 3rd and Vermont.
Quick! Quick!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | May 17, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Tomorrow's Headline: "LAKER BIGS MAKE NASH EAT LEATHER!"
Sub-Heading: "Small Ball Neutered!!!"
GO LAKERS!!!! ONE, TWO, THREE, DOMINATE!!!!!!
Posted by: MarcB | May 17, 2010 at 05:23 PM
Always nice to have Big Game James in the house!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 17, 2010 at 05:30 PM
What? No Live Chat for Game 1 Western Conference Finals... :(
Posted by: MarcB | May 17, 2010 at 05:33 PM
MarcB - patience grasshopper... it'll be up soon!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Reporting live from staples
Seats still empty.. Early tip off not good for LA fans
pau farmar odom just got off the court shootin around about 15 min ago
Earlier it was adam and luke.. I watched luke practice 3 ptrs from the corner. I counted his last 10 and he made a total of 3.. No exaggeration.. And we talkin bout practice!!
Go lakers!
Posted by: yellofever | May 17, 2010 at 05:35 PM
yello!!!!!!!! Did you heckle Luke for that pitiful average?? LOL!
Any view of Kobe or Socks practicing?
DON"T FORGET TO SCREAM!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 05:37 PM
hey yello- you are at the game? sweet! I'm so jealous you get to see Luke in person! Oh, and the rest of the Lakers.
Posted by: phred | May 17, 2010 at 05:40 PM
Awaiting chat patiently. New iPad. New Series!
Posted by: MarcB | May 17, 2010 at 05:42 PM
MarcB - how's the iPad working out for you? I really want one, but don't know too much about how it would be for this kind of stuff....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 05:44 PM
Mike,
Here's 4 links: http://www.atdhe.net/index.html
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | May 17, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Justa, I'll let u know after the game. I literally just finished the setup. Might actually setup a Bluetooth keyboard for faster typing.
Posted by: MarcB | May 17, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Hey Yellow,
Can you give us regular updates during the game? Maybe tell us about the tings we don;t see on TV?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | May 17, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Do we have to write the code after every post Mark? I am...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | May 17, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Can we have a "what will the Lakers' biggest deficit tonight be" poll? The layoff, the hurt knees make me say--16!
I hope not, but I think it may be...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | May 17, 2010 at 05:51 PM
Make Them Obey....
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 17, 2010 at 05:52 PM
Just a, I just paired the bluetooth keyboard. Faster typing. Now for the chat...
Posted by: MarcB | May 17, 2010 at 05:53 PM
If you are at Staples, SCREAM YOUR LUNGS OUT!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 17, 2010 at 05:53 PM
WE ARE:
MOBILE
AGILE
HOSTILE
LET"S GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Umm... I just wrote a long game day prayer.
What happened to it? Another post written afterwards is up.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 17, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Sup Laker Family,
One more observation regarding the ECF. There's a strong similarity between last year's playoffs and this year so far. Last year, the Cavs swept both the Pistons and Hawks and then lost game 1 at home against the Magic and eventually lost the series. The Magic swept both the Bobcats and Hawks in the first two rounds and then lost at home in game 1 against the Celtics yesterday.
My contention is that like last year when the Lakers beat the Magic because of home court advantage, the Lakers again would have homecourt advantage against the Celtics should we both advance to the finals. First things first, must not overlook the Suns. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | May 17, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Does anyone else feel this way?
The real playoffs begin tonight...
Everything else was just practice..
Posted by: Fatty | May 17, 2010 at 05:55 PM
If those Staples fans can not get up for the Suns.....
Should be no problem in my book...
Posted by: Fatty | May 17, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Someone call the fashion police - Sager's breaking all kinda laws.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 17, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Flight of the Phoenix Crashes in LA!!!
GO LAKERS!!!! ONE, TWO, THREE, DOMINATE!!!!
Posted by: MarcB | May 17, 2010 at 05:59 PM
Thats a good little bit of poetry there Justa...the we are mobile...
WEs
Posted by: wesjoenixon | May 17, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Jon...whats the word on the street in Cleveland about LeBron? Are people upset?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | May 17, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Amazing how Kobe is the one left going after his 5th ring with Shaq and Duncan going down. The hunger still burns!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | May 17, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Mike T. try also Ilemi.com
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 17, 2010 at 06:05 PM
I guess we're doing this again...
[Game Day Prayer]
Let us pray...
Heavenly Father, thank you for your love, your grace, the beauty of your creation and the freedom you provide us in our lives.
We thank you that you have blessed us with what we believe is the best team in sports--the Los Angeles Lakers--a team that has brought so much joy, passion, and memories to us.
This blogmunity is composed of people of different backgrounds, different ages, different genders, different beliefs, different perspectives, different ethnicities, different experiences, different nationalities, diffferent political affiliations... but we all come together out of a common appreciation, an appreciation for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Out of that appreciation has come dialog, debate, humor, discussion, learning, and, yes, friendships. We thank you for that opportunity.
This blogmunity is much like the community of Los Angeles itself, a patchwork of people from different backgrounds and within all that diversity so much community pride is built upon the role and success of the Los Angeles Lakers. We thank you for that source of pride and ask that you continue to bless the franchise.
We thank you for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz--two teams that pressed our Lakers to grow towards their BEST. We ask you to bless the Phoenix Suns with the strength to press our Lakers to be their BEST and, above all, Heavenly Father, we ask you to lead our Los Angeles Lakers to know their BEST in VICTORY!
Lead us to VICTORY, oh Heavenly Father!
Many of us (including myself) are concerned about the injuries on our team. Heavenly Father, you are a healer, you have always been a healer, if it is within your will to heal our players so that they may play at the BEST of their physical game, then please heal our players.
Heavenly Father, we are not asking for things to be easy, we are asking for VICTORY and for our team to acheive its BEST. If it is within your will that some of our player know their BEST through playing with pain and through that pain acheive a Greatness that they could not know otherwise, please bless our players with the strength, fortitude, presence of mind, and equanimity to play through that pain and transcend to another level of Greatness in VICTORY!
Please bless and protect our players and the players of our competition from further injury.
Game Time! Lead us to VICTORY, Heavenly Father!
And in that VICTORY let us all be inspired in some way to strive for something Greater, something Better in all our lives.
Amen.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 17, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Ohhh boy. The beginning of the next step towards the ultimate goal.
Sends shivers.
Posted by: wildone | May 17, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Hey, if Big Game James says it, it must be true. (Although after tonight's whooping of the Suns (game 1), we may not need FIVE games to finish off the series.)
Posted by: SmartAssProducts.com | May 17, 2010 at 08:43 PM
Nice game...I enjoyed it.
Good night Lakers fans. Sweet Lakers dreams!
Posted by: Fatty | May 17, 2010 at 09:23 PM
sun is not a concern of mine.
i am worry about celtics.
obviously magic can not beat celtics. and with celtic's physical defense, they have already proven they can shut down the best of the best in names of wade, james, now howard. i do not think kobe can take on celtics defense and win ...
somebody prove me wrong !!!
Posted by: jay | May 18, 2010 at 05:20 AM
"LAKERS ALL TIME BEST SMALL FORWARD....LADIES AND GENTS LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU BIG GAME JAMES........
Posted by: Lakerfan | May 17, 2010 at 04:21 PM"
about Worthy's partners....he was the small forward and he played the majority of his career with 2 power forwards. ...let's not forget Kurt Rambis who threw his body into the action with absolutely no hesitation, it's a surprise that he does not walk around worse than PJ does; and A.C. Green, a very sound fundamental player who played the 4 position at 225 lbs, and held his own. He ran the lanes, always ready for Magic's bullet passes, he got under players skins with his tenacity, they both did their jobs, and did it well.
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | May 18, 2010 at 11:04 AM
"I watched luke practice 3 ptrs from the corner. I counted his last 10 and he made a total of 3.. No exaggeration.. And we talkin bout practice!!
Go lakers!
Posted by: yellofever | May 17, 2010 at 05:35 PM"
That's why I suggest we put a clipboard into his hands next season, not aiming him toward head coach, but assistant coach. He can still be on the roster as the 13th or 14th player at times, other times active (when healthy), but, I don't see enough benefit of waiting for the bulb to turn on, it's not going to....he's probably about 30 years old now, remember the days when players careers would be winding down around 30? His playing time could be used looking at future prospects, we've seen what he can do, and come playoff time, yeah, I would have him on the playoff roster, and put deactivate the young prospect.
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | May 18, 2010 at 11:14 AM
I just killed another blog......
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | May 19, 2010 at 12:53 AM