James A. Worthy's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech

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  • Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
  • Dean Smith introduces James A. Worthy as he delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2003. To learn more about James A. Worthy take a look at his official Hall of Fame bio at www.hoophall.co...

Комментарии • 163

  • @gtbikes69
    @gtbikes69 12 лет назад +52

    My absolute favorite player ever. James was a devastating player. There was no answer for him. Beautiful to watch, one of a kind.

    • @dusk6159
      @dusk6159 3 года назад +1

      Pretty insane how Wilt and Big Game James' voices are similar too. Fitting for all-around and one of a kind phenomenons (especially in the NCAA) like them to have this kind of connection.
      Big Game James to another James, in Lebron, and with a nice coincidence like this too with the great Chamberlain? All fitting.

    • @adamdorgant9454
      @adamdorgant9454 9 месяцев назад

      Agreed!!!

  • @2dasimmons
    @2dasimmons 5 лет назад +25

    God bless iconic James Worthy, his DAD, and Dean Smith. These are phenomenal folk😍

  • @nunyabusiness7927
    @nunyabusiness7927 5 лет назад +82

    When Dean Smith passed away, James Worthy said that he was the finest person he's ever known. Respect.

    • @charleshendrick8657
      @charleshendrick8657 4 года назад +1

      Ukoo

    • @adamdorgant9454
      @adamdorgant9454 3 года назад +1

      Agreed on that!!!!

    • @Amick44
      @Amick44 3 года назад +4

      Jordan holds him (coach Dean) in high regards as well. Many do. Charlie Scott, to name another.

    • @aarondigby9859
      @aarondigby9859 2 года назад +3

      I know Dean Smith was a great coach.

  • @elevatedmind5365
    @elevatedmind5365 8 лет назад +53

    I start tearing up whenever these inductees talk about the struggle and sacrifice their parents went through to help them get to where they are. Always genuine...

  • @dave474c
    @dave474c 11 лет назад +88

    James Worthy is all class. On and off the court.

    • @markparrish6283
      @markparrish6283 4 года назад +2

      He sure is! 👏

    • @Butter-gz4kb
      @Butter-gz4kb 4 года назад +2

      Mark Parrish I like Worthy too. Didn’t he get caught with a hooker? He was charged.

    • @markparrish6283
      @markparrish6283 4 года назад +1

      Butter 2926 I do recall there was a news that he did but it was proven false.

    • @Butter-gz4kb
      @Butter-gz4kb 4 года назад +3

      Mark Parrish I didn’t know that. I met Worthy after game years ago. He took time to sign and answer a few questions

    • @markparrish6283
      @markparrish6283 4 года назад +1

      You were 1 of the lucky ones. 👌 I regret not going to some "Showtime" games. But I watched the Lakers all throughout the 80s.

  • @chucpresley-clubb303
    @chucpresley-clubb303 10 лет назад +28

    I'm so very PROUD of my fellow hometown guy from Gastonia, North Carolina, USA---and Ashbrook High School *Green Wave* grad---Mr. James Worthy!
    GO ACC & North Carolina *Tar Heels*!

  • @DavidHolcomb1776
    @DavidHolcomb1776 8 лет назад +55

    He is a true champion and a great player and MJ can thank him for bringing the Heels that '82 Title.13 of 17 from the floor on 28 pts.

    • @dusk6159
      @dusk6159 3 года назад

      Nailed it, Big Game James AND in the NCAA as well, carrying.
      And it's a monstrous feat to surpass Worthy's value in the NBA (especially in the Playoffs and Finals) already.

    • @JamesSmith-qr7be
      @JamesSmith-qr7be 3 года назад +3

      They can thank each other Jordan had the most rebounds and obviously nailed the shot that mattered. I watched that game last night both players were exceptional they won it as a team. But yes Worthy was a standout 28 points . . .

    • @aarondigby9859
      @aarondigby9859 2 года назад +1

      @@JamesSmith-qr7be that team was James Worthy at times he was unstoppable.

    • @temjin44
      @temjin44 Год назад +1

      Big gamesJames before the nickname. Jordan should thank Worthy for that championship

  • @davidpadilla9468
    @davidpadilla9468 6 лет назад +19

    Big game james had the best one step move of any basketball player that I have ever seen in watching the game since 1965 wow beautiful move unstoppBle.

  • @johnliaban2876
    @johnliaban2876 5 лет назад +43

    One of the best to play at small forward.. quickest first step n statue of liberty dunk..

    • @omarrsullivan4516
      @omarrsullivan4516 4 года назад +3

      I was so blessed to witness that night in, night out on Prime Ticket

    • @tommylove9270
      @tommylove9270 4 года назад

      ...Yes you're right, he scored on meny opponents with that back!
      Them down quick turn to the basket "DUNK"...

  • @fungidungie
    @fungidungie 5 лет назад +14

    I rooted against most of the Lakers back then but not him, he just got it done. So happy to see him get his recognition. Good job James.

  • @troyyes6927
    @troyyes6927 9 лет назад +24

    To me he was the best ever play this game. He has touch like Magic, shot like Bird and move like Michael. Pat Riley said it the best " If you ask a computer to design a perfect small forward, it would produce James Worthy ". I couldn't agree more.

    • @jasonburdette7879
      @jasonburdette7879 7 лет назад +1

      Great player

    • @increasinginfaithmarcella.208
      @increasinginfaithmarcella.208 6 лет назад +3

      Troy Yes yeah he’s big game James alright I remember when he call two Escorts and got caught. Isn’t one enough? This guy wanted two. He a great player alright!! I love him. Great player in both ways.

    • @maniacmasturbator2411
      @maniacmasturbator2411 5 лет назад +2

      Increasing In Faith Marcell A.J magic did 5 at one time.
      And they say Jordan was one who liked to go 1 on 5

    • @markrichardson1657
      @markrichardson1657 3 года назад +1

      never a truer word spoken

    • @adamdorgant9454
      @adamdorgant9454 3 года назад

      Great Player!!!!

  • @CoachDarren
    @CoachDarren 4 года назад +11

    RIP Coach Smith you were one of the best and coached many greats!

    • @adamdorgant9454
      @adamdorgant9454 9 месяцев назад

      Yes indeed!!!!🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

  • @eligahmurrayjr1541
    @eligahmurrayjr1541 4 года назад +6

    "BIG Game"James Worthy...what a great guy...his quick step is unmatched with that Statue of Liberty DUNK....One of the best to ever do it! Class personified!

  • @cubswin3838
    @cubswin3838 Год назад +1

    The presentation by Coach Smith was great. Big Game was UNC through-and- through! Classy!

  • @Mykford1
    @Mykford1 8 лет назад +30

    Worthy was the most quiet scorer of all time. He'd always have like 15 more points than you thought he had.

    • @uncletony6210
      @uncletony6210 8 лет назад +3

      +Myk Ford he averaged about 20, seems like it was always about 12 in the first quarter, then about 8 in the last 5 minutes.

    • @Mykford1
      @Mykford1 8 лет назад +1

      +Uncle Tony .....yeah seems like I would remember him going on scoring droughts then wake up when it mattered.

    • @cubswin3838
      @cubswin3838 Год назад

      He was the Lakers' barometer. I think Tommy Heinson said that. When JW had a game, the Lakers did, too!

  • @stuartperry8141
    @stuartperry8141 4 года назад +5

    People forget how good James Worthy was at North Carolina, he was the star of the team that won the championship by far. Although Michael Jordan was on that team Worthy was the best player in 1982.

  • @ShunyamNiketana
    @ShunyamNiketana 5 лет назад +4

    Gratitude, humility, sincerity, all with a dash of subtle humor. I'm guessing he was a great teammate.

  • @cianreyes8820
    @cianreyes8820 8 лет назад +25

    one of my favorite players of all time. Big Game James!!! Go Lakers!

  • @CoachDarren
    @CoachDarren 4 года назад +18

    Michael Jordan hit the big shot in 82 that jumped started his career but North Carolina does not win that championship without James Whorty. For sure without a doubt one of the best Lakers of all time and one of the NBA's great players of all time.

    • @aureliusconley4165
      @aureliusconley4165 3 года назад +1

      My boy big game James.

    • @aarondigby9859
      @aarondigby9859 2 года назад +1

      @@aureliusconley4165 definitely one of the type five Tarheels of all time.

    • @smokeyjoe795
      @smokeyjoe795 Год назад +1

      Michael was wide open for that shot because Georgetown was trying to keep Worthy from getting the ball. James was dominant.

    • @CoachDarren
      @CoachDarren Год назад

      @@smokeyjoe795 exactly 💯 percent facts

  • @edwardmcmanus7496
    @edwardmcmanus7496 Месяц назад +2

    Life long BOSTON CELTICS fan here. Back during those great 80s, specifically when the CELTICS & Lakers were going at each other James Worthy was the Laker who I feared the most. The CELTICS had no answer for him. He was the integral part of their unstoppable fast break. He was just so fast. Congratulations James. The most underrated Laker .

  • @marcuscrowley6496
    @marcuscrowley6496 4 года назад +9

    I’m really shocked that he didn’t mention Magic or Pat Reilly. Other than that, James spoke well and is obviously a classy guy.

  • @gwenmarie7311
    @gwenmarie7311 6 лет назад +17

    Honey Thats when Showtime Was Showtime❤❤❤

  • @jimmiesumner8923
    @jimmiesumner8923 5 лет назад +4

    James changed my path, I watched he an Floyd play where I played 5 to 6 days a week, Phillips center, after that I knew I was to work for my dad in heating and cooling business, thanks James

  • @jstinson7072
    @jstinson7072 6 лет назад +5

    Big Game James is #25 all-time of my list of all-time greats! If you havent had a chance go watch some of his old highlights...he was simply amazing!

  • @johnliaban2876
    @johnliaban2876 6 лет назад +14

    James 'Express Worthy...statue of liberty dunks..best ever small forward.

  • @wadesaleeby2172
    @wadesaleeby2172 Год назад +1

    Man...what a Man ☺️ Thank you Mr. Worthy...you are definitely worthy! ❤️👏🌞

  • @terrypeden6792
    @terrypeden6792 5 лет назад +5

    Great speech! As parents, we give all!

  • @Madawg65
    @Madawg65 12 лет назад +14

    Best spin to the hoop ever

  • @barroningram7286
    @barroningram7286 4 года назад +1

    geez this choked me up , seeing a man so humble and thankful and all the love he showed to others

  • @alexmanuel9604
    @alexmanuel9604 6 лет назад +10

    That Brilliant. Big. Games. James. appreciated and RESPECT to you. And. Your family. AM. Big time. Lakers. For life. REAL TALKED

  • @alekesam
    @alekesam 11 лет назад +5

    Total truth. I met him briefly at an art store in Santa Monica. He was getting supplies for her.

  • @kentinatl
    @kentinatl 5 лет назад +3

    3 OF MY FAVORITE NBA PLAYERS EVER ARE KAREEM,MAGIC AND THIS MAN:JAMES WORTHY..OH THE MEMORIES OF WATCHING HIM..YOU YOUNG KIDS OUT THERE NEVER REALLY GOT TO SEE HIS GAME AFTER GAME BRILLIANCE BUT BELIEVE ME AND RUclips...HE WAS AWESOME!!!!

  • @BNM0826
    @BNM0826 4 года назад +1

    Inspiring and humble...Do we as a society need more than that? Yes, and for someone who put himself out there for the world to see and give us excitement, definitely yes. We need to learn from it and keep pushing for positive people like James to maintain. As for the speech. for a special night, James said everything that needed to be said in a way it needed to be said. Hoping the message reaches all.....God bless you brother and Thank you for your contribution to society.

  • @stephenkennedy8767
    @stephenkennedy8767 4 года назад +1

    What a sincere and classy individual Mr Worthy is!!!!!

  • @thinkcivil1627
    @thinkcivil1627 3 года назад +2

    Worthy always seemed to be a peace maker on the floor and you had to respect his smooth game. He could close on a drive inside with another gear that you would miss if you blinked your eyes. That team was flat out loaded with talent.

  • @dhui777
    @dhui777 12 лет назад +7

    Great player. Great family.

  • @2dasimmons
    @2dasimmons 5 лет назад +6

    Ooh love Kareem Abdul Jabbar and see Chuck Daley in the audience.

  • @andre7250
    @andre7250 5 лет назад +8

    CLASS PERSONIFIED!!!

  • @addycorp2
    @addycorp2 12 лет назад +15

    james speech starts at 11.50

    • @drummajor
      @drummajor 4 года назад

      Coach Smith is a God to both James and MJ. You don't want to miss his speech. A glimpse into why he's so revered.

  • @AJWYUN
    @AJWYUN 4 года назад +2

    Loved watching “Show Time”. Magic, Kareem, McAdoo, Cooper and Worthy it was fun basketball.

  • @johnb4467
    @johnb4467 Год назад

    What a well-spoken gentleman. I had honestly never really heard him speak much over the years he played, and hearing him here was a real pleasure.

  • @philipatoz
    @philipatoz 5 лет назад +2

    Oh what a finisher he was on the fast break! Total class!

  • @atlaslion5128
    @atlaslion5128 6 лет назад +5

    Well deserved Mr. Worthy.

  • @edwardhuang8837
    @edwardhuang8837 7 лет назад +11

    Always a class act

  • @custodianfile
    @custodianfile 3 месяца назад

    I went to the apple pan today in los angeles and randomly sat down next to James Worthy. I heard him mention the name jerry buss , Dr. Jerry was my neighbor. We talk for 25 minutes. Mr Worthy is an amazing human being , my wife and I are very grateful for the encounter. 7-4-24

  • @tomswill9189
    @tomswill9189 4 года назад +3

    The great James Worthy. And Dean Smith. Worthy was a bad man.

  • @shamadam1
    @shamadam1 4 года назад +3

    He held his own alongside Kareem and Magic and that says it all

  • @vdLeo-je6os
    @vdLeo-je6os 6 лет назад +10

    ONE OF THE BEST CHARACTERS EVER PLAYED IN NBA !!!

  • @DoubleVisionandco
    @DoubleVisionandco 11 лет назад +5

    Big Game James was lightning fast. He would be at the goal and slamming it in before the opposite teams players even realized he'd taken a step. Worthy and Magic were deadly force together.

  • @trevmo
    @trevmo 11 лет назад +7

    Best drop step on the box ever........

  • @roanokebrooks
    @roanokebrooks 4 года назад +3

    I like the ACC basketball legend, Big Game James.

  • @phild8095
    @phild8095 Год назад +1

    As a Celtics fan from back then, Mr. Worthy was a man who was respected for is professionalism in basketball. He played the game as a samurai, graceful speed, respect for the game, respect for opponents, and an ultimate warrior's intensity. He also played an impressive Klingon on a TV episode. Larry could not have carried that off as well as James Worthy did. Neither could have Kareem or Magic. That was a role meant to be played, just as he would do on court.

  • @vinceviselli3805
    @vinceviselli3805 3 года назад +2

    James Worthy is one of the best forward...

  • @juandavidson9111
    @juandavidson9111 8 месяцев назад

    that was one beautiful speech by James Worthy!

  • @STONESGAM
    @STONESGAM 3 года назад +2

    Worthy had good stats and is definitely a HOF''R. He was great in College as well and was actually thought to be better than teammate Michael Jordan for one of their years there.
    He was a big game player and his efficiency and shooting percentage was always amongst the best in the league. His career is sometimes hard to judge because he played alongside two of the all time greats in Kareem and Magic.
    I think if he played on a different team where he was the main man he would have averaged 25 pts and 7-8 boards rather than the 20pts and 5 -6 he averaged with L.A. He had to share his points with the other stars on the team. Class guy too.

  • @wonderfulwatsoncpa
    @wonderfulwatsoncpa 5 лет назад +4

    Big Game James!!! Much respect!

  • @reimannx33
    @reimannx33 8 месяцев назад

    Unstoppable below the post, and the quickest first step. Decent man.

  • @CameronMcCaffrey-e7p
    @CameronMcCaffrey-e7p 25 дней назад

    One of the coolest to ever play the game. He carried himself admirably on this special night.

  • @clementomoregie9093
    @clementomoregie9093 10 лет назад +8

    BIG GAME JAMES!!!!

  • @SixFoHopper
    @SixFoHopper 12 лет назад +5

    Big Game James. Class act.

  • @jamesfarmerii7166
    @jamesfarmerii7166 3 года назад +1

    Big Game James one of my favorites!

  • @capitanfuturo594
    @capitanfuturo594 3 года назад +1

    James Worthy was an amazing player.

  • @cheetahlip
    @cheetahlip 4 года назад +2

    Wow. Great speech. So we’ll spoken.

  • @TwoThreeForever
    @TwoThreeForever 11 лет назад +1

    Class act by Big Game James. He reminds me a lot of John Salley by his looks & the way he speaks.

  • @RonCarpenter-ty8ll
    @RonCarpenter-ty8ll 4 месяца назад

    Amazing person who was also a fantastic basketball player.

  • @shanenolan85
    @shanenolan85 5 лет назад +5

    Big Game James 🏀🏆🏆🏆♓

  • @ebenesfan2011
    @ebenesfan2011 12 лет назад +9

    class act

  • @Jahseph021
    @Jahseph021 5 лет назад +6

    He and M.J. got the same voice

  • @grahamjoseph00
    @grahamjoseph00 3 года назад +1

    Most underrated and unappreciated Laker ever period

  • @bluegregory6239
    @bluegregory6239 Год назад

    I love Big Game James! Just saw his interview on 'Knuckleheads'. Growing up in Minnesota, I became a Lakers fan in the early 80s. (At that time, you kinda had to choose between Philly, Boston, or the Lakers). Mr. Worthy is one of my 4 favorite players in NBA history, along with Magic, Kobe, and MJ. I still believe that the 1987 Lakers were the best team to ever play in the NBA. That team was loaded.

  • @rogercollington3076
    @rogercollington3076 3 года назад +2

    When Magic Johnson held a press conference to announce he was retiring from the NBA because of the aids virus, my female, best friend called me from Florida to console me. I'm watching the announcement in New Jersey, and i tell her ... 'You're so sweet to call, but James Worthy is my favorite player on the Lakers team'. She stopped crying, and called me an ass! 🤣🤣🤣 Love you Napolitano! Always!!😘😊😊

  • @aarondigby9859
    @aarondigby9859 2 года назад

    Dean Smith, Frank Maguire, Lefty Dreisell, the ACC and it's legendary coaches.

  • @sgthjennings
    @sgthjennings 8 лет назад +3

    One of a kind.. Dope!!!!

  • @NolaWarrior
    @NolaWarrior 4 года назад +1

    Wow. What a class act.

  • @martinhanley9524
    @martinhanley9524 3 года назад +2

    Class

  • @MikeEagleIII
    @MikeEagleIII 3 года назад +2

    Class act all the way

  • @stevencoffman34
    @stevencoffman34 4 года назад +1

    So many lakers in the hall of fame many more will follow we rule the hall

  • @c.san.8751
    @c.san.8751 Год назад

    James worthy is right up there with Dr. J, Larry, MJ, Kareem, Bill Russell and Wilt in my opinion.

  • @bennyzabala1426
    @bennyzabala1426 6 лет назад +7

    Statue of liberty if you know what i mean

  • @darrylnelson05
    @darrylnelson05 4 года назад +3

    North Carolina went further in the NCAA tournament while James Worthy was on the team, than they did after he left and Jordan was still at Carolina. Worthy was better than Jordan at Carolina.

  • @themoneytree622
    @themoneytree622 6 лет назад +4

    BIG GAME JAMES!! SHOW TIME LAKERS!!

  • @HeavySixer
    @HeavySixer Год назад

    #42 - pure CLASS!

  • @tppwttiger2244
    @tppwttiger2244 3 года назад

    James Worthy and his spin move. 14/50

  • @cubswin3838
    @cubswin3838 2 года назад

    MacaDoo, Dean Smith, how not love of UNC! James Worthy loved UNC and the Lakers. Loved Kareem and Jerry West.

  • @jameslising2890
    @jameslising2890 9 лет назад +2

    Beautiful

    • @mcentepede
      @mcentepede 8 лет назад +1

      This is one hell of an interview, class act all the way....he even gave credit to his brothers and parents, saying they're the reason he is even in the HOF. Also commented on the great Boston/Lakers rivalry of the 80's by saying he owes Robert Parish (another class speech BTW) some elbows from their physicality games

  • @ProdSangreNueva
    @ProdSangreNueva 2 года назад

    I guess that many kids take sports to help themselves go to college, It’s just not so common that you find out that such an electrifying player didn’t even care about basketball that much before having the need. Amazing.

  • @bigh9884
    @bigh9884 4 года назад +2

    Big game James!

  • @an152771
    @an152771 Год назад +1

    He was integral to Showtime

  • @jimperez2217
    @jimperez2217 Год назад +1

    You have to be Worthy enough to help lead this "LAKER" NATION through them championships
    Big Game James!!

  • @jordenvereker1792
    @jordenvereker1792 8 лет назад +4

    I'm related to james

  • @adamdorgant9454
    @adamdorgant9454 3 года назад

    Big Game James!!!!🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

  • @JCGErvin
    @JCGErvin 7 лет назад +1

    2 heroes

  • @alexatanasie3302
    @alexatanasie3302 Год назад +1

    💜💛

  • @Dusterbugless
    @Dusterbugless 2 года назад +1

    You don’t get the name like big game James for nothing. Play offs and finals. The only player in nba history to have a triple double in game 7 of the finals

  • @vanishing_girl
    @vanishing_girl 11 лет назад +5

    did he thank Magic?

  • @user-wv4xc1us6u
    @user-wv4xc1us6u 6 месяцев назад

    Big game JAMES 👊🏽

  • @almooremoore4077
    @almooremoore4077 5 лет назад +2

    big game james

  • @TwoThreeForever
    @TwoThreeForever 11 лет назад

    his jersey IS retired in the rafters @ Staples Center.

  • @Yankeesfanforlife5
    @Yankeesfanforlife5 10 лет назад +3

    Very Humble.
    Seem like just great guy.
    I hear Jordan is jerk.

  • @Grizzlybear1914
    @Grizzlybear1914 4 года назад +2

    Guess he didn't thank magic I guess Kareem was the mentor

    • @shamadam1
      @shamadam1 4 года назад +2

      Kareem was the mentor to a whole generation... Stats wise, demeanour, intelligence , professionalism... Yes MJ is the 🐐 but heck kareems got a strong case