James Worthy talks about the evolution of the NBA Big and what players should be trying to sign.
The NBA is a constantly changing league. Simply put, players who stagnate and refuse to go to the flow often fail to build a long career in the league.
A prime example of this is the rise of the modern three-point. So at one point I realized that many traditional big names were on the verge of exit from the NBA.
“Big left until he revolutionized himself. Suddenly he got a (Nicola) Jokic and filmed three centers,” James Worthy said recently.
Nicola Jokic is just one of many examples mentioned by La Lakers legend James Worthy.
For decades, the center was expected to crash paint and grab a rebound while earning points from there.
But, as worthy, Jokic changed that and many players followed the path to success in the hopes of finding a good career.
“Brook Lopez is almost out of the league and learned how to shoot three people, so now you’re saying it big, it’s a different kind of size.
“It’s not artist Gilmore, not Kareem (Abdul Jabber), not a big name of the past, not even David Robinson.
So, what is the importance of knowing this? Well, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to search open markets and find players that fit this description in the upcoming offseason.
He compared Jokic to Magic Johnson, so he couldn’t gain great acclaim for the Denver Nuggets star.
“That’s what we’re seeing. And I think he’s just controlling the person who fixed it all, the 7-foot magical Johnson who can pass, filming, the game.”
But are modern centers limited to attacking elites? no.
“Yeah, the center is important, and defensively for us, if you look at what Minnesota did with the goat, then you look at the rim protectors, not the great offensive guy.
Purple and gold should be scouting as the typical players named Jarrett Allen and Bam Adebayo when the Lakers parted ways with the hit Luca Donsic trade.
“It’s the other kinds of centres, bum, allen, mobley, the kind of guys who quickly go up and down the floor to protect the rims.