LOS ANGELES, CA - 1988: James Worthy #42 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the MVP Trophy after winning the 1988 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Jonah Sharf
On June 21, 1988, James Worthy led the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA Finals victory in Game 7 over the Detroit Pistons with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. This would be Worthy’s first career triple double, and contribute to his moniker of “Big Game James.” Worthy was named Finals MVP. The Lakers became the first NBA team to win back-to-back titles since the Boston Celtics in 1968 and 1969. This also made the Lakers the first team in NBA history to win three consecutive series in seven games.
