“Racist as hell” – Magic Johnson’s teammate and Lakers legend gets candid about HATING Boston to this day

Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics boast one of the most intense and storied rivalries in the history of the NBA.

“Racist as hell” – Magic Johnson’s teammate and Lakers legend gets candid about HATING Boston to this day

Magic Johnson and James Worthy (Credits: ESPN)

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics share one of the most intense and historic rivalries in the NBA. Their fierce competition has been evident in heated regular season games and memorable battles in the NBA Finals, creating a rich history of rivalry between the two teams. In fact, Lakers legend James Worthy seems to have an unending feud with the Celtics.

Talking to Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes on All The Smoke podcast, Worthy shed light on his hatred for Boston. He discussed the racial hostility he and other Lakers players experienced from Boston fans, who showed no leniency when the Lakers visited the city.

YouTube video

“My uncle lived in Boston in the 60s man, it was racist as hell,” Worthy said. Worthy also explained that they had two options for routes in Boston. One was taking a longer route to avoid confrontations with hostile fans, while the other involved getting dropped off at the same subway stop as the Celtics fans. During the latter option, as Worthy described it, “they would just give it to you” in terms of fan hostility and taunts.

FS Video

However, the three-time NBA champion stated that he welcomed the animosity and reiterated that he remains unconcerned about visiting Boston even to this day. “Great town if you live there. But I hated Boston. I don’t really care to visit,” he added.

Also Read: Hornets’ Mikal Bridges to face legal charges after SHOCKING alleged abuse of ex-girlfriend

James Worthy carved himself a legendary NBA career

James Worthy, nicknamed “Big Game James,” was renowned for his exceptional performance in clutch moments and high-pressure situations. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing 225 pounds, Worthy was a prominent forward who contributed to the Los Angeles Lakers for 12 seasons.

James Worthy
James Worthy (Credits: NBA)

Worthy was known for his remarkable speed and agility, frequently capping off plays with stylish one-handed dunks. His versatility was evident in the low-post, where he showcased a wide range of offensive maneuvers, rendering him nearly unstoppable.

He maintained an impressive scoring average, ranging between 17.6 and 21.4 points for eight consecutive seasons. Worthy was a perfect fit for the Lakers’ fast-paced style of play and their post-up offensive strategy.

Worthy made a name for himself as a standout player on the 1982 NCAA championship team at North Carolina, where he earned the MVP title of the Final Four. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 NBA draft and played a pivotal role in leading the Lakers to championships in 1985, 1987, and 1988, contributing to a total of seven appearances in the NBA Finals.

In Case You Missed: