"When I felt myself not wanting to do that anymore, I knew it was the end for me" - James Worthy on why he retired from basketball

James Worthy was one of the most prolific players of the 1980s due to his status as one of the focal points of the legendary "Showtime" Lakers teams. He combined with Earvin "Magic" Johnson to form one of the most exciting duos on the fast breaks, as they were poetry in motion on the open floor.

When the Lakers' era started to slow in the early 1990s, Worthy fell out of love with basketball. It was unfortunate, but Worthy was not playing as well as he hoped, and he retired after the 1993/94 season, 12 years after his debut.

"It was a tough decision. I had a couple more years left, I probably could not started, but I could have played a year or two," Worthy said in his documentary. "It wasn't fun anymore. I used to love going to practice and be around my teammates, but once the fun was gone, when I felt myself not wanting to do that anymore, I knew it was the end for me."

Worthy was a top-tier star for the Lakers

Most people's attention always went to Magic or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar . However, the Lakers had Big Game James as one of their best players and a reliable offensive option. Johnson was not the most prolific scorer, so Worthy was the de facto second option after Kareem, even becoming the number one scorer when Cap slowed down.

Worthy was not just a scorer but a well-rounded player who could defend at a high level. He was the perfect selection with the number one overall pick in 1982 because, compared to Dominique Wilkins, who was the third pick, he did not need the touches to be effective.

James also had the innate ability to step up when needed, as he became one of the best players on the floor during crunch time. He would hit more mid-range jump shots and break through defenses to cut into the paint, where Magic would find him with a pinpoint pass.

That reliability in the clutch made Chick Hern's moniker "Big Game James" appropriate for him. Worthy earned three championship rings, Finals MVP, seven All-Star Game appearances, and two All-NBA Team nods. He should get remembered that way, even if he had a quiet exit compared to Magic and Kareem.

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Stepping away was the best decision for Worthy

Even though he was only 33 years old when he retired, it was the best path for Worthy to take. The UNC alumnus needed to retire from the game because his love for playing basketball faded away. It is normal for an athlete to feel that way, so it was a good decision.

The significant injuries he sustained throughout his career also factored into his decision. He had an ankle injury in 1991 and a season-ending knee issue in 1992. Those injuries took away much of his athleticism and quickness, leading to a dip in his productivity.

He might have retired from basketball, but Worthy remained close to the association. He has become a regular on the Lakers broadcasts and is often tapped as one of the most reliable people to talk to when something happens with the LA franchise. Worthy remains healthy, as he had an easier time handling his health without the rigors of the NBA.

Related: Why James Worthy believes some college players struggled when moving up to the NBA - "You're dependent on your athletic ability"