The Lakers have created a new position for Hall of Famer James Worthy: Assistant coach/television analyst.
During their media day on Monday, the Lakers announced the addition of "Big Game James" to their coaching staff, the team announced as reported by Lakersnation.com.
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But Worthy will retain his role as television analyst with Time Warner Cable.
"In his position, Worthy will work with head coach Byron Scott and his staff, focusing his attention on working with the Lakers big men, the team said in a news release. "He will accompany the team to Hawaii for training camp and will continue to work with Lakers players throughout the season. Worthy will also continue his role on Time Warner Cable SportsNet as an analyst for the network's Lakers coverage."
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The Lakers are coming off their worst season in franchise history in 2014-15, going 21-61 under then-first-year coach Byron Scott. Scott, who is a link to one of the Lakers' dynasty teams -- the Lakers Showtime teams of the 1980s -- now has another former Laker with a championship pedigree with Worthy, another Showtime starter.
Los Angeles also announced the hiring of Tracy Murray, a one-time Laker, as a shooting consultant, as tweeted by Yahoo Sports.
The Lakers have hired former sharpshooter Tracy Murray as a shooting consultant during training camp and possibly further.— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) September 28, 2015
As much as the Lakers are trying return to the ranks of contender, they also seem to be on a quest to instill a championship attitude in the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. The Lakers signed Metta World Peace, a 2010 ring winner with the Lakers, to continue his mentorship of Randle and the other L.A. bigs and now have Worthy to provide more guidance.
And while Bryant is looking to close his career -- whether it's this year or beyond -- by adding a final chapter of resurrecting the franchise, he added that developing the Lakers young core is the biggest priority in 2015-16.
Kobe: "The important thing is these young guys develop and to be there when they have questions."— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 28, 2015
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