James Worthy breaks down why the 1987 Lakers are better than the 2001 Lakers

Fans often enjoy comparing championship-winning teams across eras to debate which would be more dominant in a head-to-head matchup. Among the iconic Los Angeles Lakers teams are the 1986-87 Showtime team and the 2000-01 coach Phil Jackson's team, both of whom won championships while imposing their will through dominant playing style. 

When asked about this hypothetical matchup, James Worthy confidently stated that his 1987 team would dominate Shaq & Co., citing their experience and ability to force mistakes against even the most capable opponents.

Worthy on why his 1987 team would beat the 2001 squad

The 2000-01 Lakers team secured their second consecutive championship behind the dominant duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, both of whom were among the top 10 MVP candidates that season. Each of them averaged over 28.4 points per game to lead the team to boast the second-best offensive rating. However, their supporting cast was less consistent offensively, with only Derek Fisher also averaging double-digit points (11.5 per game).

Moreover, despite their offensive power, the team's defense lagged, ranking among the league's bottom 10.

In contrast, the 1986-87 Lakers were a well-rounded powerhouse. Seven players averaged double-digits in scoring, showcasing depth and balance. The team boasted Magic Johnson, who won the MVP after leading the league in assists, and Michael Cooper, who was named the DPOY that season after coming off the bench for 80 games. Defensively, that team ranked seventh overall in the league, which showcased their strong camaraderie on both ends of the court.

Highlighting the same, "Big Game James" emphasized why his team was a more dominant opponent than the '01 Lakers.

"There's no answer for that. When people bring up, 'Were you better than the team?' Unless I've been on the court with you, I can't gauge that. Now do I think if I can bust some a--? Yeah! I know what our team was about. People say. 'We can't shoot the three.' We had some three-point shooters… Ain't nobody more athletic that him (Byron Scott) and Coop, I could run, Cap could get up the floor," Worthy said. "I don't like to compare but I'm gonna go with us. Shaq was a beat but could he stay out of foul trouble on that skyhook? I don't know."

Would the 3-Point shooting make any difference?

The 2001 Lakers played during an era with an increasing emphasis on three-point shooting. However, the team was not particularly efficient from beyond the arc, shooting just 34.4 percent collectively. On the other hand, while the 1987 Lakers attempted only 5.5 three-pointers per game, their accuracy was higher, at 36.7 percent, with several players shooting over 38 percent from long range. This efficiency would have given them an edge in exploiting defensive gaps.

Furthermore, with both teams having thrived in the paint, the 1987 Lakers had the luxury of having a 39-year-old Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who played 78 games, healthy and capable of averaging 17.5 points per game. So, it does seem safe to state that his presence would have challenged O'Neal in the post.

While the matchup remains hypothetical, it does seem that the 1987 Lakers had better depth, defensive prowess, and efficient play to dominate the 2001 team that had prime Shaq on their roster. Either way, it would be a joy to watch.