Worthy a Finalist

Four basketball figures with Laker ties -- James Worthy, Bill Sharman, Tex Winter and Chick Hearn -- and Clipper interim Coach Dennis Johnson were among 21 finalists announced Monday for the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Worthy was a starting forward for Laker championship teams in 1985, ’87 and ’88. Sharman coached the Lakers to the NBA title and a league-record 33-game winning streak in 1971-72. Winter, credited with developing the triangle offense, is in his fourth season as a Laker assistant. Hearn, the legendary broadcaster, died Aug. 5.

The group of finalists is the largest nominated by the North American screening committee, which considers the men’s college and pro games. Other former NBA players nominated along with Johnson were Robert Parish, Gus Johnson, Maurice Cheeks, Adrian Dantley, Bobby Jones, Chet Walker and Walter Davis.