UNC legend and 1982 national champion James Worthy met with some media Friday evening to discuss his time at UNC, the NBA and the things he learned from Dean Smith. Worthy is UNC’s representative as an ACC Legend this weekend and will be introduced at halftime of the Carolina game tonight.
Worthy was a two-time All-America, National Player of the Year in some services in 1982, and was the No. 1 pick in the 1982 NBA draft. He was named several years ago as one of the NBA’s 50 best players of all time. He won 5 NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here are some excerpts of what Worthy had to say Friday:
On if the sense of accomplishment of winning championships grows over time
I think it does. When you win it, obviously if it’s your first one or your second one, but over time it’s like a fine wine. Over time they get more important, and it means a lot more. Winning a championship, you never want to settle for anything less after that.
On how the ACC Tournament has changed since when he played in it
I feel like I’m in the Big East conference all of a sudden (Laughter), in a lot of ways. To me, it’s always the same – ACC Tournament, March Madness. I don’t really know what the rules are, if they changed or anything like that, it’s always the same. Ever since I was watching back in ’73, ’72, when I was a kid, it’s always been memorable and intense.
On what UNC memory he holds dearest after all of these years
Meeting Coach Smith for the first time in 8th grade and then getting a scholarship there and then winning his firsts, they all kind of go together.
On winning two ACC Tournaments and if the one in 1982 stands out more than the one in 1981 because they won the national title a few weeks later
I think it does. The fact that we had lost to Indiana the year before and we were on a mission to get Coach Smith’s first one. So, I think winning that one in Greensboro kind of guaranteed we were going to be playing in Charlotte and then Raleigh (in the NCAAs), so that was a good start.
On what it was like winning the national title and then going first overall to the reigning NBA champion Lakers
It was great. Usually the number one pick goes to the worst team, I got a chance to go to the Lakers, because I think in ’77 or ’78 they made a trade to Cleveland for Cleveland’s number one draft pick, and Cleveland fell straight to the bottom and we were able to get that pick, so I went to a team that didn’t really need me. I didn’t have to star, I didn’t have to go through all the things that a number one pick usually goes through. But it was a blessing in disguise, I was there with (former Tar Hell All-American) Mitch Kupchak, a Carolina guy, it was great, I just wish we could have won my rookie year.
On if he has any fond memories of playing with freshman Michael Jordan that maybe people haven’t heard
I remember Michael’s recruiting weekend, he came in on a Friday in the dorm and I heard him before I saw him. He was like, ‘Where’s James Worthy at?’ He always sought out the best, and he kind of bullied me a little bit because he always wanted to play one-on-one. Whoever the best was at anything – backgammon, cards, it didn’t matter - he wanted them. I was probably better than Michael for about a month-and-a-half. But he was just an amazing, confident guy.
On the lasting impact Dean Smith had on him
Dean showed me how to be a humanitarian. For the most part, I found out he was a civil rights activist more than he was a basketball coach. O, I was a very young kid, 8 years old, when I heard all this commotion in my house about Charlie Scott being the first to come, so I knew Coach Smith for more than just basketball… He just enhanced what your parents started for you, and he made just three promises: ‘Come to Carolina and you’re going to go to class, you stay four years you will graduate, and if you stay four years I’ll take you on a trip somewhere.’
On what his impressions were of Roy when he played from 1979-82
Roy was the JV coach when I played there. He and Wanda lived in a little one-bedroom apartment off campus somewhere and had this old, beat up, ’73 Ford Mustang that he had since college. I actually thought Eddie Fogler would be the next in line, and after Roy came back from Kansas, he’s kind of like a clone of Coach Smith, that’s why he’s been able to succeed.
On if he watches the current team and what his impressions are
Yes. I like this team. I think they were ranked No. 1 at the beginning of the season. They’ve had some ups and downs … I still don’t think they are individually as good as they can be individually. As a team, they look pretty good. Joel Berry has moved Marcus Paige over to the 2 guard, good move. Brice Johnson. I think we play big. Hicks. I like our chances.
Worthy was a two-time All-America, National Player of the Year in some services in 1982, and was the No. 1 pick in the 1982 NBA draft. He was named several years ago as one of the NBA’s 50 best players of all time. He won 5 NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here are some excerpts of what Worthy had to say Friday:
On if the sense of accomplishment of winning championships grows over time
I think it does. When you win it, obviously if it’s your first one or your second one, but over time it’s like a fine wine. Over time they get more important, and it means a lot more. Winning a championship, you never want to settle for anything less after that.
On how the ACC Tournament has changed since when he played in it
I feel like I’m in the Big East conference all of a sudden (Laughter), in a lot of ways. To me, it’s always the same – ACC Tournament, March Madness. I don’t really know what the rules are, if they changed or anything like that, it’s always the same. Ever since I was watching back in ’73, ’72, when I was a kid, it’s always been memorable and intense.
On what UNC memory he holds dearest after all of these years
Meeting Coach Smith for the first time in 8th grade and then getting a scholarship there and then winning his firsts, they all kind of go together.
On winning two ACC Tournaments and if the one in 1982 stands out more than the one in 1981 because they won the national title a few weeks later
I think it does. The fact that we had lost to Indiana the year before and we were on a mission to get Coach Smith’s first one. So, I think winning that one in Greensboro kind of guaranteed we were going to be playing in Charlotte and then Raleigh (in the NCAAs), so that was a good start.
On what it was like winning the national title and then going first overall to the reigning NBA champion Lakers
It was great. Usually the number one pick goes to the worst team, I got a chance to go to the Lakers, because I think in ’77 or ’78 they made a trade to Cleveland for Cleveland’s number one draft pick, and Cleveland fell straight to the bottom and we were able to get that pick, so I went to a team that didn’t really need me. I didn’t have to star, I didn’t have to go through all the things that a number one pick usually goes through. But it was a blessing in disguise, I was there with (former Tar Hell All-American) Mitch Kupchak, a Carolina guy, it was great, I just wish we could have won my rookie year.
On if he has any fond memories of playing with freshman Michael Jordan that maybe people haven’t heard
I remember Michael’s recruiting weekend, he came in on a Friday in the dorm and I heard him before I saw him. He was like, ‘Where’s James Worthy at?’ He always sought out the best, and he kind of bullied me a little bit because he always wanted to play one-on-one. Whoever the best was at anything – backgammon, cards, it didn’t matter - he wanted them. I was probably better than Michael for about a month-and-a-half. But he was just an amazing, confident guy.
On the lasting impact Dean Smith had on him
Dean showed me how to be a humanitarian. For the most part, I found out he was a civil rights activist more than he was a basketball coach. O, I was a very young kid, 8 years old, when I heard all this commotion in my house about Charlie Scott being the first to come, so I knew Coach Smith for more than just basketball… He just enhanced what your parents started for you, and he made just three promises: ‘Come to Carolina and you’re going to go to class, you stay four years you will graduate, and if you stay four years I’ll take you on a trip somewhere.’
On what his impressions were of Roy when he played from 1979-82
Roy was the JV coach when I played there. He and Wanda lived in a little one-bedroom apartment off campus somewhere and had this old, beat up, ’73 Ford Mustang that he had since college. I actually thought Eddie Fogler would be the next in line, and after Roy came back from Kansas, he’s kind of like a clone of Coach Smith, that’s why he’s been able to succeed.
On if he watches the current team and what his impressions are
Yes. I like this team. I think they were ranked No. 1 at the beginning of the season. They’ve had some ups and downs … I still don’t think they are individually as good as they can be individually. As a team, they look pretty good. Joel Berry has moved Marcus Paige over to the 2 guard, good move. Brice Johnson. I think we play big. Hicks. I like our chances.
