The L.A. Lakers and their North Carolina connections Posted Oct 25, 2018 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has ties to North Carolina besides his recent speaking engagement in Greensboro. His mother was born in Anson County, and he said the toughest player he ever faced was UNC great Bob McAdoo. Other Lakers had N.C. ties. James Worthy is a Gastonia native. Mitch Kupchak also played for the Tar Heels, and Magic Johnson's mom is from Tarboro. (Greensboro News & Record)