Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty

LOVE IT OR HATE IT, THE SHOW SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON LEGENDS

BY JULIO MANTEIGA
The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty
The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty

While the HBO drama series, Winning Time, has had its share of critical acclaim and criticism, the fact that NBA Legends continue to generate immense interest cannot be understated. The series, which dramatizes the rise of the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers, spotlights one of the most exciting eras of professional basketball. For many, this period defined the genesis of what the NBA has now become – a razzle-dazzle showcase of athleticism and entertainment. The modern NBA, and worldwide fervor for hoops, was built on these Legends’ achievements and Winning Time tells the story of some of the biggest names to grace the hardwood. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast including John C. Reilly, Jason Clarke, Adrien Brody, Quincy Isaiah, Sally Field and Jason Segel, the series takes dramatic liberties chronicling the beginning of the Showtime Lakers. This has caused quite a bit of conversation among the Legends portrayed in the show.

“NUMBER ONE, I’M FROM MACON, GEORGIA, MAN. I’M FROM THE COUNTRY. AND I WORE MY COUNTRY-NESS WITH PRIDE … SO NUMBER ONE, THAT KIND OF STUFF WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.”

NORM NIXON

Hall of Famers such as Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson have taken issue with the over-the-top portrayals. Jerry West feels that the show’s representation of him was a “baseless and malicious assault.” Not to be outdone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote on his blog that Winning Time is “deliberately dishonest.”

Additionally, Norm Nixon shed light on one of the prevalent storylines, his friction with rookie Magic Johnson. On fellow Legend Cedric Maxwell’s podcast, he noted that the show overstated his competition with Johnson over playing time at the point guard slot. Winning Time consistently showed Nixon hazing Johnson about his “country” upbringing, although according to Nixon himself, that’s not how events unfolded.

“Number one, I’m from Macon, Georgia, man. I’m from the country. And I wore my country-ness with pride … So number one, that kind of stuff would never happen,” Nixon declared.

However, not every Legend is upset. Spencer Haywood stated he felt the show was “very accurate” and has spurred fans and media to reach out and discuss his personal story.

“I was sick. I was crying. I couldn’t control my emotions watching the show,” Haywood noted in a recent interview.

He even joined the NBRPA’s “Legends Lounge w/ Trill Withers” podcast and mentioned his approval of the interpretation of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the impact their friendship has had on his life.

During the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in February, NBA Legend and NBRPA Cleveland Chapter President Jim Chones told us that he very much enjoyed working on the production of Winning Time while praising actor Newton Mayenge’s portrayal of him.

In the spring, HBO announced that the second season of Winning Time would be coming soon. The show's sophomore season could potentially lead viewers into the 1980-81 NBA season, where an injured Magic was limited to 37 games and the Lakers were ousted from the playoffs in the first round by Moses Malone and the Houston Rockets.

What remains to be seen is if the series will eventually dive into the 1983-84 season, when the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles met in the NBA Finals and rekindled a rivalry that embodied the NBA and captured the world’s attention.

What we do know is that a follow-up season will continue to spark more conversation around one of the most magnificent times in basketball lore. More importantly, the series will continue to show the impact and power our Legends and their stories have on the collective imagination.

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