Setting up for another ‘Win’: Lakers series airs freshman finale, renewed for Season 2
The phrase “through the magic of television” is one that many would have heard throughout the course of their lives. First used as a comparison between budding TV technology and wizard-like acts of conjury, HBO has created yet another meaning for the phrase.
The network’s new series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” takes a more literal approach to magic as it follows one man’s worthwhile investment in a man nicknamed “Magic” and his then-uninspired basketball team: the Los Angeles Lakers. From their humble beginnings as a smalltime competitor, the Lakers soared to new heights in the NBA during the 1980s thanks to the guidance of businessman Jerry Buss (portrayed by John C. Reilly, “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” 2007) and the talent of the team’s biggest star, No. 32, Earvin “Magic” Johnson (played by rising star Quincy Isaiah, “Corporate Coffee,” 2018).
Tune in to catch the end of the saga’s first season when “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” airs its final episode Sunday, May 8, on HBO and its streamer, HBO Max.
Officially renewed for a second season as of HBO’S announcement following the show’s April 3 episode (the highest episode for viewership so far with 1.2 million viewers registered across all platforms on premiere night, a 37% increase from the pilot’s premiere), “Winning Time” has seen success on all audience fronts — not just from those interested in sports. This can no doubt be attributed to the series’ engaging content, as well as the astounding talent behind the scenes and, of course, the amount of star power driving the action.
In addition to comedy star Reilly in his leading (largely dramatic) role, other major names attached to the series include Jason Clarke (“Zero Dark Thirty,” 2012) as Lakers guard Jerry West (No. 44), Adrien Brody (“The Pianist,” 2002) as NBA announcer-turned-lakers-coach Pat Riley, Sally Field (“Forrest Gump,” 1994) in the role of Jerry Buss’s mother, Jessie, Tracy Letts (“The Post,” 2017) as thenhead coach Jack Mckinney, and Devaughn Nixon (“Snowfall”) playing his own father, Lakers point guard Norm Nixon (No. 10).
The Nixon family connection is particularly interesting as it adds a bit of realism and personal attachment to the series. That said, the similarities appear to end there for some of the real-life NBA players portrayed in the series.
“You can’t duplicate Showtime,” Magic Johnson told Entertainment Tonight while attending the Apple TV+ premiere of another series, “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.” “I’m not gonna watch. Now, if the Lakers or myself ... have something to do with it, then I would, but ... you can’t copy that. It’s just too much.”
While Johnson appears steadfast in his doubts, many HBO viewers could not disagree more. Combined with a steady rise in views per episode, Deadline reported that as of the afternoon of March 15, “Winning Time’s” pilot has already garnered more than 3.3 million views on HBO platforms alone.
The televised story of the Lakers’ rise closely follows that of American sportswriter Jeff Pearlman’s account in his book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s,” and as such, puts Johnson, Riley and Kareem Abdul-jabbar (portrayed by new talent Solomon Hughes) front and center.
The series begins as Buss invests his time, energy and money into the then-mediocre Lakers in Episode 1, “The Swan,” and follows all the conflicts, successes, snafus, politics, power and fame that followed the team’s ascent to the top of the NBA. From big moves and high hopes to financial troubles, massive disappointments and more, Buss and the Lakers stop at nothing as they prepare for what is to be their best season yet; the one that would make them “great.”
As “Winning Time” heads into its final episode of the season, titled “Promised Land,” the Lakers prepare to make waves in the league and carve out a future for themselves in the annals of basketball history.
Looking ahead to Season 2, executive vice president and head of drama, HBO programming, Francesca Orsi had this to say: “It’s been a thrill to bring ‘Winning Time’ to life with Adam Mckay, Max Borenstein, our phenomenal producing team, and this incredible cast. This series not only tells the riveting story of the Lakers’ rise, but is also a look back at a transformative era in basketball, celebrity and the city of Los Angeles. We can’t wait to see how this team will tell the next chapter of this dynasty.”
Created by Max Borenstein (“Godzilla,” 2014) and Jim Hecht (“The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild,” 2022) and featuring direction from executive producer Adam Mckay (“The Big Short,” 2015), “Winning Time’s” cast is rounded out by Spencer Garrett (“Bombshell,” 2019), Tamera Tomakili (“Fruitvale Station,” 2013), Gaby Hoffmann (“Field of Dreams,” 1989), Hadley Robinson (“Little Women,” 2019), Brett Cullen (“Joker,” 2019) and Stephen Adly Guirgis (“Synecdoche, New York,” 2008).
Don’t miss the Magic (and the Kareem and the Riley...) when the L.A. Lakers reach the “Promised Land” in the finale of “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” airing Sunday, May 8, on HBO and HBO Max.