Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty co-creator Jim Hecht hopes Magic Johnson gives their new HBO series a chance after its official debut. The show follows the sensational tale of the Los Angeles Lakers and how the franchise built their renowned dynasty in the 1980s. John C. Reilly stars as legendary team owner Dr. Jerry Buss alongside Quincy Isaiah in the role of Magic Johnson. Fresh off his polarizing success with Netflix’s Don’t Look Up, Adam McKay directs and executive produces the new HBO project.
Filling out the cast of the new series is Solomon Hughes stepping into the shoes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jason Clarke as general manager Jerry West, and Adrien Brody depicting coach Pat Riley. Johnson previously said he’s not excited for Winning Time, explaining he was far more interested in his own show that is in the works in addition to a show in which Laker’s controlling owner Jeanie Buss is involved. In line with Johnson’s inaugural take, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar has also voiced criticisms of the HBO series.
Speaking with THR, Hecht shares that he hopes Johnson gives the new HBO series a chance. Hecht, who co-created the new series with Max Borenstein, is a massive advocate for the project, finding it hard to believe that anyone could be more attached to the team than he is. See his exact comments on the topic below:
I was like Magic Johnson is talking about me, that’s so cool! I think he’s going to like it. I can’t pin my hopes on that, but there could not be bigger Laker fans than Max and I, and so I hope he gives it a chance; I hope Jeanie does too, but I can’t count on that.
Johnson is one of the most accomplished players in Lakers and NBA history, so it’s easy to see why Hecht and Borenstein want him to like their show. The two are clearly massive fans of Johnson, crafting Winning Time as a love letter to that era. Still, it remains to be seen if Johnson will even take the time to watch the show. Understandably, some people are leery of watching dramatized retellings of their personal stories, as they can take artistic liberties for the sake of the narrative. Recently, Pamela Anderson stated she won’t watch the Pam & Tommy trailer. It’s possible Johnson takes a similar approach. If he’s not excited about it, Winning Time likely isn’t on his watchlist.
Whether or not Johnson gives his blessing or approval for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, it is distinctly apparent that creators Hecht and Borenstein have put their heart and soul into the project. At the very least, some LA Laker fans have the opportunity to relive the 1980s Laker experience, while others will get the chance to see it depicted for the first time through a theatrical medium. Either way, with Hecht and Borenstein’s deep-rooted investment into the Lakers, the series should muster up its own unique impact and make Laker fans everywhere proud of the team’s outstanding accomplishments through the years.
