HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty surprisingly starts in 1991 with Magic Johnson visiting the doctor, and here’s why it is important for his life. The 2022 HBO Max series depicts the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s after Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) buys the team. While he helped transform the look and style of the organization, the decision to draft Magic Johnson also reshaped the franchise’s future. Unsurprisingly, Winning Time is meant to primarily focus on the career of Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson as he ascends to become one of the NBA’s greatest players of all time.
The focus on Magic Johnson is clear from the very beginning of the series, as Winning Time episode 1 begins with a piece of the NBA star’s life. Despite the show focusing on the 1980s era of the Lakers, though, the series kicks off in 1991. Viewers are immediately transported to November 5, 1991, as Magic Johnson is at a doctor’s office. The opening scene is quiet and doesn’t include any details about why he is visiting the doctor. However, Winning Time episode 1 does indicate that the results of the appointment are not good, as the man who accompanied Magic to the doctor’s starts crying after they get back in the car.
The reason why Magic Johnson is at the doctor’s office in 1991 appears to Winning Time‘s depiction of a life-changing moment for the NBA star. Magic took part in a routine physical ahead of the 1991-1992 season so that he could be cleared to play another season with the Los Angeles Lakers after losing to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls the year before. However, this is where the Lakers star point guard first learned that he was HIV positive. The shocking news led to Magic Johnson retiring two days later at a press conference where he confirmed to the world that he tested positive for HIV. Although he did attempt a few comebacks, this doctor’s appointment effectively ended Magic Johnson’s NBA career while he was still in his prime.
When Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV in 1991, there was still a massive stigma about the AIDS virus and misconceptions about how it could be transmitted. Rumors originally circulated that Magic Johnson was gay or bisexual due to these stereotypes, but he instead got the virus as a result of having multiple female sexual partners over the years. This proved to be a turning point in the HIV discourse, as Magic’s case helped many realize that heterosexuals could still get HIV. However, there were also many in the NBA who were reluctant to let Magic come back later on due to the belief that they could get the virus if his blood, sweat, or spit got on them during a game.
As one of the biggest moments in Magic Johnson’s life and the end of his basketball career, it is intriguing that Winning Time episode 1 begins with his moment. However, since the show is all about the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty during Magic’s tenure with the team, it also makes sense to foreshadow the unexpected and abrupt ending to it in 1991. Winning Time should continue building to this moment and the fallout as season 1 continues now after starting the show in this fashion.
New episodes of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty release on HBO/HBO Max at 9 pm EST every Sunday.
