There are few teams in the history of basketball that have influenced the game the way the 'Showtime' Lakers of the 1980s have. With their revolutionary fast-paced offense and the stardom that they had, the Showtime Lakers were truly a sight to see.
The time period of the first season of the show is from before the 1979 NBA Draft all the way to the 1980 NBA Finals. In the beginning, the series takes the viewer through the story of Magic Johnson from before he was drafted, up until his first NBA game. The show also details the personal and business life of Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss as he was inheriting one of the league's most profitable franchises in a then-struggling NBA. The series also covers the beginning of Magic Johnson's iconic rivalry with Boston Celtics basketball legend Larry Bird.Winning Time also gives a glimpse of what life as a whole was like in 1979-1980. The way people dressed, the aesthetics of buildings, and the celebrity life.
However, with the success that has come with this series, the controversy has come with it. Some Lakers stars and others portrayed in the series, such as Jerry West and Magic Johnson, have called the series an inaccurate depiction of the events that occurred with the Lakers back in the day. Both West and Johnson have voiced displeasure with how they have been portrayed in the series. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has also come out against the series. The former Lakers' displeasure with the series has even gone as far as Jerry West threatening to take his case to the United States Supreme Court.
Overall, the show is highly entertaining and gives a good historical perspective into the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s. The series has been renewed for a second season on HBO Max.
JP Sports Official Rating: 10/10
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