The Intense Journey of Season 2 in Winning Time Show: An Exclusive Insider Look

Summary

Uncover the untold stories of the Lakers, shedding light on the often overlooked figure of coach Paul Westhead and exploring the profound impact of fatherhood on key characters such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and the renowned Pat Riley.

The basketball scenes in the show are exceptionally authentic, thanks to the talented actors who not only memorize their lines but also undergo rigorous basketball training. Additionally, the director and her team have taken great effort to uniquely recreate the basketball style of the 1980s.

Picking up after the Lakers' monumental victory in the 1979-1980 season, season 2 of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty delves deeper into the intensified rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics as both teams vie for the championship once again. The Lakers must confront challenges both on and off the court, including the heated clashes between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, as well as Jerry Buss and Red Auerbach. Furthermore, injuries and personal growth among the players add further complexity to the narrative.

Winning Time, a show based on Jeff Pearlman's book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, was created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht. The cast of Winning Time is filled with talented actors, including John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, Adrien Brody, Gaby Hoffmann, Tracy Letts, Jason Segel, Solomon Hughes, and Tamera Tomakili. While the first season of Winning Time raised questions about its accuracy in portraying historical events and individuals, Season 2 aims to delve deeper into the Lakers' history.

In an interview with Screen Rant, showrunner Max Borenstein and writer Rodney Barnes discussed what viewers can expect in Winning Time season 2. Borenstein focused on Paul Westhead's journey, highlighting how he has been overshadowed by Pat Riely in history. Barnes emphasized the theme of fatherhood in this season, exploring the journeys of both Magic Johnson and Jerry Buss. It is important to note that this piece was written during the SAG-AFTRA strike, and the creation of the show would not have been possible without the contributions of WGA and SAG-AFTRA writers and actors.

Max Borenstein & Rodney Barnes on Winning Time Season 2

Screen Rant: Having eagerly awaited season 2 of Winning Time, I can confidently say that it exceeded all expectations. Today, I want to delve into the transformation of Paul Westhead's character, as it was truly remarkable between season 1 and season 2. Can you enlighten me on Paul Westhead's journey in this season and his involvement with The System?

Max Borenstein: Absolutely, this is one of our favorite aspects to explore as storytellers. Paul Westhead is a character who seems to have been overlooked by many. While Pat Riley is often remembered, few are aware that there were actually two coaches for the iconic Showtime Lakers before him. Paul Westhead played a vital role in that organization, despite facing considerable challenges along the way.

The transformation of going from a Shakespeare teacher and occasional basketball coach to becoming a successful NBA head coach is a truly remarkable and extraordinary story. This season, there is an intense clash between Magic and the protagonist, resulting in a collision of styles and egos. In addition, having the highly acclaimed coach Pat Riley by his side further adds to the intensity of the situation. Unfortunately, poor Paul Westhead finds himself at the center of this tumultuous storm.

Throughout the second season, the theme of fatherhood is explored, affecting various characters in diverse ways. Could you please elaborate on this theme and its impact on different individuals?

Rodney Barnes believes that Larry Bird's basketball skills were hindered by the weight of his father's unfortunate ending. However, as Bird grows and achieves greatness, he is able to come to terms with his father's past and find peace. In contrast, Magic Johnson's father is a constant presence in his life, providing support and boosting his confidence. This dynamic plays a significant role in how Bird and Johnson perform on the court.

Bird exhibits a demanding nature, while Johnson excels at bringing out the best in his teammates. Johnson's joyful and passionate approach to the game can be attributed to the influence of his father. Similarly, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's relationship with his father instills in him a stoic demeanor, striving to avoid emotional pain and disappointment while maintaining respect for his father. Overall, the role of fathers is crucial in shaping the personalities of the characters in the show.

Max Borenstein: Definitely. The Buss family not only grew their business but also incorporated Jerry Buss' sons into it.

Even to this day, Pat Riley is somewhat influenced by his father's image and presence. This season particularly reminds me of a basketball version of The Empire Strikes Back.

Max Borenstein appreciates the metaphor that has been consistently observed. He expresses his delight in the statement and mentions that it aligns with their perspective.

The first season of the show provided a small preview of the rivalry, but its development truly begins here. Now, let's dive into Sean Patrick Small's portrayal of Larry Bird. He completely immerses himself in the role to the extent that I almost believed his face had been digitally replaced with Larry Bird's. He effortlessly brings something to the character that wasn't explicitly written on the page.

Max Borenstein was amazed during the audition process when Sean impressed them with his portrayal of Larry Bird. It was a challenging task to find someone who could capture the essence of the character, but Sean exceeded their expectations. Interestingly, Sean shared that when he first came to LA to pursue acting, he wrote a script about Larry Bird, showing his deep connection to the character. Despite this, Sean doesn't display any of the brooding qualities in his personal life. He is an exceptional actor, and his seamless performance is a testament to his skills.

Moving on, I observed that throughout the season, Magic and Dr. Jerry Buss never appeared comfortable. It seemed like things just didn't go their way. Rodney, could you elaborate on this aspect?

Rodney Barnes: The relationship between Magic and Dr. Buss has evolved over time, similar to how Pat Riley has transformed into who he is today. From a business standpoint, their connection has undergone changes and has grown towards building trust and confidence, akin to the development of a great friendship. This season serves as a prime example of that evolution.

I'd like to focus on the shooting of the basketball scenes. It almost feels like we've taken real documentary footage and seamlessly integrated it into the show, when in reality, these are actors embodying these roles. Could you discuss the difficulties you faced while filming these basketball scenes?

Max Borenstein expresses admiration for the exceptional work of the performers at every level. The basketball unit and actors not only learn their lines, but also engage in intense practice and training. Even after a day of shooting, they continue to practice like basketball players, displaying their dedication. Borenstein highlights the remarkable achievements of director Salli, along with her team and various departments, in recreating the essence of Showtime and Celtics basketball from the 80s. The goal was to present these scenes in an unprecedented manner, showcasing the emotional aspect of the game in a unique way. By pushing boundaries and delivering shots never seen before, they have surpassed expectations this year.

About Winning Time Season 2

Don't miss out on our other interviews from season 2 of Winning Time.

Quincy Isaiah & Adrien Brody

Jason Segel & Solomon Hughes

Michael Chiklis & Sean Patrick Small

John C. Reilly & Hadley Robinson

Kevin Messick & Salli Richardson-Whitfield

Winning Time debuts on HBO on August 6.

Source: Screen Rant Plus