The Uncharted Journey of Jerry & Jeanie Buss in Winning Time Season 2

After their historic victory in the inaugural season of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, the Lakers are focused on building on their success and establishing themselves as a basketball dynasty. The intense rivalries between Jerry Buss and Red Auerbach, as well as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, reach new heights as the Lakers aim to secure another championship by defeating the Boston Celtics. However, the team will face a myriad of challenges both on and off the court, including injuries, personal struggles, and the pains of growth.

Headlined by a stellar ensemble cast including John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, Adrien Brody, Gaby Hoffmann, Tracy Letts, Jason Segel, Solomon Hughes, Hadley Robinson, and Tamera Tomakili, Winning Time is a series created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht. It is inspired by Jeff Pearlman's book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. Although the show has garnered a strong fan following, there have been doubts raised about the accuracy of its portrayal of events.

John C. Reilly & Hadley Robinson Talk Winning Time Season 2

- Screen Rant spoke with John C. Reilly and Hadley Robinson, who portray Jerry and Jeanie Buss in season 2 of Winning Time. During the interview, Reilly delved into the themes of fatherhood and explored the intense rivalry between Jerry Buss and Red Auerbach this season. Robinson, on the other hand, teased a more self-assured and cutthroat Jeanie, while also reflecting on her close relationship with Magic Johnson. Please note that this interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Additionally, it is important to recognize that the creation of the show would not have been possible without the hard work and talent of the writers and actors in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA unions.

Screen Rant: I'm a huge fan of this show. John, it appears that Dr. Jerry Buss and Magic Johnson have been consistently uneasy throughout this season. They seem to be consistently on edge, particularly following their triumph in the previous championship. Could you shed some light on this topic?

John C. Reilly expressed that despite going through a lot, the characters managed to maintain their relationship. However, with great success, there also came great pressure. This pressure was strongly felt by the cast as they entered the second season of the show. The characters themselves were grappling with the question of how to replicate their previous success. Personally, John really appreciated the scenes where his character, Magic, and he had difficult conversations. He also found enjoyment in a scene with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in this season, where there was a confrontation and harsh truth-telling. While it was challenging for his character to hear these things, John found value in depicting the real difficulties that exist in relationships. This included instances where Magic, who was not always the perfect boss, made decisions based on his own interests that did not benefit the players. These scenes provided John with a sense of satisfaction in his portrayal.

Hadley, your portrayal of Jeanie Buss is truly remarkable. I have a deep admiration for the character and it's fascinating to witness her killer instinct evolve throughout the season. Specifically, the decision to trade her brother's girlfriend to another team showcases just how ruthless she can be. While she claims it's a professional move, it certainly feels personal considering she is essentially breaking them up. This unexpected development in Jeanie's character caught me by surprise, but it solidified her identity in that moment when I read the scene.

It is enjoyable because it is unexpected, but there has been significant development and progress. Although she is still finding her way, she has gained confidence and now knows how to handle things. She has truly embraced a leadership position with the LA Strings, taking on more responsibilities. This has brought about a newfound confidence that she lacked in season 1. It is exciting to witness this transformation, especially knowing who she has become today and how she reached this point.

John C. Reilly: To defend Jeanie, she merely traded her to San Diego.

That's true!

John C. Reilly: I mean, come on, long distance relationships can be a lot longer than that.

Hadley Robinson: Fair point, dad. [Chuckles]

In this season, fatherhood is a recurring theme among the characters and their relationships with their fathers or father-like figures. It is evident through Magic's experience of having a child outside of marriage and his own relationship with his father. Additionally, the father figure of Dr. Jerry Buss plays a role in your characters' stories, as well as Larry Bird and his father. Can you discuss how this theme is explored throughout the season? Reilly: It's interesting how my character's focus in the first season was on his relationship with his mother. So, naturally, the shift towards exploring fatherhood and what it means to be a good father was a logical progression. It raises questions about one's masculinity and the type of man one strives to be.

I had a strong bond with my mom, so it was exciting to delve into that relationship in the first season. When we shifted focus to the father dynamics in the second season, I was thrilled. Playing this character made me reflect on my own father, who shared many qualities with Jerry Buss, such as an indomitable spirit, optimism, ambition, and taking ownership of one's life. It was a thought-provoking experience, shedding light on the sacrifices that men from that era had to make for their careers and societal expectations. I feel fortunate to have a closer connection with my children than my father had with us.

Hadley Robinson: Yeah, I really appreciate that scene because it showcases their rare interactions throughout the series. Yet, whenever they do come together, it's evident how strong their bond is, almost like siblings. It's a significant moment because Jeanie truly admires Magic for taking a stand against her father, a struggle she can personally relate to.

I believe her witnessing Magic standing up to her dad is truly remarkable. It's like she didn't even realize that was possible. It brings about a fresh perspective, and she holds a great amount of admiration for this man. Likewise, he also holds respect for her. As the story progresses, they repeatedly meet at crucial moments, allowing us to witness their catch-ups and check-ins to see where each other is at.

Another rivalry that holds just as much significance as the Magic/Bird rivalry is the one between Dr. Jerry Buss and Red Auerbach. John, could you discuss this a bit and how we caught a glimpse of it last season, but this season it's intensifying right from the start?

John C. Reilly: Michael Chiklis is a talented actor and it was enjoyable working with him. When you play opposing characters, it can be challenging if the other actor isn't pleasant to work with. However, Michael was a true professional and approached the role with a sense of fun. He knew when to bring intensity on camera but off-camera, we didn't hold onto any negativity.

The dynamic between these two characters in the show was fascinating. Jerry found joy in everything he did, almost as if joy was his driving force. He enjoyed winning, entertaining people, making them happy, and spreading joy while also aiming to become wealthy. Red Auerbach, on the other hand, was portrayed as a miserable person regardless of the outcome - he was unhappy when he lost and unhappy when he won.

About Winning Time Season 2

He explains on the show that his unhappiness stems from an inner compulsion to pursue his endeavors, while others engage in them for the sake of enjoyment or a desire to succeed. This perspective offers an intriguing insight into finding happiness in life. Personally, I believe Jerry derived more satisfaction from his actions compared to Red.

Continuing their remarkable season under the fresh leadership of Jerry Buss, the Lakers are determined to prolong their impressive winning streak by triumphing over their archenemies, the iconic Boston Celtics. While the team members navigate challenges both on and off the court, the longstanding rivalries between Jerry Buss and Red Auerbach, as well as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, intensify.

Check out our other Winning Time season 2 interviews here:

Quincy Isaiah & Adrien Brody

Jason Segel & Solomon Hughes

Michael Chiklis & Sean Patrick Small

Max Borenstein & Rodney Barnes

Kevin Messick & Salli Richardson-Whitfield

Winning Time debuts on HBO on August 6.

Source: Screen Rant Plus