The Untold Legends of Red Auerbach & Larry Bird: Unveiling Winning Time Season 2 with Michael Chiklis & Sean Patrick Small

Following their triumphant victory in the first season of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, the Lakers now face fresh obstacles in season 2. As they strive to maintain their winning streak, their ultimate goal is to conquer their long-standing rivals, the Boston Celtics, amidst the intensifying rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Both on and off the court, the team and staff will encounter significant challenges, including injuries and the players' personal journeys.

While the series faced criticism for its portrayal of events, it has garnered a steadfast and devoted fanbase. Embodying the spirit of Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, penned by Jeff Pearlman, Winning Time was brought to life by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht. This exciting production boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, Adrien Brody, Gaby Hoffmann, Tracy Letts, Jason Segel, Solomon Hughes, and Tamera Tomakili.

Michael Chiklis & Sean Patrick Small on Winning Time Season 2

Screen Rant: Winning Time is absolutely captivating. It surpassed all my expectations as the show I was eagerly waiting for. Michael, in the first season, we catch a glimpse of your characters, but they don't have the same depth and development as they do in this season. Following the loss of the championship, where can we find Red when he makes his appearance in season 2?

Michael Chiklis believes that the other team should be crushed and put in their place as losers. He sees them as a short-lived phenomenon. Initially, Red Auerbach, a traditional and hardworking East Coast guy, looked down on the flashy and polished guy from LA with contempt. He didn't even consider him a competitor.

But then, when the other team started winning, Auerbach had to reevaluate. He realized that they were a real threat and had the potential to become legends. I personally experienced this intense period while I was living in Boston, attending Boston University from 1981-85. It was a crazy and unforgettable time. We were all lucky to witness it. That's essentially a better answer to your question. [Laughs]

Sean, your portrayal of Larry Legend is truly exceptional, and the incredible transformation you undergo to bring that character to life is truly remarkable. Let's discuss your preparation for this role, as we are fortunate to see a lot more of Larry this season, and witness his intense killer instinct.

Sean Patrick Small: Definitely, this season delves into the depths of Larry's identity as a Celtics player, allowing us to truly understand how he developed into the incredible individual he is today. The ruthless, icy demeanor, the piercing stare, the relentless trash talking - we witness these traits in him from his days in '74 Indiana onward. It's fascinating, because I embarked on extensive research back in 2014 when I was working on my own mini series about Bird, covering his high school years up until the '79 championship game. So, when it came to embodying that specific time period now for the season, I felt prepared for the challenge from the start, and then proceeded to delve even deeper into the character.

Throughout Winning Time season 2, there is a recurring theme of fatherhood that greatly influences Larry. Can you discuss how Larry's father served as an inspiration for him, particularly during times of tragedy, shaping him into the player he aspires to be?

Sean Patrick Small: Losing his father truly served as a driving force for Larry to become the player he ultimately became. He carried a sense of disappointment, feeling that he had let his father down. His father was a devoted fan of the Indiana Hoosiers, and when Larry informed him that he had dropped out of college and had no plans of returning, it always weighed on his conscience. The tragic incident of his father's suicide further pushed him away from the game of basketball. However, thanks to Bill Hodges, Larry was able to rediscover his competitive spirit and re-engage with the sport.

He participated in AAU, and other similar activities. Consequently, he found father figures during his journey, such as Bill Hodges at Indiana State and ultimately Red Auerbach with the Celtics, as they shared the same intense competitive spirit. Red, who portrayed a certain persona to the public, possessed a remarkable ability to connect with Bird on a deep level, and thus became a paternal figure for him during his time on the Celtics.

I absolutely adore that scene where you all gather in Larry's living room to discuss the draft. Red was undeniably a draft genius to acquire Parrish and McHale for practically nothing.

Michael Chiklis: It truly showcases the brilliance of this individual, both in terms of his understanding of human nature and his approach to working with players. There is no doubt that he possessed an understanding of Larry's personality and how to foster and develop his talent. Earlier, we were discussing how Bill Russell has spoken about Red's brilliance in recognizing potential in players like him. Instead of trying to mold them into something they were not, Red adjusted his system to highlight and capitalize on the strengths of every player who joined his team.

He was fully dedicated to improving the team, always striving for the ultimate goal of winning championships. And I absolutely loved it. Now, we're delving into the intricate details of the character and the personal lives of these men behind the scenes. That conversation Sean and I had, as you mentioned, it was truly transformative.

When I first stepped onto the set during the first season and saw Sean in his costume, I was completely taken aback. It was like a moment of sheer astonishment. As I mentioned before, I grew up watching him play, and seeing him nail those three-pointers with the same flawless technique was mind-blowing. I was genuinely freaking out. I mean, it was like, "Wow, he's a total all-star!"

I had the exact same feeling. I genuinely believed it was a Larry Bird deep fake. Seriously.

Michael Chiklis: [Laughs] Me too, I was like, "No way! You really know your stuff. You must have studied his mannerisms closely." That moment right there, you nailed it.

Sean Patrick Small was deeply influenced by Idan Ravin, a basketball trainer, who focused on molding him into a replica of Bird. This involved mastering the art of dribbling, running, and shooting techniques, all in an effort to emulate Bird's prowess. Michael Chiklis vividly recalls his initial encounter with Sean, where he observed him effortlessly sinking a three-pointer. The moment left Chiklis awestruck, as it evoked memories of over two decades of watching Bird's impressive skills, resulting in a mind-boggling experience.

About Winning Time Season 2

Picking up from their impressive season under Jerry Buss' new management, the Lakers aim to continue their winning form by outplaying their longstanding rivals, the iconic Boston Celtics. While team members face challenges both on and off the court, the historic rivalries between Jerry Buss and Red Auerbach, and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird intensify.

Explore our additional interviews from season 2 of Winning Time below:

Quincy Isaiah & Adrien Brody

Jason Segel & Solomon Hughes

John C. Reilly & Hadley Robinson

Max Borenstein & Rodney Barnes

Kevin Messick & Salli Richardson-Whitfield

Winning Time debuts on HBO on August 6.

Source: Screen Rant Plus