Untold Secrets: Magic Johnson & Teammates Reveal Why They Never Watched Lakers Series Winning Time

Summary

Magic Johnson says he never watched Winning Time because nobody can truly tell the story of the Lakers in the 1980s.

The show creatively manipulates timelines and changes personal details for dramatic impact, which may be unsettling for those who experienced the events. Consequently, Winning Time was ultimately cancelled after its second season, leaving viewers disappointed as they had expected a more thorough depiction of the Lakers' journey.

Magic Johnson reveals why he and his Lakers teammates refrained from watching Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. This HBO biographical drama, spanning two seasons, delves into the lives of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team during the 1980s, chronicling their remarkable ascent to become a dominant force in the sport. Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht created the show, which features an ensemble cast including John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, Gaby Hoffmann, Adrien Brody, Jason Segel, and Rob Morgan.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson clarifies his reasoning behind not viewing Winning Time. He believes that the Showtime narrative is impossible to adapt, to the extent that "no one can accurately portray that story." According to Johnson, he and his former teammates refrained from watching what they considered to be a "fictional" depiction. Johnson's full statement can be found below:

How Fictionalized Is Winning Time?

I never had the chance to witness it as no one in this world can truly recount the remarkable tale of the Lakers. The legendary Showtime era? No one! Dr. Buss, as the owner, was far ahead of his time. Our team? Astounding! The Laker girls, with Paula Abdul? Astounding! That story cannot be effectively told. Hence, none of us viewed it because it was a work of fiction. The ability to portray that narrative is simply unattainable. However, it is their responsibility, not ours.

Like any based-on-a-true story work, Winning Time draws inspiration from real events while taking creative liberties. The show stays relatively faithful to well-documented dates, such as the Lakers' championship victories. However, Winning Time takes some liberties with the timeline, like when it portrays Johnson and Cookie Kelly getting engaged before the 1983-84 NBA season, whereas their real-life marriage didn't happen until 1991.

Winning Time, although not entirely accurate in terms of historical facts, is understandable if Johnson chose not to watch it. Altering personal details for dramatic effect may not resonate well with the person who actually lived that life. However, it is worth noting that Winning Time made an effort to depict real-life timelines and did not carelessly manipulate details.

Johnson no longer needs to contemplate giving the show another chance, as Winning Time was ultimately canceled after its second season. This was a disappointment for many viewers, as the show had set up to return for the 1985 NBA finals. Perhaps, had Winning Time not been canceled by HBO, its third season could have redeemed some of the character arcs for Johnson and provided a more comprehensive portrayal of the Lakers.

Source: THR