Unveiling the Untold Saga: Discover the Real Story Behind Winning Time Season 2 Episode 2

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Winning Time season 2.

Summary

Season 2 of HBO's Winning Time delves into the behind-the-scenes turmoil that unfolded during the 1980-81 season of the Los Angeles Lakers. This captivating show explores the strained relationships among players and coaching staff, shedding light on the off-the-court drama.

However, it is important to note that the series takes artistic liberties, embellishing certain events and portraying speculative information as reality. This approach has the potential to distort significant moments and the portrayal of key characters.

The conflicts between Coach Paul Westhead and Magic Johnson arise from their divergent styles and approaches to the Lakers' offense. Magic's flamboyant fame and style of play breed resentment among certain teammates, contributing to the team's premature elimination from the 1981 NBA Playoffs. In HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty season 2, the focus shifts to the off-court drama surrounding the 1980-81 Los Angeles Lakers. Episode 2, "The Magic Is Back," delves into the tensions that emerge in the locker room between players and coaching staff, even after Magic's triumphant return from a knee injury that kept him out for 45 regular season games. This season explores how Magic's reintroduction to the Lakers' lineup sparks a series of structural and personal conflicts, ultimately leading to their unexpectedly early exit from the 1981 NBA Playoffs.

The Lakers’ Norm Nixon For David Thompson Trade Was Actually On The Table

Winning Time season 1 took certain artistic liberties to add drama to the events depicted on the show, including exaggerating the extent of the real-life feud between Magic and Lakers point guard Norm Nixon. Similarly, in Winning Time season 2, episode 2, the series continues to present speculative information as if it were factual. While this approach may be entertaining, it tends to obscure some of the most significant moments and plot developments in the HBO series by introducing minor inaccuracies and misleading portrayals of its characters. The second episode of the seven-part Winning Time season 2 concludes the entire 1981 Lakers season and foreshadows the inevitable downfall of Coach Paul Westhead.

The truth behind the rumors of the Lakers' interest in acquiring David Thompson from the Denver Nuggets during the 1980-81 season is revealed. It is confirmed that the team did consider trading Nixon, although there were no official requests, meetings, or negotiations between the Lakers' and Nuggets' front offices. Jerry West and other members of the Lakers staff were intrigued by the idea of injecting new energy into the team to compensate for Magic's absence due to injury. Winning Time provides insight into Coach Westhead's potential resistance to the trade, driven by his deep respect for Nixon and his determination to safeguard the team's established offensive system, which both Magic and Thompson's strong personalities could potentially disrupt.

Magic’s Fame Started To Effect The Lakers’ Locker Room In 1980-81 Season

There’s No Record Of Norm Nixon Bad-Mouthing Magic Johnson To The Press

: Magic's teammates increasingly saw his attraction to the spotlight as a distraction to their overall teamwork and chemistry. His phenomenal rookie season, which culminated in an All-Star selection and an NBA championship, propelled him to the center of the basketball world. This sudden ascent to fame caused tension among his teammates, leading some to feel envious and resentful. Moreover, Magic's substantial salary at the young age of 21 further irritated his older teammates, who found his flamboyant and disruptive style bothersome. Ultimately, this friction within the locker room contributed to the team's disintegration following their defeat in the 1981 round-one playoffs against the Houston Rockets.

Episode 2 of Winning Time's second season sheds light on how the cunning Los Angeles sports reporters in the early 80s spread rumors of frustration and jealousy within the unstable Lakers locker room. The press had a strong presence in the Lakers locker room during the 1980-81 season, which likely contributed to the team's eventual discord. However, there is no documented instance of real-life Norm Nixon going on record with the Los Angeles Times and saying, "Nobody will remember Magic Johnson in fifteen years."

The depiction of journalist Fred Fletcher in Winning Time season 2 is a fictional character that represents the determined nature of many sports reporters in Los Angeles during that time. Fletcher persistently pursues insider information about the dynamics within the former NBA Champions' locker room. However, the LA Times article "Norm Nixon: Life At No. 2," which supposedly appeared on March 3, 1981 in Winning Time, is purely a fictional plot device used in the HBO series. This fabricated article highlights the actual off-court tensions faced by the team but erroneously portrays Norm's character as the main catalyst for the Lakers' internal conflicts.

Jack McKinney Actually Won Coach Of The Year With His New Team In 1981

Coincidentally, the accurate proclamation of former Lakers' coach Jack McKinney winning NBA Coach of the Year is depicted in yet another newspaper headline in Winning Time season 2, episode 2. Upon his departure from the Lakers, McKinney assumed the role of head coach for the Indiana Pacers and triumphantly secured the esteemed accolade for the 1980-81 NBA season. Within that span, McKinney guided the Pacers to their inaugural winning campaign in franchise history, thereby solidifying his status as the frontrunner for this prestigious recognition.

Magic Johnson Really Shot An Air Ball To End The 1981 Lakers’ Playoff Run

: The inclusion of this fact in Winning Time highlights Paul Westhead's strong attachment to the past and his determination to honor and replicate the coaching style he had learned from McKinney. Furthermore, it provides a rationale for Westhead's insistence on implementing his systematic offense, considering that his mentor had recently been recognized as Coach of the Year for adhering to his own methods. This observation in Winning Time suggests that a different coaching opportunity may suit Westhead better.

The final game of the Lakers' 1980-81 season is depicted with accuracy in Winning Time season 2. It vividly presents the moment when Magic, despite his skill, airballed with the game in his hands. The HBO show expertly intertwines this scene with the growing power struggle between Magic and Westhead, highlighted by the conflicting encouragement from assistant coach Pat Riley for Magic to take charge. Through this episode, the series delves into the flaws and disagreements that led to the real-life airball, emphasizing the necessity for organizational change within the Lakers before the start of the 1981-82 season.

Paul Westhead & Magic Johnson Conflict Began During The 1980-81 Season

The conflict between Westhead and Magic in Winning Time season 2 originates from their differing styles, techniques, and approaches to the Lakers' offense. Magic's flashy moves and desire to dominate the game during critical moments contrast with Westhead's systematic and meticulously planned offense. In Winning Time season 2, Westhead stubbornly relies on his playbook, despite Pat Riley warning him that this approach won't work with an exceptional talent like Magic. These fundamental differences become apparent in episode 2 of Winning Time season 2 and ultimately shape the eventual breakdown of the relationship between the NBA coach and his young superstar.