The first trailer for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty has arrived. The series takes a look at the L.A. Lakers in their “Showtime” era. The new series will be featured on HBO Max and is based on Jeff Pearlman’s Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. You can view the hot new trailer below.
This 10-episode limited series is directed and executive produced by Adam McKay, with Max Borenstein and Rodney Barnes as the co-scribes. It was previously titled Showtime, in honor of former owner Jerry Buss’ transformation of the basketball franchise with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at its center, the cast is led by John C. Reilly as Buss and newcomers Quincy Isaiah as Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Solomon Hughes as Jabbar. The show will also star Gaby Hoffmann, Jason Segel, Adrien Brody, Tamera Tomakili, Julianne Nicholson, Tracy Letts, Rob Morgan and Hadley Robinson.
What Will the Winning Time Series Be Focusing On?
The Lakers of that period earned the name “Showtime” for their fast-paced style of play, their associations with Hollywood, and their off-court exploits. The Showtime era lasted from 1979, Magic Johnson’s rookie year to 1991, when he retired after testing positive for HIV. You can read the official synopsis below.
"Welcome to the hottest show in town. It’s gonna be exciting. From Adam McKay, director of The Big Short and Vice comes a story about the rise of basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) and the lengths one man (John C. Reilly) will go in pursuit of securing a basketball dynasty."
The trailer gives us a first look and a rundown of how Buss acquired the team and made his game-changing decisions. It also does a great job teasing Johnson’s familial origins, as well as his addition to a team of already big names amid a very slow rise in the press. In the newly 3 minute long trailer we hear Reilly's character saying, "If you’re a human being with two eyes and a heart, this game — this industry — makes you feel good, What industry? Sweat socks?” Sally Field’s gravely ill Jessie Buss, who is not only the mother but advisor to Jerry, yells back, “No. Showbiz!”
Magic Johnson was asked what he thought about McKay’s take on his time with the Lakers, and the real life Johnson had this to say: “I’m not looking forward to it. I’m going to leave it at that.” Johnson did not go into detail after that, but clearly he will not be watching. In addition to Reilly, Isaiah, and Hughes, Sean Patrick Small stars as Celtics legend Larry Bird, Jason Clarke as Jerry West, Michael Chiklis as executive Red Auerbach, and Spencer Garrett as Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn. Delante Desouza also plays Michael Cooper, while Olli Haaskivi stars as Nike co-founder Phil Knightand and Kirk Bovill is former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty will premiere Sunday, March 6th at 9 p.m. on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.