Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is a sports drama series. The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team. but they’re also a way of life for some. That is the essence of Winning Time, and it is through this lens that Dr. Jerry Buss will bring this franchise to life for the remainder of the season. It follows the Laker’s rise to dominance on and off the court in the 1980s. Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht designed it based on Jeff Pearlman’s novel “Showtime.” The first episode introduces viewers to Jeff Buss, the Lakers’ new owner, who has high hopes for the popular NBA team. As Buss assumes command of the team, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a fresh rookie, finds himself amidst the glitz and glam of Los Angeles. After watching the premiere episode fans must be looking forward to the next episode’s drama. Allow (tvacute.com) us to share what we know about ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’ episode 2 as you wait for the new episode!
Are you Ready for Winning Time Episode 10: Its Finale
Winning Time Episode 2 Spoilers
‘Is That All There Is?’ is the title of episode 2 of ‘Winning Time. It will focus on Jerry Buss’s attempt to establish a new philosophy at the Lakers. We will witness exactly what Buss is doing to transform this team and the NBA as a whole. He will usher in a slew of significant changes for the team, but not everyone will be pleased. Despite having a great point guard in Norm Nixon (played by Norm’s real-life son DeVaughn Nixon), coach Jerry West is displeased with Johnson’s signing. Buss may try to calm things down. We may get our first glimpse of the long-running rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics in the next episode. Claire played by Gaby Hoffmann and Jeanie will certainly rebrand the Lakers and extend their brand. They may disagree on the team’s direction. Thus, the two could clash
Huge shoutout to our casting god, Francine Maisler, who was instrumental in bringing #WinningTime to life. Francine led a global search to find the best cast to represent the Lakers dynasty and this unforgettable time in the NBA's history. pic.twitter.com/mQjTcdJEMv
— Max Borenstein (@MAXBORENSTEIN) March 7, 2022
Dr. Buss’ actions have sparked a lot of controversies, and you can see several of his personal issues in the premiere. We’re enthusiastic to see where Winning Time goes from here. Before and after the premiere, there were cautions that this is a dramatization of events. We don’t see the NBA marketing this on a frequent basis, which shows that not everyone in the league is completely satisfied with the final product.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Episode 2 Release Date
The first season consists of ten episodes. Winning Time Episode 2 will air on HBO on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at 9 p.m. ET. , each lasting 50 to 60 minutes. Cord cutters can watch the second episode on HBO Max if they don’t have cable. Alternatively, if you have an HBO add-on subscription, you can watch the new episode on platforms like Hulu, DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Xfinity Stream. One day after it airs on television, the upcoming episode will be available for purchase on VOD platforms.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Episode 1 Recap
The season opener on Sunday starts off on a gloomy note, with Lakers superstar Magic Johnson exiting a doctor’s appointment in 1991, escorted by a crying aide. Yes, Magic was diagnosed with HIV at that time, shocking the nation but we’ll get to that later. First, we go back to 1979, when Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) tells a naked lady at the Playboy Mansion that basketball “is like amazing sex.” He’s a real estate magnate who’s about to buy the Lakers, despite the NBA’s controversies and lack of fans. He strikes a handshake deal with the present owner, but he still needs to raise $15 million in a month to complete the transaction.
So, why does Buss believe the Lakers are a good investment? It certainly helps that they have a chance to draught Magic (Quincy Isaiah), a phenomenal basketball sensation who recently defeated Larry Bird in the NCAA championship game. Magic is introduced to us in his working-class Michigan household, where his father works as a garbage truck driver and his mother despises the attention lavished on her son. The Los Angeles Lakers win a coin toss with the Chicago Bulls, earning the first overall pick and a shot at Magic. Even though he has a girlfriend Cookie at home, his mother wants to know if there are any churches in Los Angeles. Magic, on the other hand, is more interested in the women there. She recognizes his wandering eye and ends their relationship before he even leaves town.
Jerry West (Jason Clarke), the Lakers’ grumpy coach, isn’t sold on the flashy point guard, believing he’s too big to handle the ball and we get a crash course in West’s own Lakers career as a superb player who always came up short against the hated Boston Celtics. Furthermore, the team has already a point guard in Norm Nixon, who is not ready to relinquish his starting place just yet. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes) is already a superstar, and he’s not exactly the warm and pleasant sort. Because Buss does not yet own the Lakers, he and the existing owner greet Magic and his father at the Forum, where the team plays. Buss bonds with Magic’s father by reminiscing about his own blue-collar upbringing, and when Magic refuses to eat the gourmet meal, Buss brings him a hamburger. Magic is a tough negotiator, seeking a $600,000 salary or he’ll return to school. The owner stands steadfast and refers to Magic as “boy,” while his father advises him to accept a lower price, but Buss is on Magic’s side. Before the emcee proclaims, “It’s showtime!” he brings him to a hip nightclub and meets him with some attractive females.
West wants them to choose Sidney Moncrief, but Buss is determined on Magic Johnson. He takes Magic to a posh party where champagne and drugs are pouring, and Norm Nixon decides to humble Magic by showing him up on the basketball floor in front of a crowd. Magic considers going home for another year of college as a result of the humiliation, and to make matters worse, the previous owner is trying to squeeze Buss out of the sale by wanting the full sum in cash. In the water, Buss declares himself dead. He tells the old owner that he’s going through a tumultuous separation and wants this deal to close far more than Buss does. Magic, on the other hand, dumps a bombshell on Buss. He’s returning to school. Buss welcomes Magic’s decision, but he also leads him around the Forum’s halls, where he can see photographs of all the Laker greats and a locker that already has his #32 jersey in it. He’s changed his mind by the time he gets on the floor to shoot some hoops. The Lakers officially draught him, paying him $500,000.
