“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” is in its second season on HBO, and while it continues to draw rave reviews from some, it also keeps drawing criticism from other corners.
A number of players from the Los Angeles Lakers’ “Showtime” era of the 1980s have criticized or outright denounced the show. According to them, the series is very inaccurate and portrays certain people, such as executive Jerry West, as caricatures of who they really are in real life.
Still, current Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, who is frequently portrayed in “Winning Time,” says she watches it because she misses her father, former Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss.
.@JeanieBuss on the show #WinningTime:
“I just really miss my dad so much, it’s kind of nice to see him.”
Full interview: https://t.co/6YJCoegUIh pic.twitter.com/SQc4rbyBkb
— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) August 14, 2023
“Like whether it’s right or wrong, some of it’s very wrong and some of it’s pretty spot on. And they just started Season 2, and I think that John C. Reilly’s done a really good job at capturing Dr. Buss and I know some people are like I can’t believe you’re watching that show. And I said you know what, I just I really miss my dad so much, it’s kind of nice to see him.”
Despite being one of those who criticized the series for not being historically accurate, the younger Buss actually praised the series for getting one important detail about her father very right.
“And I found out that they got in touch with my dad’s old tailor who had passed away, but his son took over the business. So they literally, the wardrobe that he wears that’s what was making me crazy was like those were outfits that my dad actually wore. So the attention to detail they have in certain things and you know in this season they recreate epic fare which, a lot of people don’t even know what that is, but it’s just like surreal to experience.”
The elder Buss owned the Lakers from 1979 until his death in 2013. During his tenure, the team won 10 NBA championships and went from a bridesmaid franchise to one of the world’s most storied sports teams, not to mention the gold standard of basketball worldwide.
