*** WINNING TIME *** (Season 2)

7,099 Views | 85 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Yoda
TCTTS
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AG
Returns this Sunday, and reviews have been pretty great so far...

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Season 2 (7 Episodes)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10244600/
August 6, 2023
HBO + Max



Prosperdick
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AG
Know Your Enemy
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AG
LFG!!!!!!
Prosperdick
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AG
I'm so looking forward to this...after Hijack and Full Circle I'm ready for a series that I know will bring the goods.
TCTTS
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AG
And then this will lead right into True Detective: Night Country in October. In other words, HBO Sunday nights should hopefully deliver for the rest of the year.
Prosperdick
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TCTTS said:

And then this will lead right into True Detective: Night Country in October. In other words, HBO Sunday nights should hopefully deliver for the rest of the year.
And hopefully the Ags are kicking ass!
TCTTS
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I totally get why they decided to rush through the '80-'81 season, but devoting only two episodes to it wasn't enough. It felt like there should have been one between last week and this week, where we got to see Norm/the team find their groove, Magic having to sit out while the team finds success, etc. Especially considering this season consists of only seven episodes, it's not like they didn't have room for it. It was a decent episode overall, just kind of jarring, that's all.
Prosperdick
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TCTTS said:

I totally get why they decided to rush through the '80-'81 season, but devoting only two episodes to it wasn't enough. It felt like there should have been one between last week and this week, where we got to see Norm/the team find their groove, Magic having to sit out while the team finds success, etc. Especially considering this season consists of only seven episodes, it's not like they didn't have room for it. It was decent episode overall, just kind of jarring, that's all.
I agree and was shocked when they went right to the Rockets knocking them out in the first round. 1981 was a crazy post-season as the Rockets were 40-42 and actually faced the KC Kings who were also 40-42 in the Western Conference Finals.

In the Finals against the Celtics Moses Malone famously said "I could take four guys off the streets of Petersburg (Malone's Virginia hometown) and beat them." Oops, that was dumb Moses. At that time they were 2-2 but Boston crushed them the next two games to take the title.

I doubt the show will go into those details, maybe a quick flash to Bird holding up the trophy and Magic watching it on TV from his home.

I agree it felt rushed but did enjoy seeing Jerry West's tirade, that was a highlight.
Txmoe
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TCTTS said:

I totally get why they decided to rush through the '80-'81 season, but devoting only two episodes to it wasn't enough. It felt like there should have been one between last week and this week, where we got to see Norm/the team find their groove, Magic having to sit out while the team finds success, etc. Especially considering this season consists of only seven episodes, it's not like they didn't have room for it. It was decent episode overall, just kind of jarring, that's all.
Agreed! Drove home the point that this season is strictly about Magic's POV. Also makes me wonder which finals they were referring to last week in the flash forward. They were about to face the Celtics but those teams faced each other in two straight finals ('84 and '85). If it's the second, then they're collapsing four seasons into a single TV season. Seems like a shame to blow through everything so quickly and makes me think this might be the last season for several of the ball players.

Still loving the series. I'd say the only drag comes from the Buss family drama. Replacing Sally Field's character with the sons hasn't been very interesting so far.
Txmoe
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I just remembered that they started the first season with a flash forward of when Magic retired from the NBA after contracting HIV; and then they didn't reference it again the rest of the season. So it's likely that the flash forward won't bookend the season.
Prosperdick
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Txmoe said:

TCTTS said:

I totally get why they decided to rush through the '80-'81 season, but devoting only two episodes to it wasn't enough. It felt like there should have been one between last week and this week, where we got to see Norm/the team find their groove, Magic having to sit out while the team finds success, etc. Especially considering this season consists of only seven episodes, it's not like they didn't have room for it. It was decent episode overall, just kind of jarring, that's all.
Agreed! Drove home the point that this season is strictly about Magic's POV. Also makes me wonder which finals they were referring to last week in the flash forward. They were about to face the Celtics but those teams faced each other in two straight finals ('84 and '85). If it's the second, then they're collapsing four seasons into a single TV season. Seems like a shame to blow through everything so quickly and makes me think this might be the last season for several of the ball players.

Still loving the series. I'd say the only drag comes from the Buss family drama. Replacing Sally Field's character with the sons hasn't been very interesting so far.
Very true, the sons have been duds so far. The less time spent on them going forward the better.

As for the flash forward I think it's the '84 finals and I would expect this season to lead up to that moment but I could be wrong.
Brian Earl Spilner
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TCTTS said:

I totally get why they decided to rush through the '80-'81 season, but devoting only two episodes to it wasn't enough. It felt like there should have been one between last week and this week, where we got to see Norm/the team find their groove, Magic having to sit out while the team finds success, etc. Especially considering this season consists of only seven episodes, it's not like they didn't have room for it. It was a decent episode overall, just kind of jarring, that's all.


To be honest I was relieved they got it over with. I'm ready to get to 84.
TCTTS
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Yeah, overall, I get it. At the first of the episode it just felt like there was a lot of blatant, here's-what's-happened-the-past-few-months exposition and I kept thinking, "Wait, why wasn't that an episode?" Especially after last season was a single basketball season. I agree, though, I'm ready to get to the promise of the premise, with Showtime in all its glory, Riley and his slicked back hair, Lakers vs. Celtics in the Finals, etc.
Yoda
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Episode 3 was amazing. Never thought they would show that much of Larry's side of the story, and I think the show just took another leap forward by doing so. This is easily my favorite thing on TV right now.

The music, the design, and the actors they've assembled are all just perfect. Such a fun show. Read above that this season is only 7 episodes long, which is a shame. Don't know how many seasons they have planned, but beyond the Magic vs. Larry story, I'd love to also get the '86 Rockets and young Hakeem upsetting the Lakers which kept them from facing the Celtics in the finals. We also need to see the years versus the Pistons and early Jordan, so let's hope they don't skip right through those years to get to the HIV bookend of Magic's career.
TCTTS
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Yeah, now I wish we could have been spending more time with Bird and his backstory, considering that was infinitely more compelling that Magic's backstory with Cookie.
Brian Earl Spilner
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As interesting as the Larry stuff is, not sure I'm getting why it needs to be in a show about the Lakers. I thought he had been a little too prominent even before this episode.

They should've just made this a Magic vs Bird show.

The front office drama was pretty good though. A great episode overall.
Prosperdick
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Brian Earl Spilner said:

As interesting as the Larry stuff is, not sure I'm getting why it needs to be in a show about the Lakers. I thought he had been a little too prominent even before this episode.

They should've just made this a Magic vs Bird show.

The front office drama was pretty good though. A great episode overall.
Larry was his arch nemesis and it's always a good idea to flesh out the villain. It's the RISE of Showtime...Larry and the Celtics were the ones that provided that motivation and drive in the Lakers so I'm fine with it and as TCTTS said, it was WAY more compelling than the nightly Cookie calls (they've driven that whole relationship into the ground).

They also did a good job of showing Jerry's arch nemesis of Red. I loved the scene of Auerbach knowing just what buttons to push for Larry to sign with the Celtics. It's very similar to Jerry knowing what buttons to push with Magic so that was a nice theme they played with last night.

Best episode of the season so far and already looking forward to next Sunday. I especially can't wait for Riley to become Riley.
Prosperdick
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One other point, loved that they actually showed Larry in jeans and work boots schooling Indiana State in practice and making sure to let viewers know that he actually did play in jeans (probably had sneakers on though) and a nice little shout out to him calling his shot before he let go (ala the 3 point shooting content).
Prosperdick
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Speaking of Cookie, I used to joke when all the stuff came out about Magic sleeping around on her (after they were married but before the HIV diagnosis) that she would never divorce him because what if she met a John Doe and ended up marrying him. Or a Jack Cutter...or a Joe Monster.

Yes, I was making dad jokes before I was even a dad.
Brian Earl Spilner
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Agree that the Cookie storyline needs to resolve quickly. I just don't care about that whole relationship. If I didn't know they get married IRL I would have said just ditch her already and get on with it.
Prosperdick
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Yoda said:

Episode 3 was amazing. Never thought they would show that much of Larry's side of the story, and I think the show just took another leap forward by doing so. This is easily my favorite thing on TV right now.

The music, the design, and the actors they've assembled are all just perfect. Such a fun show. Read above that this season is only 7 episodes long, which is a shame. Don't know how many seasons they have planned, but beyond the Magic vs. Larry story, I'd love to also get the '86 Rockets and young Hakeem upsetting the Lakers which kept them from facing the Celtics in the finals. We also need to see the years versus the Pistons and early Jordan, so let's hope they don't skip right through those years to get to the HIV bookend of Magic's career.
I doubt they'd show it but one of my favorite Bird stories was during the '86 Finals and Hakeem picked Bill Walton's pocket two times in a row for easy dunks at the other end of the floor. KC Jones calls timeout...Bird looks at KC, points to Walton, and says (loudly) "Take him out of the f***ing game now." KC smartly listened and sat him (maybe for the rest of the game, can't recall).

Years later whenever Bill was calling Rockets games on national TV he would always take every opportunity to criticize Olajuwon when he made a mistake (which wasn't often) and I'm convinced to this day it was because he got pantsed by Hakeem and called out by Bird and never let go of the grudge.
OldArmy71
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Not a fan of Magic and I hate the Lakers, so I am very pleased to see so much time spent on Bird.

BTW, the 1972 Finals Game 5 is on NBA TV right now. Lakers Wilt, Pat Riley, Jerry West vs. Knicks (including Phil Jackson).

Interesting to see what the game was like as I remember it growing up. Much less carrying of the ball, for instance.
slatermikan
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Really liked the first season much more. Just my opinion, but the Magic actor is the weak link and is tough to watch.
OldArmy71
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Yes, the whole thing is getting stale. It keeps cycling through the same old stuff.

First season was much better.
Txmoe
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I think he's great at capturing the smiling and entertaining Magic but 'mopey Magic' is just boring, especially when he's on the phone with Cookie.

Other things dragging down this season:
  • Scoundrel Jerry is so much more fun than in-love Jerry
  • Buss sons have been a complete snooze
  • Not enough Kareem and Jerry West
  • We all know what happens to Westhead. Get to the next phase already. (But, kudos to Jason Segel for too good of a job in making him unlikeable.)
slatermikan
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"Mopey Magic" is perfect! Won't be able to watch him again without thinking that.
Brian Earl Spilner
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Segel is a great actor, but I'm ready to move on to the Riley era.
Brian Earl Spilner
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Overall though, this season is a pretty big step down so far, imo. Agree with most of the criticisms. There's been one great episode and the rest have been ok.
slatermikan
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As mentioned previously, the Bird character development is much more intersting.
Yoda
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Felt like the latest episode was a bridge setting up the final downfall of Coach Westhead and the rise of Riley, which we're all looking forward to. Mopey Magic is certainly less fun, so hopefully next week will be the payoff we've been waiting for.

I still think all the actors are great, including Magic. We've just been forced to watch him at his lowest point this season.

Still my favorite new show airing right now.
#1
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I thought it was a great episode. Got to give props to Jason Segel. He did a great job showing us Westhead's "Napoleon complex" that resulted in his own self demise. Also loved John C. Reilly in the episode. There were scenes where I thought he was going to go full on "step brothers" but the writers kept him as a savvy NBA owner who wanted what was best for the team at the time. I agree with Magic being the weak link but the episode didn't suffer for it.
BoxingAg84
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Here's the Back to School photoshoot they were showing at the beginning of the episode.



FL_Ag1998
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BoxingAg84 said:

Here's the Back to School photoshoot they were showing at the beginning of the episode.






Nice find, cool to see, thanks
Prosperdick
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Solid episode. I need to search out the frantic press conference on YouTube to see how accurate it was.

I did see next week's preview includes As The Cookie Turns (yawn) but hey, just happy we now have Pat Riley running *****

ETA - some of the footage exists and it's on reddit but it was very accurate even down to Riley making the "assistant coaches, I'm just thinking about lunch" joke and Buss did name West as offensive coach and Riley as defensive coach lol.

Buss later said he wanted West to be head coach but gave him the authority to use Riley anyway he wanted...West basically promoted Riley immediately to head coach. One of the more bizarre ways ever to become a head coach and ironically for a guy who would become a hall of fame coach.
BoxingAg84
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Prosperdick said:

Solid episode. I need to search out the frantic press conference on YouTube to see how accurate it was.

I did see next week's preview includes As The Cookie Turns (yawn) but hey, just happy we now have Pat Riley running *****

ETA - some of the footage exists and it's on reddit but it was very accurate even down to Riley making the "assistant coaches, I'm just thinking about lunch" joke and Buss did name West as offensive coach and Riley as defensive coach lol.

Buss later said he wanted West to be head coach but gave him the authority to use Riley anyway he wanted...West basically promoted Riley immediately to head coach. One of the more bizarre ways ever to become a head coach and ironically for a guy who would become a hall of fame coach.
Here are the pictures from the press conference. The outfits were exactly the same.


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