In the year 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers had a choice to make that would define their legacy as a team. They would go for either Magic Johnson, the African-American MVP of Michigan State who had just won an NCAA championship. Or, trade their first pick for Larry Bird, the assumed Rookie of the Year, from Indiana State. This is where the Lakers made their mark in the NBA for years to come.
This is the premise of the HBO original series: The rise of the Lakers Dynasty. The storyline follows Lakers owner Jerry Buss, played by actor John C. Reiley. He is known as the Han Solo of Basketball, leaving fans unsure whether to love or hate him. Nonetheless, this man took basketball to a different level. Unlike most team owners, Buss did not pick based on stats or race; instead, he picked off sales, creating a huge fan base of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers drafted Magic Johnson, which one should know unless they have never heard of the Lakers or the NBA, offering him nearly 600,000 dollars a year.
Not only was Doctor Buss a revolutionary businessman, but he had access to a never ending supply of money in order to supply his team with whatever they needed. He was one of the first to make decisions not based on costs, but by getting the best players, coaches, and facilities. His first step was getting the star player, a young Magic Johnson played by Quincy Isaiah. “Young blood”, as they called him whose smile lit up the room. After that, the Lakers had their iconic duo “Magic and Kareem”. Secondly, he had to get the coach. Buss hired a long-time Laker from player to coach, Jerry West, played by Jason Clarke. West had the determination to win and had the team. From being in multiple championships yet always losing to the Boston Celtics. After years of losing, this created one of the biggest rivalries in NBA history while making all lakers fans shout “F*** Boston!” A couple months in, things changed around a bit and we met the Lakers’ second coach Jack McKinney played by Tracy Letts.
“Who is this f*cking nobody?” is something said by Jerry West on the show, but also something the reader is probably asking. This man was a psycho he took basketball as a melody if you will trying to create a masterpiece using each player as a note. Finally, everything is ready to make a star, putting the Lakers on top with a savvy manager, strategic coaches, and star athletes.
The show as a whole is not just an overview on basketball, but an enticing drama that delves into racism, greed, lust, rivalry, hierarchy, and even religion. When thinking of the show, many find it unappealing but when actually watching, their mindset will be completely changed. This show is not just about basketball. It is so much more, as someone who does not watch or play basketball, watching the show has been an entertaining experience. Later in the show, one discovers that perhaps the team is not as solid as it’s said to be and might have a few cracks whether it be financially or in its teamwork.
The one definite thing that can be said is that this show is one of the best HBO originals, and is sure to win a few awards. Critics from sports televisors and alumni of the Lakers are calling this a major hit and ratings are going through the roof. Unfortunately, not everyone has this view and one of those people is coach Jerry West. Two weeks earlier West claimed a lawsuit against the show because of his portrayal being an inaccurate representation. However, the Wolfpacket gives this show a 10/10. It will be super exciting to watch the show come to an end soon with the season almost finished. The Wolfpacket encourages readers to watch along at the same time as Carson Paul to see why “LA is truly number one.”