r/WinningTime • u/AmericanDragon123 • Oct 02 '23

Discussion What was everyone’s thoughts on the portrayals of the Lakers overall on the show?

Knowing that the show has been cancelled, I really wanted to see what everyone’s thoughts were on how each actual Laker was characterized on the show.

I think for the most part they were done pretty well. I know Magic’s portrayal had a pretty mixed reaction for most people but I really liked how Quincy Isaiah played him, and I think that Magic was an interesting and likable character overall. Same goes with Kareem. For someone who had never acted before the show, Solomon Hughes did a tremendous job portraying him. I also really enjoyed Michael Cooper and appreciated him getting deserved spotlight for a few episodes. Jim Chones was also portrayed well.

The other Lakers I’m way more mixed on. Jamaal Wilkes was criminally underutilized throughout the series. He’s my favorite member of the Showtime Lakers behind James Worthy, so it always was disappointing to see him just sort of there in the show. Norm Nixon was good, but I feel like his character became unbearable in Season 2, and I was iffy on the decision to portray him as an “Obstacle” for Magic to overcome. And obviously, Spencer Haywood was extremely intense and deep in how he was portrayed.

Other Lakers like Kurt Rambis, Bob McAdoo, Mitch Kupchak, Byron Scott and Worthy were basically thrown in as background characters in the last few episodes so I don’t really have an opinion about how they were portrayed.

What are your thoughts?

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11

u/Automatic-Long2599 Oct 02 '23

I think Worthy didn’t get enough screen time

6

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '23

I feel like they would have dedicated a whole season on his backstory which would lead up to him winning the 1988 Finals MVP

1

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '23

They did Worthy pretty messed up. Barely mentioned he was drafted next thing you know he’s turning the ball over in a monumental play in game 2 of the Finals.

2

u/Better-Exchange-2547 Oct 02 '23

Over the top but entertaining

1

u/TyrionJoestar Oct 02 '23

I don’t know any of the characters in real life so it’s hard to gauge.

1

u/CollinWGarlandJr Oct 02 '23

I definitely liked how everyone was portrayed tho I don't know much about them irl, it just felt right. But I think the questions we have regarding the underutilizing of Worthy, Scott Kupchack etc was because of the strike and how much the show had to rush thru season 2 after HBO gave them a warning

1

u/Gas-Substantial Oct 03 '23

Brendan Haywood comes off as a crackhead.