Jerry West Requests Retraction for Portrayal in HBO's 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty'

etonline.com:

HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. The former Los Angeles Lakers player, who went on to work as head coach before ultimately serving as general manager of the team between 1982 and 2000, is seeking an apology, retraction and damages from HBO, Warner Bros.

Discovery, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, according to a letter sent by West's attorney, Skip Miller, and obtained by ET. “The portrayal of NBA icon and LA Lakers legend Jerry West in  is fiction pretending to be fact — a deliberately false characterization that has caused great distress to Jerry and his family," Miller said in a statement. «Contrary to the baseless portrayal in the HBO series, Jerry had nothing but love for and harmony with the Lakers organization, and in particular owner Dr.

Jerry Buss, during an era in which he assembled one of the greatest teams in NBA history.»The statement continues, «HBO’s characterization of Jerry is so egregious and cruel that a number of former Lakers players, executives and associates — some who are also portrayed in the series and worked directly with him for many years — have weighed in.» Among those are Jamaal Wilkes and Michael Cooper, whose statements recalling West's behavior are included with the letter. «Jerry West was an integral part of the Lakers and NBA’s success,» Miller said. «It is a travesty that HBO has knowingly demeaned him for shock value and the pursuit of ratings.

As an act of common decency, HBO and the producers owe Jerry a public apology and at the very least should retract their baseless and defamatory portrayal of him.” In the letter, dated April 19, Miller asks that „a retraction of ’s false depiction of Jerry West“ be issued within two weeks. „You also owe Mr.