‘Winning Time’ Star Quincy Isaiah Dreamed of Playing Shaquille O’Neal, but Says Magic Johnson ‘Might Be a Better Role’
variety.comScott Huver The scene at Wednesday’s premiere of HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” at the Theatre at Ace Hotel was nearly as fast-paced and celebrity-packed as the 1980s Showtime era of the Los Angeles Lakers the series depicts — and even had a few gilded basketball hoops.Executive producers Adam McKay, Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht welcomed a deep-bench of the series’ performers, including both an all-star lineup of veteran pros — including John C.
Reilly, Adrien Brody, Sally Field, Jason Clarke, Jason Segel and Michael Chiklis — and a slew of impressive newcomers. And despite playing roles that ultimately became godlike sports icons, the actors told Variety they were surprised by how much they related to their real-world humanity. “There’s not a single sports organization in the whole world that doesn’t emulate the style that he created with the Lakers and the opportunities that he realized were there,” said Reilly of his role, Lakers owner Dr.
Jerry Buss. “I was really honored to play the guy. My emotional life became really invested in his. I realized we had a lot in common: We really believe in the powers of positive thinking; we come from humble backgrounds; we came out here to L.A.
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