'Winning Time': Who's Who in the Real-Life Lakers Dynasty Drama
etonline.compremieres Sunday on HBO, giving fans a look back at the legendary franchise's incredible, star-studded run in the 1980s.«The Lakers really changed the game, the global game that we celebrate today,» Solomon Hughes, who plays Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the series, told ET. «This story is about the beginnings of that.»The Adam McKay-directed show is based on the Jeff Pearlman book,, and tips off when Jerry Buss purchases the team in 1979.
The iconic owner would spend the next decade revitalizing not just the Lakers roster and coaching staff — with stars who would go on to become NBA legends like Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley and more -- but the experience of attending a basketball game as well.«It was an honor to tell his story,» said John C.
Reilly, who plays Buss in the series. «What an incredible thing that he pulled off. He's pretty much unique as a sports team owner, I mean, the innovations that he made changed the whole world.
So, it's a wild story.»A wild story, which includes some larger-than-life personalities and not a small amount of conflict, the cast admitted to ET during the premiere and junket.«You have to try to tell the truth,» Reilly shared. «A puff piece does not honor Dr.
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