I was skeptical after seeing the trailer, so going in I didn't have high expectations that this show would be accurate. And it didn't let me down.
I've cheered through 10 Lakers titles (was too young for 1972) and read stories by Scott Ostler and more recently Jeff Pearlman's book which this show is based on. These were each fascinating to read. I wasn't there in the locker room, but by reading these books I felt that I was. Surprisingly Pearlman glows about the show in a recent interview. But it's nothing like his book, only an enhanced fabrication based on some of it, with a clear emphasis on turning up the contrast to attract viewers.
The first show was more of an over the top look at the beginning of Showtime rather than a simple retelling of the stories that unfolded with the many personalities.
So first of all I don't like the way Jerry Buss is portrayed. Buss was a handsome guy when he first purchased the Lakers. Not some pug-nosed aging fool. Secondly, Buss wasn't vocal in public about "sex and basketball" and his conquests of women. It was more for show, he'd bring a young date (or 2) to functions. Or go to the Playboy mansion with Magic. Also, Buss or West did not pose for pics with Magic during the draft. It was commissioner Larry O'Brien, who was portrayed terribly in this show, and Magic's mom & dad. No, Buss was not there foolishly add-libbing an index finger toward Magic. And West who was a behind the scenes guy wasn't standing there with a smirk. West was lukewarm at best on the pick. There were no Lakers logos and especially the words "the forum" on the wall. That was more a combo of splashing the current into the past and dumbing the scene down for the ignorant.
West had a low key persona in public. The closest thing we saw to his fiery personality was as a head coach in the mid-70s where he'd scowl on the court. But so what, that's what coaches do, right? He was known to bring up some cuss words in private but did he rage and break golf clubs? Doubtful. He had some phobias and demons, sure. But this series pushes them past the limits.
Kareem is about right so far. Aloof, unsocial, and yes they hit it on the Airplane scene. But everyone knew how that went so it was basically a remake. Norm Nixon was another doubtful portrayal. We know about his clashes with Jerry West through news of the time and the books. And he was savoir faire with the ladies before Magic came aboard. But he didn't rage about him before they drafted him. That relationship built up gradually with clashes in practice and competition with women.
Magic's portrayal was all right, though I was cringing during the family scenes and some of his dialogue. They did have the meeting with Jack Kent Cooke and that infamous cheeseburger request pretty close. Those sand daubs looked grosser than I could imagine. But Buss wasn't there. And it was Cooke who said he would sell to Buss only if they drafted Magic.
And women were just not that strong in the 80s. The men ruled the game. Jack Kent Cooke's secretary was a close portrayal as she was instrumental in some of the forum novelties and keeping things together. Jeanie Buss was not demanding to do anything like the show portrays. Her dad brought her in himself and she was fascinated by the whole process. So her scenes were done to show a little more power than she had at the time and bring a little SJW to the show.
If they could've just told it how it was in the books this series would be a little better. Can't make up with some of the actors likenesses, but at least it would be more truthful and less false hype. Real Life always trumps gossip column hype in this show's case. And if I'm tuning again in it's to see what they got right, but unfortunately along with that comes the suspension of disbelief and the scoffing at the guesswork of adding more than needed.
I've cheered through 10 Lakers titles (was too young for 1972) and read stories by Scott Ostler and more recently Jeff Pearlman's book which this show is based on. These were each fascinating to read. I wasn't there in the locker room, but by reading these books I felt that I was. Surprisingly Pearlman glows about the show in a recent interview. But it's nothing like his book, only an enhanced fabrication based on some of it, with a clear emphasis on turning up the contrast to attract viewers.
The first show was more of an over the top look at the beginning of Showtime rather than a simple retelling of the stories that unfolded with the many personalities.
So first of all I don't like the way Jerry Buss is portrayed. Buss was a handsome guy when he first purchased the Lakers. Not some pug-nosed aging fool. Secondly, Buss wasn't vocal in public about "sex and basketball" and his conquests of women. It was more for show, he'd bring a young date (or 2) to functions. Or go to the Playboy mansion with Magic. Also, Buss or West did not pose for pics with Magic during the draft. It was commissioner Larry O'Brien, who was portrayed terribly in this show, and Magic's mom & dad. No, Buss was not there foolishly add-libbing an index finger toward Magic. And West who was a behind the scenes guy wasn't standing there with a smirk. West was lukewarm at best on the pick. There were no Lakers logos and especially the words "the forum" on the wall. That was more a combo of splashing the current into the past and dumbing the scene down for the ignorant.
West had a low key persona in public. The closest thing we saw to his fiery personality was as a head coach in the mid-70s where he'd scowl on the court. But so what, that's what coaches do, right? He was known to bring up some cuss words in private but did he rage and break golf clubs? Doubtful. He had some phobias and demons, sure. But this series pushes them past the limits.
Kareem is about right so far. Aloof, unsocial, and yes they hit it on the Airplane scene. But everyone knew how that went so it was basically a remake. Norm Nixon was another doubtful portrayal. We know about his clashes with Jerry West through news of the time and the books. And he was savoir faire with the ladies before Magic came aboard. But he didn't rage about him before they drafted him. That relationship built up gradually with clashes in practice and competition with women.
Magic's portrayal was all right, though I was cringing during the family scenes and some of his dialogue. They did have the meeting with Jack Kent Cooke and that infamous cheeseburger request pretty close. Those sand daubs looked grosser than I could imagine. But Buss wasn't there. And it was Cooke who said he would sell to Buss only if they drafted Magic.
And women were just not that strong in the 80s. The men ruled the game. Jack Kent Cooke's secretary was a close portrayal as she was instrumental in some of the forum novelties and keeping things together. Jeanie Buss was not demanding to do anything like the show portrays. Her dad brought her in himself and she was fascinated by the whole process. So her scenes were done to show a little more power than she had at the time and bring a little SJW to the show.
If they could've just told it how it was in the books this series would be a little better. Can't make up with some of the actors likenesses, but at least it would be more truthful and less false hype. Real Life always trumps gossip column hype in this show's case. And if I'm tuning again in it's to see what they got right, but unfortunately along with that comes the suspension of disbelief and the scoffing at the guesswork of adding more than needed.