The HBO Max seriesWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynastymight have been a hit for the streamer, but not everybody is a fan. Namely, some of the actual Lakers legends featured on the series, such as Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, have made it clear that they don’t intend to even watch through the scripted series. This seems to be in part due to the lack of any real-life Lakers' involvement with the show, along with the dramatization of the team’s story.
Even so, fans have been enjoying it, so much so that HBO Max has renewedWinning Timefor a second season. While that’s good news for star Quincy Isaiah, who plays Johnson in the series, he wants to clear the air about the backlash the show has drawn from Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar. Speaking about the situation withTMZ, Isaiah feels conflicted as he understands that it can be difficult for someone to watch a series taking creative liberties with that person’s life story. Be that as it may, the actor still feels proud of what theWinning Timehas accomplished, insisting that there’s no “malice” behind the portrayals of anyone featured in the series.
“I mean, I understand where they coming from because it’s a story about their life. So, it’s tough. But I really feel like we did a really good job of showing humans and showing a full version of who we at least perceive them to be. There’s no malice behind it… At the beginning and end of every episode it says ‘this is a dramatization.’ We take real facts that happen, and we make it good for TV.”
Isaiah also explains that he’s still a very big fan of Johnson, the NBA legend he has portrayed to critical acclaim inWinning Time. Even though Johnson won’t be watchingWinning Time, Isaiah says he’ll be checking out the Apple TV+ documentaryThey Call Me Magic, which features interviews with the famous Laker and focuses more on the real-life story without the dramatization needed for a scripted TV series. He encourages fans to also check out both series. The actor also says he’s grateful for Johnson and his incredible legacy, as it opened the door for the role of a lifetime for Isaiah.
“Magic, man, I love you dude. You literally lived an incredible life so that I could … I’m getting into an Escalade because he lived an incredible life. I have nothing but love and respect for that man.”
Related:They Call Me Magic Trailer Brings Magic Johnson’s Story to Apple TV+
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Won’t Even Bother Watching Winning Time
Previously, Magic Johnson said he was"not looking forward to it"when asked aboutWinning Timecoming to HBO Max, stating he was only focusing on the documentaries about the Lakers' rise in the 80s. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at least gave the series a chance, as the NBA legend has been quoted as saying he started the first episode, only to give up on the series rather quickly.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynastyis streaming on HBO Max. Season 2 doesn’t yet have a release date.
