HBO has made the decision to not renew the television series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” for a third season. This conclusion was reached due to lower viewership ratings and strong criticism from individuals associated with the “Showtime” Lakers era.
The show, which premiered in March 2022, aimed to capture the captivating journey of the 1980s Lakers and delve into the lives and careers of personalities like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Despite its premise, “Winning Time” struggled to resonate with both audiences and critics.
Inspired by Jeff Pearlman’s researched book titled “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.” Concerns about the show’s future were already in doubt last month. Pearlman urged fans on X (formerly Twitter) to support the series amidst Hollywood strikes that had created uncertainty.
And, to be blunt, I’m worried there won’t be a season three. And it’s not about me. I’m fine. It’s about a cast of amazing young actors who live this. So, seriously, tell your friends to support “Winning Time” and show @hbo you want it to continue. Peace. #winningtime https://t.co/1KD2uKOY16
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) August 16, 2023
Pearlman praised the cast and called upon viewers to help ensure a future for “Winning Time.” However, despite their efforts, it was ultimately necessary for the show to conclude prematurely.
The end of “Winning Time” is marked by criticism and controversies
One major obstacle faced by the show was the dissatisfaction voiced by actual Lakers icons. A point of contention was the portrayal of personalities in the series, leading to criticism from individuals like Jerry West.
West’s lawyer even sent a letter pointing out the alleged misrepresentation of West as an unstable character, a sentiment shared by Abdul Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes. Abdul Jabbar, in a critique, mentioned that the series failed to capture the culturally significant story of the Lakers golden era.
Additionally, pacing seemed to be an issue with the show. It took until the fifth episode of the first season for an actual basketball game to be depicted, while in the second season, several years of team history were rushed through hurriedly.
It is clear that capturing the magic of the “Showtime” Lakers era – an era filled with legends and groundbreaking basketball – presents a challenge.
Despite having a cast featuring Quincy Isaiah and Solomon Hughes, the series fell short in capturing the essence and charm of the real-life Lakers legends.
It is what it is. #WinningTime pic.twitter.com/upyzNpwLYg
— Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (@winningtimehbo) September 18, 2023
Magic Johnson, a legend of that time, expressed this sentiment last year, emphasizing the unique and irreplaceable nature of the Lakers experience.
Unfortunately, despite its premise and substantial support, “Winning Time” failed to sustain the momentum required to depict one of basketball’s iconic eras. It now exits the stage, leaving behind a narrative of what might have been.
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