Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Now Showing

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

"Everybody wants a piece."

7.7
Yr 2022
Status Canceled
Drama Comedy
Your Verdict

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Back
Series Brief

Overview

A fast-break series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports' most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined an era, both on and off the court.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 55 /100

Critical reception for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is largely mixed. While reviewers acknowledge the appeal of the 1980s Lakers' transformation into a cultural phenomenon, many critics found the series struggled with its execution. Common complaints focus on an uneven, occasionally farcical tone and a messy narrative structure.

Despite a strong ensemble cast, including John C. Reilly and Quincy Isaiah, the series was frequently described as failing to capture the magic of its subject matter. Critics noted that even with compelling performances, the drama often felt sluggish or over-stretched, ultimately failing to achieve the greatness of the dynasty it depicts.

“The equivalent of missing what should be an easy layup... stumbles on the road to greatness, undermining can’t-miss subject matter for basketball fans with an uneven, at times farcical tone.”

“Strong performances can’t quite paper over a messy structure.”

“This big, fun, quickfire series shows a team transcending their sport to become an entire cultural epoch. So why does it feel sluggish?”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

HBO Max
US • UK
Crave
CA
HBO Max Amazon Channel
US • UK
Show 3 more
Crave Amazon Channel
CA
Now TV
UK
Sky Go
UK
Why fans love it

Winning Time charts the chaotic ascent of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. Rather than a straightforward sports biopic, the show leans into a restless, kinetic style that mirrors its subject matter. By frequently breaking the fourth wall, the narrative invites viewers into the perspective of both the athletes and the front office as they navigate the pressure of a rising NBA dynasty.

John C. Reilly anchors the production with a portrayal that highlights the tension inherent in building an icon from the ground up. The writing balances professional high-stakes drama with the off-court volatility of the era. It treats basketball not just as a game, but as a cultural flashpoint in a decade defined by excess and rapid change.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 20
Longest run 17 eps
John C. Reilly
John C. Reilly
as Jerry Buss
17 episodes
Quincy Isaiah
Quincy Isaiah
as Earvin 'Magic' Johnson
17 episodes
Jason Clarke
Jason Clarke
as Jerry West
17 episodes
Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody
as Pat Riley
17 episodes
Gaby Hoffmann
Gaby Hoffmann
as Claire Rothman
17 episodes
Jason Segel
Jason Segel
as Paul Westhead
17 episodes
Tracy Letts
Tracy Letts
as Jack McKinney
10 episodes
Hadley Robinson
Hadley Robinson
as Jeanie Buss
10 episodes
Show 67 more
DeVaughn Nixon as Norman 'Norm' Nixon 10 episodes Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10 episodes Tamera Tomakili as Earleatha 'Cookie' Kelly 10 episodes Brett Cullen as Bill Sharman 10 episodes Stephen Adly Guirgis as Frank Mariani 10 episodes Spencer Garrett as Chick Hearn 10 episodes Sarah Ramos as Cheryl Pistono 10 episodes Molly Gordon as Linda Zafrani 10 episodes Joseph Brooks as Lon Rosen 10 episodes Jimel Atkins as Jamaal Wilkes 10 episodes Rob Morgan as Earvin Johnson Sr. 10 episodes Sally Field as Jessie Buss 10 episodes Michael O'Keefe as Jack Kent Cooke 1 episode Kate Arrington as Joann Mueller 1 episode Sean Small as Larry Bird 1 episode Kirk Bovill as Donald Sterling 1 episode Jerry Zucker as Jerry Zucker 1 episode David Zucker as David Zucker 1 episode Jim Abrahams as Jim Abrahams 1 episode Daniel Deyoung as Rod Thorn 1 episode Emily Berry as Head Nurse 1 episode Anusha Angur as Young Nurse 1 episode Stewart Skelton as Cooke Lead Counsel 1 episode Emil Beheshti as Cooke Counsel 2 1 episode Edward Fletcher as Sportswriter 1 episode Brian Mahoney as Sportswriter 1 episode Ted Enberg as Dick Enberg 1 episode Cayden K. Williams as 8-Year-Old Earvin 1 episode Landon Gordon as Child Actor 1 episode Gayla Johnson as Beauty Parlor Woman 1 episode Tiffany Jeneen as Beauty Parlor Woman 1 episode Stevvi Alexander as Beauty Parlor Woman 1 episode Arielle Reitsma as Honey 1 episode Jonathan T. Floyd as Fred / Playboy Mansion Valet 1 episode Michael James Boehler as Naked Man 1 episode Terrence Stone as Butler 1 episode Michael Whaley as Horn Nightclub MC 1 episode Michael Majacks as Cab Driver 1 episode Theresa Cameron as Stage Mom 1 episode Yulia Rogatneva as Sterling Girl 1 episode Olivia Novak as Sterling Girl 1 episode G. Larry Butler as Johnny Most 1 episode Thom Pinto as Male Radio Broadcaster (voice) 1 episode Courtney Friel as Female Radio Broadcaster (voice) 1 episode Harold Boons as Funny Johnson Uncle 1 episode Bettye Davis as Funny Johnson Aunt 1 episode Shiyenne Talley as Johnson Sister 1 episode Jeff Pearlman as Journalist 1 episode Catherine Pearlman as Bulls Secretary 1 episode Idan Ravin as Daytime TV Anchor 1 episode Nicholas Britell as Horn Nightclub Piano Player 1 episode Noa Nevé as Horn Nightclub Singer 1 episode Ashley Argota as Horn Nightclub Singer 1 episode Carmit Bachar as Horn Nightclub Singer 1 episode Melinda Sullivan as Horn Nightclub Singer 1 episode Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach 2 episodes LisaGay Hamilton as Christine Johnson 2 episodes Lola Kirke as Karen Bue West 1 episode Rachel Hilson as Cindy Day 1 episode Carter Redwood as Brian 1 episode Lucy Walters as Beverly 1 episode Rickey Brown as Quincy Johnson 2 episodes Darone Okolie as Larry Johnson 2 episodes Andy Hirsch as David Stern 2 episodes David Purdham as Larry O'Brien 2 episodes Jack Doke as Dennis McKinney 2 episodes Vera Myers as Girlfriend (uncredited) 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Art Department Coordinator
Rachel Scott Gerin Del Carmen
Creator
Max Borenstein Jim Hecht
Director of Photography
Mihai Malaimare Jr. Ricardo Diaz
Leadman
Rick Staves
Set Designer
Ryan Goertz Argya Sadan Tom Wagman
Set Decoration
Jon J. Bush
Property Master
Mychael Bates Lynda Reiss Jared Scardina Chris Call
Still Photographer
Warrick Page
Set Decorating Coordinator
Marcia Dios
Graphic Designer
Dylan J. Hay-Chapman Lima Hyelim Kang
Production Design
Clayton Hartley
Assistant Property Master
Corey Belt
First Assistant "A" Camera
David Edsall
Art Direction
Stephen Dudro Jacqueline Glynn Harrison Hartley
Construction Coordinator
Mike Villarino
Second Assistant "A" Camera
Jason Alegre
Key Grip
Ray Garcia
Main Title Designer
Hank Corwin
"B" Camera Operator
John T. Connor
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on novel or book basketball breaking the fourth wall national basketball association (nba) basketball team 1980s los angeles lakers
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
March 06, 2022
Status
Canceled
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
187