Lakers News: How "Winning Time" Director Handled Signature '80s LA Rivalry

Even though your Los Angeles Lakers are still about two months away from kicking off their 2023-2024 NBA season, fans of the organization should definitely be tuning into the MAX-exclusive series known as 'Winning Time.' Episodes from season two are dropping every week and they tell the story of the historic 'Showtime' Lakers and everything that went into building that dynasty.

The NBA was much different at the time and even though the Lakers were already in Los Angeles, they had not been able to truly maximize the market and city. Owner Jerry Buss changed all of that as he and his family-knit core were able to truly turn the franchise around and start a rivalry with the Boston Celtics that brought incredible attention to the NBA.

Season two of 'Winning Time' is off to a hot start already as they have touched on the team chemistry issues that occurred following their first championship season in the 1980's, Magic Johnson's hunt to balance stardom on and off the court and Larry Bird's backstory to becoming a Boston Celtic.

Director of season two, episode three (Todd Banhazl) spoke to Hollywood Reporter and revealed why he was so invested in telling Bird's story along with Johnson's.

"There’s no Magic without Bird and there’s no Bird without Magic. They start off like mortal enemies, but really, they need each other, and they push each other to become better. The rivalry between the two dynasties is the rivalry between the two of them, and we all know that they actually become friends and that’s what’s so beautiful; they’re actually two sides of the same character."

(Via Hollywood Reporter)

Banhazl also drew comparisons between the two superstars when it came to their personal lives during this time.

"There are also these parallel surrogate father-son stories. This is the episode where Buss offers Magic a huge deal to be a Laker for the rest of his career and it really comes down to trust."

"The same thing is happening with Bird with the tragedy that happens with his real father and him finding a surrogate father figure in Bill Hodges, his assistant coach, the first person to really see him and say, “I see your talent, and I see that you’re scared, follow through with it."

(Via Hollywood Reporter)

The rest of this season will be epic so make sure you tune in!