via Reuters
Retired basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (L) stands by at a news conference outside City Hall, after National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver made an announcement regarding Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, in Los Angeles, California, April 29, 2014. REUTERS/David McNew (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT POLITICS) – RTR3N57Q
via Reuters
Retired basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (L) stands by at a news conference outside City Hall, after National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver made an announcement regarding Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, in Los Angeles, California, April 29, 2014. REUTERS/David McNew (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT POLITICS) – RTR3N57Q
Last month, HBO launched their Los Angeles Lakers-focused show?Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Highlighting the dynasty during the 1980s, the series focuses on stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and even Jerry West. What few expected, however, was West demanding an apology from the show for an incorrect depiction.
Additionally, other Lakers legends sided with West, confirming that he was nothing like the series portrayed him as.
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Of course, fans had their own opinion on the topic. In fact, many believed that the reaction by their stars was only because HBO managed to show the truth.
NBA fans have an interesting take on Jerry West’s apology demand
As per fans, NBA icons like Abdul-Jabber, Magic Johnson, and Jerry West are all reacting in a certain way because the series is ‘accurate’.
The only people who demand retractions are people who are portrayed just a little bit too accurately. Literally every written account of this man’s behavior is spot on with what’s happening on Winning Time right now.
— Darth_Corvus (@Darth_Corvus_) April 20, 2022
Dies he realize by even responding to this that he is proving the story true?
— Coach T (@BAY2VEGAS) April 20, 2022
I think many point out here already, it’s not a documentary.
— Richard (@dodgerdawg81) April 20, 2022
Lighten up, Jerry. This just shows that even though they made a caricature out of you with fictionalized events and an exaggerated trait, they still caught your essence. Everyone knows it's fictionalized. Even the road trip ending at Boston is fiction. Get over it.
— OG 🏀 Laker Dana 🏳️🌈🇺🇸 (@lakersdana) April 20, 2022
It’s literally a satire, you can’t sue a spoof. Everyone watching knows that too. Just enjoy it for what it is
— Todd (MAMBA 4 LIFE !) PLAYOFFS (@ToddMamba4Life) April 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/Kameron841/status/1516642400957046790?s=20&t=5Q47lXO28dqHj47UfohR3g
This kind of response is exactly how I think the jerry west from the show would react
— Chris (@IamlronMan) April 20, 2022
According to most fans, people only react in this manner if the show is true. Some added that the show was actually ‘spot on’ and ended up angering those who were involved. Others pointed out that West might not have realized, but his actions are only proving the show right. Many even added that interestingly, the West in the show would act exactly like West is doing right now.
Additionally, fans did not fail to mention that this is a show and not a documentary.
What did West’s statement say?
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The statement made by Jerry West calls out Winning Time for their ‘false characterization’, while also causing West and his family a lot of distress. “Contrary to the baseless portrayal in the HBO series, Jerry had nothing but love for and harmony with the Lakers organization, and in particular owner Dr. Jerry Buss, during an era in which he assembled one of the greatest teams in NBA history.”
They added that West was an important part of the NBA’s success, and should not be portrayed in such a defamatory manner.
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Furthermore, the statement’s from players like Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, and other Lakers employees like Charlene Kenney and Bob Steiner backed West up. “Instead of exploring his issues with compassion as a way to better understand the man, they turn him into a Wile E. Coyote cartoon to be laughed at,” Abdul-Jabbar said.
Many fans also backed West up, adding that they do not support or agree with the show. According to some, even if it is not a documentary, people need to show some amount of accuracy.
