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Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal sit on the bench with foul trouble against the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center Monday. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
HBO’s new show, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” has caught a lot of buzz. The series showcases the historic NBA franchise’s championship-winning journey. Legends like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the main focus of the story. However, it is intriguing to imagine if the story will continue onto the generation of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Let’s dive into the details as the producers open up about this unique possibility and the reception of the current season.
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Winning Time for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal?
During an interview with Cinema Blend, the executive producers Kevin Messick and Salli Richardson-Whitfield spilled the beans about what’s in store for “Winning Time”. As the second season kicks off, questions rise about long they see this slam-dunk series running. The show focuses on the likes of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the ’80s. The first season involved Magic’s rookie campaign and the Showtime Lakers’ first of five rings.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 25: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (L) and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson attend the MLB game between the Cincinnatti Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 25, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage)
Speaking about the future, Messick revealed they’ve got some juicy source material to draw from. Jeff Perlman’s book, “Showtime”.
Notably, Perlman also covered the epic saga of Shaq and Kobe Bryant, who are like the new-age version of Kareem and Magic. Remember when they teamed up from the mid-’90s to the early 2000s? Oh yeah, they crushed it on the court, bagging three championship titles for the Los Angeles Lakers.
But hey, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. From butting heads to working things out on the biggest stage, the drama would be off the charts.
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Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal, left, shares a laugh with Kobe Bryant on the bench during a pre-season game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim Thursday, October 23, 2003. (Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
They had their fair share of clashes, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spilled the beans on how their feud got the team all out of whack. With the potential for redemption and an endless array of stories to unveil, the $7.7 billion company is determined to keep viewers hooked.
Win or a loss for the show?
Despite the captivating allure of “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” it hasn’t been without its criticisms.
Some die-hard fans and legendary players have expressed mixed feelings about the show’s portrayal of their beloved era. The ’80s “Showtime” Lakers, with their fast-paced, highlight-reel basketball, remain iconic in basketball history.
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While the series attempts to honor their legacy, some fans feel that it falls short of capturing the true essence of that extraordinary team.
Additionally, some legendary players who lived through those glory days have openly shared their reservations. Furthermore, suggesting that certain aspects may not have been accurately represented.
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As the show embarks on a potential journey into the Kobe and Shaq era, there’s a delicate balance to strike. Furthermore, the producers will undoubtedly face the challenge of meeting the expectations of both die-hard fans and basketball legends alike.
Perhaps the show will find its rhythm and rise to the occasion, just like the team it seeks to immortalize.
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