Winning Time Foreshadows Donald Sterling’s NBA Controversy
The Donald Sterling NBA controversy has already been foreshadowed in HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty episode 1. The series mainly focuses on the Los Angeles Lakers taking on a new culture under owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) during the 1980s, as the franchise's future is changed by drafting Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, played by Quincy Isaiah. Although this becomes a very successful era for the Lakers, Winning Time isn't shying away from highlighting some of the controversies that arise in the future.
After kicking off Winning Time episode 1 with a flash-forward to Magic's doctor's appointment in 1991 where he found out he had HIV, the show introduces many prominent figures in NBA history. These range from Los Angeles Lakers stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Norm Nixon to rival players in Larry Bird and NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien. There is no shortage of NBA stardom included in Winning Time episode 1, but not all of the individuals have great legacies with the league. The show has already featured future Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and his appearance foreshadows one of the NBA's biggest controversies.
Related: Winning Time: Why The Lakers Couldn’t Draft Larry Bird In 1979
Donald Sterling's role in Winning Time episode 1 is very small, as he only appears during a scene where Jerry Buss attends a party. In just a few scenes, though, the show doesn't waste time foreshadowing his bad reputation. His introduction card calls him the second-worst «Donald» of the 80s, and he awkwardly squeezes Magic's muscles upon meeting him. Sterling's interest in owning an NBA team is also made known, although Buss says he's too cheap to ever actually buy one. All of these moments in Winning Timeepisode
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