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HBO Stands Behind “Winning Time” Despite Jerry West’s Threats To Go To Supreme Court

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Los Angeles Clippers special consultant Jerry West looks on before a NBA game between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 20, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

Since HBO shocked the popular show “Winning Time” about the Lakers dynasty in the 1980s, several members of the team have lashed out.

Joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, former Lakers coach Jerry West is also pissed off about being depicted as a hot head in the show. So much so, that he’s willing to go to the Supreme Court if HBO doesn’t post a detraction.

“The series made us all [the Lakers] look like cartoon characters,” West told The Times. “They belittled something good. If I have to, I will take this all the way to the Supreme Court.”

In response to Jerry West’s bold threats, HBO released a statement to stand by their series.

“HBO has a long history of producing compelling content drawn from actual facts and events that are fictionalized in part for dramatic purposes,” the network said in its statement. “‘Winning Time’ is not a documentary and has not been presented as such. However, the series and its depictions are based on extensive factual research and reliable sourcing, and HBO stands resolutely behind our talented creators and cast who have brought a dramatization of this epic chapter in basketball history to the screen.”

In HBO’s defense, it’s impossible not to watch the show without realizing that some of the events are made up to add some entertainment value.

And as someone who watches the show, it’s kind of hard to see what Jerry West is so upset about. Sure, he’s depicted as a short-tempered man, but his passion for Lakers basketball is clear throughout the season.

At the end of the day, it’s really hard to believe the Supreme Court will entertain a case about “Winning Time”.


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