As fans of “Time To Win: The Rise of a Lakers Dynasty” will soon discover, the new HBO Max series is much more than you’ll ever see on a basketball court. Co-created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht and executive produced by Oscar winner Adam McKay, the series tells the stories of several key players off the court during the 1980s Showtime Lakers domination of the NBA.
In “Winning Time,” John C. Reilly stars as Dr. Jerry Buss, an innovative investor who wants to turn the Lakers and Los Angeles Forum into an entertainment venue with all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood is known for. After Buss bought the team in 1979 and made Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) the NBA’s No. 1 overall pick, he relied on a tight inner circle to realize his vision — including his The mom of Slash accountant Jessie Buss (Sally Field); his enterprising daughter, Jenny Buss (Hadley Robinson); and the Forum’s executive director, Claire Rothman (Gaby Hoffmann).
While the work of Rothman and Jeanie Buss — the latter eventually rising to Lakers president — is well-documented, the same cannot be said for Jesse Buss. As a result, Field was given more creative space to interpret her character, and true to the ethos of the Bass family, she was rather flamboyant in “Winning Time.”
Of course, Sally Field’s resume spans a variety of genres, including drama, with two Oscar-winning roles in “Norma Rae” and “A Place in Your Heart,” and even as May in “The Amazing Spider-Man.” Aunty’s Into the Superhero Realm” movie. With “Winning Time,” the series lets Field showcase her comedic talents as the eccentric Jessie Buss, giving her a chance to deliver some of the show’s hilarious lines.
“The whole series, its whole tone, is funny because it has a lot of drama, a lot of flesh, and a lot of humor — and dark humor,” Field Looper said in an exclusive interview. “That’s what makes Adam McKay so good… We had to invent a lot of Jesse because when we tried to think about who she might be, there wasn’t a lot of actual information about her. I’m really in the attic The mad woman, they locked me up and I couldn’t see anyone else. Luckily Hadley came in as Jenny and visited me and Jerry, John C. [Riley] came to visit me, it was a pleasure Having those, and having the relationships we’ve built with them, we’re assuming they’re actually them.”
Field Brings Authentic Showtime Lakers Experience to ‘Winning Time’
Of course, “The Time of Victory” wouldn’t exist without the portrayal of show business legends like Jack Nicholson (Max E. Williams), who has played Lakers home games for decades regulars. Field herself participated in many races during the Showtime Lakers era and beyond, an event that provided more than just entertainment for her family.
“I took my two oldest sons when they were little boys, about eight and ten years old. That was my communication,” recalls Field. “I’m a single mom. I need to do something with my kids so they don’t procrastinate, ‘oh’. It’s true, we’re huge Lakers fans. I was there. I watched Kareem and the Magic. I even saw my youngest son get involved when I saw a young Kobe on the court. Being with the kids is such a big moment in my parenting experience.”
Every Sunday through May 8, HBO Max will air a new episode of “Winning Time.”
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