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A second statue of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, depicted courtside with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was unveiled today in a private ceremony held outside Crypto.com Arena.

The statue is expected to be available for public viewing starting Saturday.

Kobe and Gianna Bryant died along with seven other people in a Calabasas, California, helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020.

The statue shows the pair sitting in courtside seats, as in the photo above that served as inspiration. Angel wings spread out behind the pair, who are encircled by purple and gold flowers. A gold plaque in front of them includes a quote from Kobe, saying, “Gianna is a beast. She’s better than I was at her age. She’s got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.”

The plaque refers to Kobe as “Most Valuable Girl Dad.

Jerry West, the Los Angeles Lakers legend as both a player and an executive who was later dubbed “the Logo” after he was immortalized on the NBA’s symbol, has died at the age of 86.

The Los Angeles Clippers, for whom West served as a consultant in recent years, announced the NBA legend’s death Wednesday in a statement, “Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side.

Well, this is a bit of a shocker.

HBO has confirmed the demise of the 1980s basketball drama Winning Time.

The series wrapped its sophomore run Sunday night and was canceled the same day as the finale.

Series showrunner Max Borenstein alluded to the cancellation with a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Not the ending that we had in mind. But nothing but gratitude and love," he wrote.

Fans commented their thoughts on the shocking decision below the Tweet.

"So sorry Max. I eagerly anticipated each episode and enjoyed the hell out of the series," said one fan, adding:

"Congratulations on making something so creatively successful as Winning Time."

"Everything I anticipated it could be and even better when you told me about it at that lunch way back when," said another fan. 

"Disappointed it couldn't at least get to Riley's promise of a repeat, but everything you did do was great.

Paul Westhead is feeling the pressure of his feud with Magic Johnson in an exclusive sneak peak of Sunday’s new episode of HBO’s “Winning Time.”

In the episode, titled “The Hamburger Hamlet”, a final clash between Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) and the Lakers head coach (played by Jason Segel) causes Lakers owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) to task Jerry West (Jason Clarke) with picking up the pieces. Meanwhile, as Honey (Ari Graynor) attempts a heart-to-heart with Jeanie (Hadley Robninson), Buss faces pushback from the press and his captain. Later, Pat Riley (Adrien Brody) faces his demons and takes control of his team.

The clip sees Westhead pay a visit to Buss’ office, where the former is told that the latter is in a meeting.

“With who?,” Westhead asks, to which Buss’ secretary replies, “I’m not at liberty to say.”

As Westhead turns to leave, another door swings open where Jerry West,...

(Los Angeles – June 14, 2023) — The Television Academy today named legendary broadcaster Stu Lantz as the recipient of the 75th Los Angeles Area Emmy® Governors Award, recognizing his 36-year career as a broadcast analyst for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The award is presented to an individual, company or organization, selected by the Los Angeles Area Governors Award committee, that has made an outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television as well as a substantial contribution to the greater Los Angeles area.

“For 36 seasons, Stu has served Los Angeles and Lakers fans across the globe with his vast knowledge, skill and passion for basketball,” said Frank Scherma, chair of

the Television Academy. “His long career in broadcasting is a testament to both his professionalism and immense popularity, and we are thrilled to recognize him for his contributions to our television community.”

For more than three decades, through...

The Television Academy today named broadcaster Stu Lantz as the recipient of the 75th Los Angeles Area Emmy Governors Award, recognizing his 36-year career as a broadcast analyst for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The award is presented to an individual, company or organization, selected by the Los Angeles Area Governors Award committee, that has made an outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television, as well as a substantial contribution to the greater Los Angeles area.

“For 36 seasons, Stu has served Los Angeles and Lakers fans across the globe with his vast knowledge, skill and passion for basketball,” said Frank Scherma, chair of the Television Academy. “His long career in broadcasting is a testament to both his professionalism and immense popularity, and we are thrilled to recognize him for his contributions to our television community.

Lantz has been a Lakers voicethrough eight championship runs, teaching...

Fear not, TV Fanatics, summer is shaping up to have a decent array of programming, all things considered.

HBO's original series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty returns this summer.

The premium cabler announced the hit drama will premiere the first of seven new episodes on Sunday, August 6, at 9:00 p.m.  Et/Pt.

After the success of Winning Time Season 1 in 2022, there are high hopes for the follow-up.

Will it continue to be criticized for historical inaccuracies? We don't know, but hey, we know certain things are manipulated from fiction to face, or else we wouldn't have so many projects based on true stories.

Winning Time Season 2 "continues to explore the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers," HBO teases.

"This season hones in on the period just after the Finals in 1980 through 1984, culminating in the first professional rematch of the era's greatest stars: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Season 2 of HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is set for tip-off on Sunday, Aug. 6 at 9/8c.

Watch a first teaser trailer above, and check out the Season 2 poster below.

More from TVLineFoundation: It's the Attack of the Clone in Full Season 2 Trailer -- WatchThe Idol: How Did Ratings Hold Up in Week 2? Plus, Premiere Now Outpacing Euphoria, White LotusSuccession Star Kieran Culkin Sees a Grim Future for Roman After the Series Finale: 'He's Very Much Alone'

The seven-episode second season will continue to explore the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers,...

Exclusive: Randall Park has been cast as a series regular and Spencer Garrett is set to recur opposite Uzo Aduba in Netflix’s Shondaland murder-mystery drama The Residence, from writer Paul William Davies.

Using Kate Andersen Brower’s book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House as a jumping off point, the eight-episode series is described as “a screwball whodunnit set in the upstairs, downstairs, and back stairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world’s most famous mansion.” Its premise: 132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective (Aduba). One disastrous State Dinner.

Park will play FBI Special Agent Edwin Park, and Garrett will recur as FBI Director Wally Glick.

In addition to Aduba, they join previously announced cast including Andre Braugher, Susan Kelechi Watson, Ken Marino, Jason Lee, Bronson Pinchot, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Edwina Findley, Molly Griggs, Al Mitchell, Dan Perrault and Mary Wiseman.

The Emmy landscape has changed drastically in the past two decades. Going in to the 54th Emmy Awards, which took place on Sept. 22, 2002, it was a broadcast network — NBC — that led the nominations with 47. Emmy powerhouse HBO came in second with 38. FX and VH1 earned their first nominations while the first major streaming series, Netflix’s “House of Cards,” was still 11 years away. Several of this year’s contenders for Emmy gold were either nominated or won 20 years ago.

Laura Linney, who has been nominated nine times and won four statuettes, is nominated this year for her lead role in the final season of Netflix’s “Ozark” and as co-executive producer of this drama series contender. Two decades ago, she won her first Emmy for her lead role in the Showtime telefilm “Wild Iris.”

HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm, which has been nominated 51 times and has won two Emmys, is...

Vin Scully, the radio and TV voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers for 67 years who in the process became synonymous with the city, died Tuesday, the Dodgers organization said. He was 94.

“We have lost an icon,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in the statement. “The Dodgers Vin Scully was one of the greatest voices in all of sports. He was a giant of a man, not only as a broadcaster, but as a humanitarian. He loved people. He loved life. He loved baseball and the Dodgers. And he loved his family. His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever. I know he was looking forward to joining the love of his life, Sandi. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this very difficult time. Vin will be truly missed.”

Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery

Scully got his...

In 1980, Texas homemaker Candy Montgomery was accused of murdering Betty Gore, the wife of the man she was involved with. It was a crime no one saw coming, and that was part of the reason Jessica Biel was drawn to play the role in Hulu’s limited series “Candy.”

Starring opposite Melanie Lynskey and Pablo Schreiber, Biel completely transformed — wig, glasses and all — into the character. She also worked double duty as an executive producer on the gory project.

On this edition of the “Variety Awards Circuit Podcast,” we talk to “Candy” star and executive producer Jessica Biel about adapting the real-life true crime story. After that, we chat with “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” star Adrien Brody about playing iconic Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley. Listen below!

Variety’s Emily Longeretta sat down with Biel to talk about starring and executive producing “Candy” and what...

HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty scored yet another series high with its freshman season finale on Sunday. The season ender, which featured tense moments from the ’79-’80 NBA finals, drew in 1.6 million total viewers across both HBO and HBO Max.

The finale was up 73 from the season premiere’s original viewership. The debut brought in approximately 900,000 viewers and has since grown to nearly 8 million. In linear viewing, the finale earned 534,000 viewers, more than double than that of the premiere.

Episodes are currently averaging 6 million viewers. Sunday’s also episode marked the seventh week of consecutive viewership growth for the sports series.

Winning Time‘s season finale featured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s ankle injury, Jerry Buss coping with his mother’s death, a contentious Rookie of The Year decision and more. Read Deadline’s full recap here. Series showrunner and executive producer Max Borenstein told Deadline where Winning Time,...

There are some rivalries so ingrained in sports history that their names roll off the tongue: Borg-McEnroe, Federer-Nadal, Sharapova-s. Williams, Ali vs. Frazier. When it comes to the NBA, no pair tops Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) and Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small), the rookies of their respective teams in the 1979-1980 season.

Up until Episode 7: “Invisible Man,” Bird’s presence in “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” has been limited to a couple seconds at a time. As 1979 draws to a close, it’s time for Johnson and Bird to pick up what they started at March’s NCAA championship game, where the former’s team Michigan State famously defeated the latter’s team, Indiana State.

However, the rivalry goes beyond these two individuals. From Lakers owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) and Celtics general manager Red Auerbach’s (Michael Chiklis’) contentious first meeting, their teams have...

A review of this week’s Winning Time, “The Good Life,” coming up just as soon as we attend the premiere of The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh…

Midway through “The Good Life,” Magic Johnson joins the rest of the Lakers for the world premiere of The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, a 1979 basketball comedy which features several of his new teammates in small roles. Before we can talk more about this episode, we must first discuss a few things about one of the most infamous sports movies ever made:

1) The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh...

“I’ve been around the NBA now 25 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen both teams come out with their home [white] uniforms on,” said a stunned Brevin Knight at the opening of the Bally Sports broadcast of the Thunder-Grizzlies game tonight. Given Knight played with nine teams over 12 years in the NBA, that’s saying something.

As both teams stood at mid-court looking at each other and around for someone to resolve the situation, Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant got a laugh out of the dilemma.

Eventually, the referees determined that the Grizzlies, as visitors in Okc, would have to go back to the locker room and change their uniforms.

“Just when you thought you had seen everything,” said Knight’s broadcast partner Pete Pranica.

Okc came out wearing white jerseys.

Memphis came out wearing white jerseys.

…only one team can wear white jerseys. (...

HBO ushered viewers back to the starting days of the Los Angeles Lakers with new series Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty making its premiere on Sunday. The series from co-creators Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht debuted to just shy of 1 million viewers.

Per HBO, the series opened to approximately 900,000 viewers across linear viewing and HBO Max streaming. Winning Time filled the 9 p.m. Sunday slot previously belonging to Euphoria. To compare the dramas, Euphoria made its series premiere in June 2019 to 577,00 linear viewers and boosted up to 1 million viewers with viewing on HBO Go/Now, before HBO Max launched. The Euphoria season 2 premiere broke records for HBO and HBO Max with 2.4 million total viewers.

Winning Time is a ten-episode series about the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined an era, both on and off the court.

“The Shield” alum Michael Chiklis is playing legendary NBA Boston Celtics coach-turned-general manager Red Auerbach in HBO’s new series “Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty,” and TheWrap has an exclusive look at the actor in character.

In the new pic, Chiklis, as Auerbach, is seated at a table during what looks like the NBA draft.

“Red Auerbach was one of a kind,” Chiklis said in a statement to TheWrap. “A larger than life character and competitor. In a word…iconic. What a blast to slip into his jacket for a while as an actor and a guy from the Boston area.”

Here’s a description of Chiklis’ character, per HBO: As the coach of the Celtics, Red Auerbach won nine NBA championships. As general manager, he won seven more. When the Lakers’ rise threatens his Boston dynasty, Auerbach proves himself to be the basketball genius and cut-throat...

The Showtime Lakers will take center stage in HBO’s upcoming series Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty, but that’s the extent of their involvement. During the series’ Ctam session on Tuesday series co-creator Max Borenstein addressed reports about the lack of cooperation from the Lakers themselves and the Buss family.

“We made this show as fans with a tremendous amount of respect and love for all these characters of the NBA and Lakers and I think it hopefully shows on screen. I can only imagine how strange it must be to have a movie made about your life, or show made about any aspect fo your life so I never presume what people will or won’t do but on our end this was made with great love and appreciation.”

“A deep appreciation,” echoed executive producer Rodney.

Set to debut Sunday, March 6 Winning Time is a...

“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” directed by Adam McKay, is the new ten-episode drama series streaming March 4, 2022 on HBO Max:

“…the new series follows the professional and personal lives of the 1980’s ‘Los Angeles Lakers’, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined an era, both on and off the court…”

Cast includes John C. Reilly as ‘Jerry Buss’, Quincy Isaiah as ‘Magic Johnson’, Jason Clarke as ‘Jerry West’, Adrien Brody as ‘Pat Riley’, Gaby Hoffmann as ‘Claire Rothman’, Tracy Letts as ‘Jack McKinney’, Jason Segel as ‘Paul Westhead’, Julianne Nicholson as ‘Cranny McKinney’, Hadley Robinson as ‘Jeanie Buss’, DeVaughn Nixon as ‘Norm Nixon’, Solomon Hughes as ‘Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’, Tamera Tomakili as ‘Cookie Kelly’, Brett Cullen as ‘Bill Sharman’, Stephen Adly Guirgis as ‘Frank Mariani’, Spencer Garrett as ‘Chick Hearn’, Sarah Ramos as ‘Cheryl Pistono’, Molly Gordon as ‘Linda Zafrani’, Joey Brooks as...

It’s about to be the Magic hour.

Adam McKay’s new HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” details the transformation of the Los Angeles Lakers under former owner Jerry Buss, played by John C. Reilly.

Based on the book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s,” the series follows the personal and professional lives of NBA legends Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes).

Both billed as newcomers, Isaiah and Hughes immediately wow in the trailer for the origin story set in the 1980s.

Sean Patrick Small stars as Celtics standout Larry Bird, Jason Clarke is Jerry West, Michael Chiklis plays executive Red Auerbach, Spencer Garrett is legendary Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn, Delante Desouza stars as Michael Cooper, Olli Haaskivi portrays Nike co-founder Phil Knightand, and Kirk Bovill is former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

HBO has released the first teaser trailer for Adam McKay’s forthcoming Lakers scripted series, fresh with an official new title: “Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty.” Previously titled “Showtime” for the powerhouse team’s “showtime era,” during which they won five championships, the new title doesn’t pack quite the same punch but is perhaps less confusing considering it’s an HBO show. McKay is fresh on viewers’ minds right now as his star-studded satire “Don’t Look Up” hits theaters December 10 and Netflix December 24. Whether that momentum will propel him through a fruitful awards season is yet to be seen.

The teaser trailer offers an exciting look at the period sports drama, complete with a nostalgic 1980s palette and fashion sense. It also features newly revealed cast members Gaby Hoffmann, Jason Segel, Adrien Brody, Tamera Tomakili, Julianne Nicholson, Tracy Letts, and Rob Morgan. They join previously announced...

The untitled HBO series about the Los Angeles Lakers has added five to its cast, with Bo Burnham also exiting the series.

It was reported in March that Burnham had been cast in the role of Celtics legend Larry Bird. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Burnham is no longer involved with the project due to scheduling conflicts.

Sean Patrick Small will instead play Bird. Bird is described as a basketball star who hates the spotlight; preferring instead: Budweiser, ratty jeans, and brutally, ruthlessly destroying his opponents on the court. He and Magic Johnson, who have been pitted against one another since their legendary NCAA championship duel, continue their rivalry for the next decade.

Additional castings include: Olli Haaskivi as Phil Knight, the founder of Nike; Rachel Hilson as Cindy Day, the girlfriend of Magic Johnson; Newton Mayenge as Jim Chones, a veteran NBA forward; and Jon Young as Brad Holland,...

Adam McKay’s upcoming (and still untitled) series about the 1980s-era Los Angeles Lakers has added two more key characters to its expansive roster: Larry Bird and Nike founder Phil Knight.

Sean Patrick Small will star as Bird, the Boston Celtics legend, whose memorable rivalry with Magic Johnson defined the NBA during that decade. Olli Haaskivi will play Knight, who co-founded Nike with Bill Bowerman in 1964, back when it was known as “Blue Ribbon Sports.”

Additional new castmembers announced Friday include Rachel Hilson as Cindy Day, a girlfriend of Magic Johnson, Newton Mayenge as veteran NBA forward Jim Chones and Jon Young as Lakers’ player Brad “Potsie” Holland.

Bo Burhnam had been in consideration for the role, but an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap that the actor-director was not able to be involved due to scheduling conflicts.

Based on the Jeff Pearlman book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley,...

Exclusive: Adam McKay’s HBO L.A. Lakers drama series is rounding out its cast. Mike Epps (The Upshaws), Carina Conti (The Last Tycoon), Max E. Williams (Dreamland) and Mariama Diallo (Random Acts of Flyness) will recur in the series based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

Epps plays Richard Pryor, the prolific and boundary-breaking comedian who lived the Hollywood dream, sometimes in excess.

Conti portrays Paula Abdul. Before she was a decade-defining pop star, Paula Abdul was just a high school student from the San Fernando Valley, moonlighting as the innovative choreographer for the Laker Girls.

Rory Cochrane (White Boy Rick), Danny Burstein (Evil), Austin Aaron (13 Reasons Why), Ta’Nika Gibson (Iron Fist), Edwin Hodge (Mayans Mc), Terence Davis (Twenties) and Ja’Quan Cole (Wu Tang: An American Saga) have joined the cast of Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

Cochrane will play Jerry Tarkanian. The blustery, colorful, infamous coach of the Unlv Runnin’ Rebels, Jerry Tarkanian has a reputation for winning at all costs. Even if it means not necessarily playing by the rules.

Burstein is Vic Weiss, the manager and childhood best friend of Jerry Tarkanian.

Gillian Jacobs (Community) and The Wire alum Wood Harris have joined the cast of Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by showrunner Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

Jacobs will play Chris Riley, wife of former Lakers head coach Pat Riley. Her husband Pat might be the one wearing the whistle, but Chris Riley is the one with a plan. Therapist by trade, Chris Riley uses her emotional expertise and strategic genius to shape the Lakers into champions.

Wood Harris plays Spencer Haywood. In 1970, Spencer Haywood took the NBA to the Supreme Court,...

Gillian Jacobs and Wood Harris have both joined HBO’s upcoming drama series about the Los Angeles Lakers, Variety has learned.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

Jacobs will appear as Chris Riley. Her husband Pat (Adrien Brody) might be the one wearing the whistle, but Chris Riley is the one with a plan. Therapist by trade, Chris Riley uses her emotional expertise and strategic genius to shape the Lakers into champions.

Harris will appear as Spencer Haywood. In 1970, Spencer Haywood took the NBA to the Supreme Court, winning the right to join the league before graduating college, therefore paving the way for future greats like Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. But the groundbreaking...

Exclusive: Tracy Letts Julianne Nicholson (Mare of Easttown), Jimel Atkins (David Makes Man), LisaGay Hamilton (To Kill A Mockingbird) and Andy Hirsch (Fort McCoy) have joined the cast of Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

Letts will play Jack McKinney. The unsung hero behind Showtime basketball, Jack McKinney is the original architect of the Lakers’ fast paced running game. Despite having no NBA head coaching experience, McKinney must find a way to translate his groundbreaking vision and unify his new team.

Exclusive: Brett Cullen (The Joker) will play former NBA star and Lakers head coach Bill Sharman, and Lola Kirke (Mozart in the Jungle) will portray Jerry West’s wife Karen in Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

Cullen’s Bill Sharman is the ultimate renaissance man: a collegiate basketball champion and four-time NBA champion, with a short stint as a Major League Baseball player, a career as one of the most influential NBA coaches of all time, and a third career as legendary Gm of the Lakers.

Sarah Ramos (Parenthood) has been tapped to play Cheryl Pistono, the girlfriend of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

In contrast to her boyfriend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s public persona, Ramos’ Cheryl Pistono is warm and outgoing. She uses her emotional intelligence to encourage Kareem to be himself, and together they weather the highs and lows of a life in basketball.

Ramos joins previously announced cast Jason Segel as Paul Westhead, Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach, Sally Field as Jessie Buss, Adrien Brody as Pat Riley,...

Jason Segel has been tapped to play Paul Westhead in Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

Segel’s Paul Westhead, a Shakespeare professor, leaves grading papers behind to be assistant coach of the Lakers. In Los Angeles, Westhead steps into a drama straight off the Bard’s page (of which he is fond of quoting).

Segel joins the previously announced cast Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach, Sally Field as Jessie Buss, Adrien Brody as Pat Riley, John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss, Jason Clarke as Jerry West,...

Jason Segel has joined HBO’s still-untitled series about the 1980s L.A. Lakers. Segel will play Paul Westhead, head coach from 1979-1981, who oversaw the Lakers’ 1980 NBA championship win that kicked off the “Showtime” era.

Per the official description, Segel’s Westhead will be portrayed as “a Shakespeare professor” who “leaves grading papers behind to be assistant coach of the Lakers. In Los Angeles, Westhead steps into a drama straight off the Bard’s page (of which he is fond of quoting).”

Having coached college basketball in the 1960s and ’70s, Westhead was hired as assistant coach at the Lakers under Jack McKinney in 1979. He was named interim head coach after McKinney was injured in a bicycle accident, ultimately coaching the Lakers to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at the 1980 NBA finals. Unfortunately, the Lakers were defeated during the 1981 playoffs, and Westhead was subsequently fired early in the third...

Jason Segel has been cast as Paul Westhead in the HBO series about the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

Westhead is described as a Shakespeare professor who leaves grading papers behind to be assistant coach of the Lakers. In Los Angeles, Westhead steps into a drama straight off the Bard’s page (of which he is fond of quoting).

Segel is the second casting announced for the series on Thursday, with Variety previously reporting that Bo Burnham has been cast in the role of Celtics star Larry Bird.

Segel is primarily known for his comedy roles, having starred in the hit sitcom “How I Met Your Mother...

Bo Burnham has been cast as Boston Celtics star Larry Bird in HBO’s upcoming series about the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

Bird is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time. Having played his entire professional career for the Celtics, he helped lead the team to three NBA Championships. His time with the team included a legendary rivalry with the Lakers.

HBO declined to comment.

Burnham got his start as a viral sensation on YouTube before transitioning into stand up comedy and acting. He has released five comedy albums to date, with the most recent being “what” in 2013. He has appeared...

Bo Burnham (Eighth Grade) has been tapped to play Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird in Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, Deadline has learned. HBO declined comment.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

The Lakers and the Celtics’ rivalry helped define the NBA in the 1980s with their games attracting huge TV audiences, and Bird played a major part in that.

Burnham joins a cast that includes Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach, Sally Field as Jessie Buss, Adrien Brody as Pat Riley, John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss, Jason Clarke as Jerry West, Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson,...

Michael Chiklis is joining HBO’s untitled series about the 1980s-era L.A. Lakers. Chiklis will play Red Auerbach, the legendary coach and front office executive for the Lakers’ bitter rival, the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics and the Lakers are one of the NBA’s most storied rivalries, meeting 12 times in the NBA Finals, including three in the 1980s. Those three matchups featured Magic Johnson versus Larry Bird.

Auerbach coached the Celtics for 16 seasons from 1950-1966, leading the team to nine championships. In the era the HBO series depicts, Auerbach is a front office executive. Here’s how HBO describes his role: “When the Lakers’ rise threatens his Boston dynasty, Auerbach proves himself to be the basketball genius and cut-throat competitor of every Laker fan’s nightmares.”

Based on the Jeff Pearlman book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s,” the untitled show will...

Michael Chiklis has been tapped to star as legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach in Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.

As coach of the Celtics, Auerbach won nine NBA championships. As general manager, he won seven more. When the Lakers’ rise threatens his Boston dynasty, Auerbach proves himself to be the basketball genius and cut-throat competitor of every Laker fan’s nightmares.

Chiklis joins a cast that includes Sally Field as Jessie Buss, Adrien Brody as Pat Riley, John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss,...

Michael Chiklis will play Red Auerbach in HBO’s upcoming scripted series about the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

As the coach of the Celtics, Auerbach won 9 NBA championships. As general manager, he won 7 more. In the series, when the Lakers’ rise threatens his Boston dynasty, Auerbach proves himself to be the basketball genius and cut-throat competitor of every Laker fan’s nightmares.

Chiklis is best known for his starring role in the early FX cop drama “The Shield,” which earned him both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award. He also previously starred in the ABC drama series “The Commish,” Fox’s “Gotham,” and Season 4 of “American Horror Story.

Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field has been tapped to star as Jessie Buss in Adam McKay’s Los Angeles Lakers HBO drama series, based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, The Untitled Lakers Project is a fast-break series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era, both on and off the court.

Field’s Jessie Buss is the mother of Hall of Famer Jerry Buss, played by John C. Reilly. As a young single mother, Jessie Buss instilled in her son Jerry a love of math, money, and good times. Decades later, her son is a successful businessman – but he turns to her as a trusted advisor and bookkeeper.

In addition to Reilly,...

Sally Field will be taking the court for HBO’s scripted series about the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

Field will star as Jessie Buss, mother of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who will be played by John C. Reilly. As a young single mother, Jessie instilled in her son a love of math, money, and good times. Decades later, her son is a successful businessman – but he turns to her as a trusted advisor and bookkeeper.

Field is no stranger to television, having gotten her start on shows like “Gidget” and “The Flying Nun.” She most recently starred in the shows “Dispatches from Elsewhere” and “Maniac.” She is a three-time Emmy winner,...

The cast for HBO’s upcoming drama series about the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers NBA team is coming together.

Variety reported on Tuesday that Adrien Brody, who starred in films such “The Pianist,” “The Thin Red Line,” and “The Village,” will portray legendary Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley in the upcoming show.

Brody is among several high-profile talents who will appear in the series. Others include Jason Clarke as Jerry West, a 14-time NBA All-Star, John C. Reilly (“Step Brothers”) as Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Quincy Isaiah as point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Solomon Hughes as center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Molly Gordon as Linda Zafrani, DeVaughn Nixon as point guard Norm Nixon (DeVaugn is Norm’s son), Rob Morgan as Earvin Johnson Sr., Spencer Garrett as announcer Chick Hearn, Kirk Bovill as former owner Donald Sterling, and Delante Desouza as shooting guard Michael Cooper.

HBO’s untitled Lakers series was...

HBO has cast Adrien Brody as Pat Riley for its series on the 1980s Los Angles Lakers. Riley led the Lakers to four NBA titles as the head coach during that era.

Based on the Jeff Pearlman book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s,” the untitled show will dramatize the professional and personal lives of the team, described in the series logline as “one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era, both on and off the court.”

Adam McKay is director and executive producer on the series, which is written by Max Borenstein. Jim Hecht, Jason Shuman and Kevin Messick of McKay’s production company also executive produce alongside Scott Stephens and co-ep Rodney Barnes.

Jason Clarke stars as Jerry West, the “cantankerous tortured genius of basketball” and one-time Lakers general manager. John C. Reilly will play former Lakers owner Jerry Buss,...

Adrien Brody will play legendary basketball coach Pat Riley in HBO’s upcoming drama series about the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, Variety has learned.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

Riley led the Lakers to four NBA championships and unprecedented superstardom. His iconic style, confidence, and fast-break offense defined 80’s basketball and influenced pop culture at large.

Brody won the Academy Award for best actor for his starring role in “The Pianist.” He will be seen in Wes Anderson’s new film, “The French Dispatch,” Netflix’s “Blonde,” and the TV series “Chapelwaite” for Epix. He recently co-wrote, scored, produced, and starred in the action film “Clean.” He is currently filming an...

A major question about Adam McKay’s untitled Lakers series for HBO — who will play Pat Riley — has been answered. Oscar winner Adrien Brody has been tapped to star as the former Los Angeles Lakers head coach in the drama series based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.

Written by Max Borenstein, the Untitled Lakers Project is a fast-break series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era, both on and off the court.

Brody’s Pat Riley, head coach of the Showtime era, led the Lakers to four NBA championships – and unprecedented superstardom. His iconic style, confidence and fast-break offense defined ’80s basketball and influenced pop culture at large.

Brody joins a cast that includes...

Udpated, 2 Pm: The Los Angeles Clippers are now official owners of the Forum. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer closed a deal Monday to purchase the Forum from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.

The close of escrow comes six weeks after Ballmer-backed Capss LLC announced it had agreed to pay $400 million for the arena. The deal also settles Msg’s long-running lawsuit that aimed to block the Clippers planned $1 billion arena to be built on Century Boulevard, just blocks from the Forum.

Newly-created Forum Entertainment LLC will operate the Forum as a premier, live event venue with the existing leadership team of Geni Lincoln and Mike Fallon remaining in place, reporting to Gillian Zucker, Clippers President of Business Operations.

“We are excited to welcome The Forum to our family. The talented team at The Forum has created a world-class live entertainment venue, and we are committed to building upon that reputation,” said Zucker.

HBO has given out a series order to the untitled one-hour drama about the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s.

The project had originally been ordered to pilot at the premium cabler back in April. The show is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties.

The show stars: John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss, Jason Clarke as Jerry West, Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson, Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Gaby Hoffmann as Claire Rothman, Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss, DeVaughn Nixon as Norm Nixon, Molly Gordon as Linda Zafrani, Rob Morgan as Earvin Johnson Sr., Spencer Garrett as Chick Hearn, Kirk Bovill as Donald Sterling, Delante Desouza as Michael Cooper, Stephen Adly Guirgis as Frank Mariani, Tamera Tomakili as Earletha ‘Cookie’ Kelly, and Joey Brooks as Lon Rosen.

The show is based on Jeff Pearlman’s non-fiction book “Showtime: Magic,...

HBO has given a series order to The Untitled Lakers Project, a one-hour limited series drama based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, produced by Oscar winner Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries. The project marks the first limited series under Hyperobject Industries’ recently announced five-year, first-look television deal with HBO, to develop content for both HBO and HBO Max.

Written by Max Borenstein (Godzilla), based on Pearlman’s book, The Untitled Lakers Project is a fast-break series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties—a team that defined its era, both on and off the court.

Cast includes John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss; Jason Clarke as Jerry West; Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson; Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Gaby Hoffmann as Claire Rothman; Hadley Robinson...

HBO has ordered Adam McKay’s drama about the 1980s “Showtime” era Los Angeles Lakers to series.

Based on the Jeff Pearlman book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s,” the untitled show will dramatize the professional and personal lives of the 1980s team, described in the series logline as “one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties-a team that defined its era, both on and off the court.”

Jason Clarke stars as Jerry West, the “cantankerous tortured genius of basketball” and one-time Lakers general manager. John C. Reilly will play former Lakers owner Jerry Buss, with Quincy Isaiah and Solomon Hughes as former Lakers legends Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, respectively.

Also Read: HBO's 1980s Lakers Pilot Casts Its Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Additional cast includes Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss, the daughter of Jerry and the current Lakers owner, Spencer Garrett...

Exclusive: In the last major characters cast for the CBS Studios miniseries based on the James Comey bestseller A Higher Loyalty, Damon Gupton will play Jeh Johnson, the former Secretary of Homeland Security; Joe Lo Truglio will play Jeff Sessions, the former Us Attorney General; Michael Hyatt is playing former Us Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Spencer Garrett is playing Bill Sweeney, the assistant director in charge of the New York FBI field office who was tasked with reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.

“Johnson, Sessions, Lynch and Sweeney are real people who played real roles in this story. It’s huge to have such strong actors playing them,” said Billy Ray, who is right now directing the mini, and who scripted the adaptation based on Comey’s book.

They join Jeff Daniels (Comey), Brendan Gleeson (Donald Trump), Holly Hunter (Acting Attorney General Sally Yates), Michael Kelly (Acting...