NBA icon and Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West is declaring the depiction of his character in HBO’s “Profitable Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” to be “merciless” and “intentionally false,” and is demanding a retraction inside two weeks from in the present day.
“The portrayal of…West…is fiction pretending to be reality — a intentionally false characterization that has brought on nice misery to Jerry and his household,” Skip Miller, West’s lawyer, stated in an announcement. “Opposite to the baseless portrayal within the HBO collection, Jerry had nothing however love for and concord with the Lakers group, and specifically proprietor Dr. Jerry Buss, throughout an period wherein he assembled one of many best groups in NBA historical past.”
The docuseries, which premiered in March, exhibits how the Nineteen Eighties Los Angeles Lakers, with the assistance of rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson and veteran Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, created the workforce’s “Showtime” period, realizing Buss’ revolutionary imaginative and prescient of blending muscular athleticism with noisy, attractive leisure.
Within the collection, West, as performed by Australian actor Jason Clarke, is a hot-tempered, foul-mouthed govt given to livid tantrums and temper swings.
In a letter despatched to HBO, Warner Bros., Discovery, and govt producer Adam McKay, who directed the present’s pilot, West’s attorneys stated “Profitable Time” “falsely and cruelly portrays Mr. West as an out-of-control, intoxicated rage-aholic. The Jerry West in ‘Profitable Time’ bears no resemblance to the actual man. The true Jerry West prided himself on treating folks with dignity and respect. ‘Profitable Time’ is a baseless and malicious assault on Jerry West’s character. You diminished the legacy of an 83-year outdated legend and position mannequin to that of a vulgar and unprofessional bully — the polar reverse of the actual man.”
The letter additionally declares that the collection has broken the “Showtime” legacy of the Lakers.
“For the gamers, coaches and the complete Lakers group this was a magical and superb time; they usually, together with Jerry West, loved it and received alongside nice with each other,” stated the letter. “This actuality is straight opposite to the portrayals in your present.
“Sadly, your false portrayal of the Lakers in your present has brought on hurt to the fame of the Lakers group and its folks. Among the people portrayed have handed away and are unable to defend themselves. For others, it has tarnished their reputations and proven them in a dangerous false gentle…You took a contented and tremendous profitable Lakers period and turned it right into a pulpy cleaning soap opera. You depicted the folks in a false gentle, by no means who they’re, to garner scores and earn a living.”
The letter additionally incorporates testimonials from former Lakers Michael Cooper and Jamaal Wilkes, former Lakers basic supervisor Mitch Kupchak, the present president of the Charlotte Hornets, and others who discovered the characterization of Jerry to be “egregious and merciless,” stated Miller.
The letter comes on the heels of a blistering essay by Abdul-Jabbar, who referred to as “Profitable Time” “boring” and “intentionally dishonest.”
“The characters are crude stick-figure representations that resemble actual folks the way in which Lego Hans Solo resembles Harrison Ford,” wrote Abdul-Jabbar. “Every character is diminished to a single daring trait as if the writers had been afraid something extra complicated would tax the viewers’ comprehension. Jerry Buss is Egomaniac Entrepreneur, Jerry West is Crazed Coach, Magic Johnson is Sexual Simpleton, I’m Pompous P—. They’re caricatures, not characters.”
Added Abdul-Jabbar: “It’s a disgrace the way in which they deal with Jerry West, who has brazenly mentioned his wrestle with psychological well being, particularly melancholy. As a substitute of exploring his points with compassion as a option to higher perceive the person, they flip him right into a Wile E. Coyote cartoon to be laughed at. He by no means broke golf golf equipment, he didn’t throw his trophy by the window. Certain, these actions make dramatic moments, however they reek of facile exploitation of the person slightly than exploration of character.”
McKay and the present’s different producers have stated that the collection was extensively researched, and that the challenge was developed out of admiration and love for the Lakers.
The Instances has reached out to HBO and West for remark and can replace this story accordingly.
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.
