How Mad Should Jerry West Be About His Unflattering ‘Winning Time’ Portrayal? | The Rich Eisen Show

[@nastee10]

The more I think about West's portrayal in that first episode the less I see it in a completely negative light. He comes across to me as an extremely competitive guy who was determined to not repeat the disappointments of his playing career. Him not wanting to draft Magic, I hindsight seems insane. But his position was actually based in logic. They already had an all star point guard, they needed more scoring and, at that time , the idea of a 6'10" point guard was crazy.

[@stantheman9072]

Fair enough point, but they should still have gotten his personality right instead of injecting fictional sins, quirks and faults. The Magic Johnson draft situation is very similar to why Portland chose Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. In hindsight it looks like insanity, but at the time and with the specific circumstances of what the Trailblazers needed and Jordan taking an early exit from UNC, it made good sense.

[@rupertpupkin2660]

Who really knew who Jerry West was in the 70s./80s I actually love his character.

[@LaughingJokerProd]

Hearing about what happened in West’s past actually makes the portrayl make more sense. Abused at home, so close to winning but never quite getting it. He loved Basketball but could never get close to the top goal.

[@mjjumps]

I agree with you

[@calebwebster3575]

@@stantheman9072 they had Clyde Drexler anyways so picking MJ don’t make sense especially at the time

[@nickfrankie261]

Jerry West helped build the Lakers, then got Grizzlies in the playoffs, helped build Title Run Warriors, and now Clips. The man is a stud.

[@2nvsolo451]

The lakers should hire him back

[@stevenzemaitis1513]

@@2nvsolo451 the buss family completely burned the bridge to Jerry. He has stated that there is no chance at all of repairing it

[@2nvsolo451]

@@stevenzemaitis1513 when? He was there for the kobe years

[@NSmith-hh1ys]

Greatest GM in sports history

[@Amick44]

@@stevenzemaitis1513 and you can't blame him. Not at all.

[@ryansproviero]

Jerry says himself that he was battling depression and dealing with a lot in his life at that time. My guess is it's closer to the truth than not. Doesn't change that he's the greatest GM of all time.

[@shanehowell8169]

Jerry West the coach was stressed out. He could not will these guys in the late 70's to have his fire. And, yes, best GM ever. Genius.

[@abrahameftekhari2910]

Facts

[@sunnyside9273]

Its completely different skill sets to teach young guys daily, nurture, motivate, discipline , deal with personal issues etc. Than to strategize from a distance guys skillsets , talents, & potential chemistry. Jerry West is up there with when its comes to personnel decisions, no doubt. But guys who did it from both the bench & the front office. Its Red & Pat Riley.

[@ryansproviero]

@@sunnyside9273 Well this Heat fan won't disagree...In Pat I Trust ;-)

[@dwgwnr1969]

Not the best gm..Brad stevens..lol..

[@markbeaver5010]

Jerry West built the Laker Dynasty in the 80's, he was also one of the greatest Guards in NBA History and that is the truth and History period.

[@cesartrujillo8813]

I agree. To me So far Im not seen anything wrong with the series. I like it and I do mot see anything wrong. My only surprise so far is chick. He had a bigger role with the lakers then I thought. He was a heavy guy in the organization

[@mikeoley13]

Not weird In goodfellas and it’s not weird in winning time. It’s a stylistic choice and it speeds up the storytelling process.

[@mrwitwer81]

I love the breaking of the 4th wall and how it’s used in this series.

[@taylorb7191]

No

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

@@taylorb7191 YES

[@rynolascavio3381]

reminds me of Malcom in The Middle.

[@TheLmoney420]

People need to understand this is supposed to be “Jerry West” circa 1980, not the Greatest GM of our time - a bonafide Winner! This was the perennial runner-up, always the bridesmaid Jerry West. So yeah the portrayal is bound to be a lot different from the man we know through the media the past 10-20 years. This was 40 years ago!

[@dipper5835]

Well the whole thing is dramatized by alot

[@nysockexchange2204]

Thank you for this. Yes people change and mature quite a bit over 4 decades! I've heard that since Jerry internalized his feelings HBO had no other way to accurately portray the man without using creative license. For instance there is no record of him using his MVP trophy as an office "wrecking ball." However this is how Jerry was feeling at the time according to his own biography.

[@TheLmoney420]

@@nysockexchange2204 Facts! I think the producers have done a fantastic job with everyone’s portrayal so far. Love the show, I was born in the late 70’s and grew up in the 80’s watching all this unfold as a die hard Pistons fan (everyone also watched LA cause in Michigan that was like the 2nd team cause of Magic) so it really brings me back to my childhood.

[@hbdragon88]

@@nysockexchange2204 that's not even the most egregious bit - it's that West's office in the Forum didn't even have any windows at all. I think it's a bit out there to presume that West internalizing feelings made it impossible to accurately portray him. There's archival footage and you can talk to people who knew him. Many of his associates (at least what has been reported) think West in Winning Time is beyond cartoonish, well beyond the typical dramatic license. Bill Plaschke had a recent column and this paragraph seems to sum it up well: "It’s interesting to note that most of these former Lakers personalities probably wanted to demand their own apology and retraction for the fictionalized way they were portrayed, but they instead threw their collective support behind West."

[@EmraldoDaSilva]

Jerry West is the best thing about the show! 😂

[@Hanover-ek4jy]

Except he is nothing like the portrayal in the show!

[@EmraldoDaSilva]

@@Hanover-ek4jy we know, bro.

[@jasonmillard199]

@@Hanover-ek4jy how do you know

[@Hanover-ek4jy]

@@jasonmillard199 “It was a total mischaracterization of Jerry West,” longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti told The Athletic. Mitch Kupchak, like West a player-turned-executive with more than three decades in the front office, told the website that the show is ridiculously far off the mark. “The guy in the show playing Jerry and the Jerry I worked with for 14 years is not the same guy,” he said. “Jerry was passionate but never lost his temper and threw things. Never. I would know.”

[@TheInstantClassic86]

I’ve met Jerry West several times and I can tell you he is nothing like he’s being portrayed in the TV show. He’s a very playful guy. He will say hello and talk to anyone regardless it’s staff or employees of the arena. As for Kareem…well yeah. They got that one right. Lol

[@Iamgroot414]

😂😂😂😂 Kareem part took me out

[@Paul-ew5st]

Did you meet him in the 70s?

[@javirios3107]

@@Paul-ew5st exactly lol. He met the old wise sage😂 not fair.

[@38snubnose]

You didn’t know jerry west during that time. You met him when he was old

[@howisthatgay4275]

Really? Well hey this KZbin commenter says he was nice to him. Guess all those stories amongst those within the business were all lying and he was always “internalized”!

[@Demomandan]

“He’s a gentleman to everyone who didn’t know him”, they definitely played him more harshly in episode 1 but it was for the subversion of showing his deeper struggles with his abusive father and the feeling of not being good enough.

[@Ededdneddy9]

I agree with the 4th wall break stuff but I think it works for movies and shows that aren’t supposed to be taken seriously like wolf of Wall Street or deadpool

[@bmla88]

I dont mind the 4th wall breaking in Goodfellas because it’s the very end of the movie and it really emphasizes what henry hill is saying. If he suddenly broke the 4th wall in the middle of the movie and never again, that would be weird

[@ChrisCrossAplsauce]

Right. It’s actually a perfect artistic device at that point Goodfellas. It emphasizes that the “game is over,” and that reality has set in. Everything before that was a magical, fantastical life - and now he’s just like you and me. It’s perfect.

[@bmla88]

Also, through narration, Henry Hill has been talking to the audience the whole movie so breaking the 4th wall is a dramatic advancement of that device

[@lrod2004]

I was at an event yesterday where Jerry West was the guest speaker. He was gracious with fans (I got a selfie and thanked him for the 80’s success as a Laker’s fan). He mentioned how everything in the show about him is a lie and is hurtful to his family. In the many years of my following the Lakers and seeing interviews of him he always seemed, insightful, soft spoken, kind and also competitive in a quiet way. Episode 2 seems even more harmful to portraying him then. I worry that people are going to get this one-sided view of this basketball icon (literally and figuratively 😉)

[@gunkmasterflex942]

No, jerry is that person. All it ever takes is one person to confirm it. And how character arcs are created. The research behind west took month's to delevope (yet it doesnt and will not paint west in a negative light ever!) What happens in the first few episodes is 75% accurate! Dont forget to be the best you have a to be a warrior! ANGRY AND PASSIONATE. That's what it takes! Also, please dont forget it's just a tv show. And the director and actor agree to a method to create the story going. We all know how Jerry west is.... hes the NBA LOGO

[@artistamisto]

@@gunkmasterflex942 75% Lol. The whole series isn't accurate in many areas which is why I, as a big old school Lakers fan a few years before Showtime started, will skip the rest of this nonsense.

[@anthonytaylor7928]

So it doesn't mean that it wasn't true

[@mitchtherevolution]

@@artistamisto Yeah, because historical shows and movies can't possibly be good if they dare change anything.

[@jahcode6132]

It's funny because Jerry West was my favorite character in the show and I have a feeling he was for a lot of people as well.

[@ramontrevi10]

That Goodfellas ending is breathtaking... every time I see it, I get goosebumps, like I was a part of it every minute

[@22timeless]

The way this show is cut up and filmed and edited, and directed is amazingly entertaining.. It's great... With all the facts and fictions of the story, the visuals are entertaining and good. 4th wall be broken for our viewing pleasures

[@danielstack4158]

I like Jerry West even more based off the show.

[@garygray3834]

Winning Time is a fantastic series true or false loved every minute of it perfection in story telling and editing

[@ProdCritic]

Calm down people. It's called a "dramatization". Anyone confusing this for a documentary needs professional help

[@dawgpost90]

A vast majority of people believe fictional representations of life in shows and movies. It's really common.

[@mkhanman12345]

@@dawgpost90 how do you know? is there a count

[@fredwright5954]

@@mkhanman12345 are you serious?

[@mkhanman12345]

@@fredwright5954 post proof That one acquaintance doesn't represent everyone

[@briandillpickle]

My fiancée knows very little about Lakers history so the 4th wall-breaking moments definitely help her out. It also means less hitting the pause button and explaining for me

[@Kevinschart]

i always thought voice over narration was lazy storytelling. but in "winning time" it's done stylistically and comically. I found my self chuckling at some of the exposition, so it works for me.

[@gravityfel7896]

Way I saw it, it felt like it's a huge inspiration from Martin Scorecese's style of having his main characters narrate the story for the audience. Both this show and Martin's characters are flawed - and those characters know nobody will ever listen to or understand them. So the characters talk to the audience, not only because the audience doesn't talk back, but because they can - and have - used it as a means for those characters to justify to themselves that what they're doing is necessary for their survival.

[@rynolascavio3381]

reminds me of Malcom in The Middle.

[@cesartrujillo8813]

Jerry west went through depression alot of times. Even while been a player every finals loss he wanted to retire. More or less west was just more mad of himself not been able to win more. But he was always mad. That’s just reality

[@aidankeohane3370]

The thing that’s kinda hilarious, is that the real Jerry West’s response to this character, is exactly how this character would respond to a fictionalized version of himself. Having said all that, Jerry West is titan of the game and is fully entitled to his opinion. Personally I think Jason Clarke is a fantastic actor and did a really good job.

[@StandingInTheGAPMinistriesInc]

That portrayal was of jerry over 40 years ago . We age, we change

[@loststoryproductions]

Not everyone changes

[@marcusjahn4909]

The 4th Wall debate is superfluous, it's a valid storytelling device that's been used in theater for millenniums

[@nicholas4727]

I hate it.

[@1nstantClassic]

im an Adam Mckay fan so I get he takes liberties with characters and its starring John C Reilly so im not taking it too seriously. fun fact this show is why Mckay, Will Ferrell and John C had a falling out. Will wanted to play Jerry and Adam didnt give it to his business partner cause he didnt think Will was right for it so Will has not spoken with him since and has dissolved their production company. Will hasn't spoken with John cause he feels his friend should not have taken the role cause he knew how badly Will wanted it. So we probably wont be getting a step brother 2.

[@robofish312]

Oh wow

[@conehed1138]

What a petty thing to get upset over... John is clearly a much better fit for the role. When was the last time will Ferrell was funny? The other guys? Sad!

[@KonaTheDragon]

John C Riley is baddass. Ferrel is way more successful, you’d think he would support his less legendary friend get a great opportunity.

[@Bison3272]

Really a falling out?! Never knew, that sucks

[@Kevinschart]

if this is true Ferrell is a pure clown. I didn't get the job so you neither should you?

[@JRay2113]

Give it time. It’s a show. And it’s a darn good one too.

[@Quanic2000]

This Jerry West portrayal may not be accurate... but I respect the man more after watching the episodes released so far.

[@MyUniqueHandle.]

I find his scenes hilarious

[@EWeb__]

I don’t know Jerry west…But I don’t think the portrayal had the intention of giving people the wrong idea about him. All I know is that he’s a legendary player in one of basketballs greatest rivalries.

[@JohnMiller-jb2dw]

I'll take the Jerry West portrayal. Genius!

[@freshtendrills5969]

You don't want to try and learn ANYTHING from TV or movies these days. Especially history.

[@larhondaodomph.d.4614]

I see myself in this character. Always nervous about my favorite team. The character is my favorite. And I'm learning a lot about the players by looking them up for myself. Plus that opening theme song got me hooked.

[@kandr21400]

Here's the thing about all of the portrayals....the reason why I believe they're mostly accurate is because I don't think the writers and producers would've just went off the rails with totally inaccurate stuff KNOWING the real people would come at them with a million lawsuits.

[@theianprender-cast3863]

Depends how close to the truth it is. Besides, saying he should be unhappy with his portrayal does little to acknowledge how complex and engaging Jason Clarke’s portrayal of Jerry is. He is a driven, single-minded, frustrated, insecure competitor. He lived not being quite good enough as a player, so of course he hates living it as a coach/administrator. Besides, as Jerry West he was the Lakers for a lot of people for a long time. So their failures are projected onto him and he had the carry that burden; he had to be the coach because of who he was, not because he was the right man to coach the team… and that frustrated him because he knew he wasn’t the right guy to do it, but he had to because he didn’t trust anyone else to do it. That’s ego, control, all that good stuff ripe for storytelling.

[@boringbone]

The portrayal just made me appreciate him more. They made look more of a competitive killer than Kobe Bryant himself

[@bonillamaun]

No wonder Jerry stopped at nothing to trade for Kobe lol

[@Airestotle09]

Honestly the Jerry West in the show is an amazing character that anyone can relate to. Sure it may be exaggerated a bit, but the show really doesn’t deserve the backlash that its getting. Love the show.

[@MrZola1234]

In film schools they preach against the use of voice overs, the idea is to just get across what you need through the movie...it's a cheat sort of to use a voice over. The same could be said for breaking the 4th wall and it's even worse. That said nany of my favorite movies have had vioce overs.

[@FYRFOX198]

I ENJOY THE SHOW IMMENSELY, FOR LAUGHS, I’m a huge Lakers fan, (but not recently), grew up in the 80s. I know a lot of it is fiction and some truth buried in it. I don’t see Jerry West that way, but the character is hilarious. Jerry West will always have my respect for everything he’s accomplished with the lakers…no worries Jerry, we know that ain’t you.

[@thelyric8266]

It's like snowfall with a comedic approach...some events not real and is for movie purposes but also some events is real like magic with orange juice to kareem...it just entertaining

[@ponypower8]

I agree. Not every viewer will actually Google or read a book to counter check if what you just watched actually happened that way, or if it is "the director's CINEMATIC interpretation" of an incident or situation.

[@pezzz182]

I love when they talk television in the shop. Wish we had more of it.

[@bobnicholas5994]

There has never been a story told that was ever entirely true. The Lakers are glad some of their activities were not gotten into.

[@Mooseman327]

It's amazing that, in our society, the truth is not considered very important any more and that lies are so easily accepted and even preferred. Some even believe that lying is more authentic than the truth. Small wonder everything is so screwed up.

[@markwarren250]

Deadpool is a great example of breaking the 4th wall and doing it very well

[@googleislame]

With Deadpool, it makes sense because that is actually one of his super powers. He is the only one in his comic books and movies who is aware that he is in a comic book or movie. Just about all other instances of breaking the 4th wall do not work because it breaks immersion. And it is just bad story telling because it is exposition. The only other cases where I think it is excusable is in satire/comedy (Space Balls, Bugs Bunny).

[@markhernandez5873]

Are we to believe that none of the professional athletes are a-holes and just believe that they are all great people.

[@Darksky1001able]

I doubt everybody was like Bill Russell. But one things for sure, i love Bill Russell.

[@wesleypeel4756]

But it does have a disclaimer..

[@ZJBorg]

The longer you stick with it the more the character gets fleshed out. In reality West was dealing with depression at this time and you get that vibe even though it’s not expressed explicitly in the show. More than anything he goes from a place of being in a role he did like/wasn’t suited for (coaching) to one he did (executive/GM/team builder)

[@pint.]

I admire Jerry west even more for his portrayal in The series winning time, its a Good series it might not quite accurate but a Great casting and acting, i'm invested for more episodes

[@seekingstardom]

Anyone read: West by West? His auto biography? Because he’s pretty clear about how tormented he was. Describes himself as having been cruel to players. Had Pat Reilly throw out his awards! A complicated man! I think they have really tenderized him, filled out his story and the actor is crushing it. A balance of oil and vinegar. Tv takes liberties but Jerry’s ethos feels pretty accurate if we are to take Jerry at his own word.

[@darricklucero1161]

Good show, but, to go with the bad portrayal of West, the Celtic game was BS. Haywood started, did not come off the bench at the end, the Lakers were tied , not down at the end and Nixon hit 2 free-throws to win it, not Cooper hitting a last second shot. Why do they do this?

[@bicgohill8756]

Because Nixon hitting 2 free throws is not sexy stupid.

[@digontozahid]

I dont understand why people think jerry wests portrayal is negative its really not ....he is one of the most layered and complex character in the series .....why he does what he does in certain instances has real meaning behind it ....

[@stephaniegormley9982]

How true could this series be? They're not even using the nickname of the team. Afraid to give free advertising to their pay cable competitor.

[@giblet1618]

OK I understand that Jerry West nowadays is probably far more mellow and relaxed. However nobody is talking about how Jerry West actually was in 1979. And after Jerry West became general manager of the Lakers I’m sure he changed as well. I am 34 I don’t care at all about basketball and this show has gotten me into learning about the Lakers and appreciating basketball. I think the show portrays Jerry west in actually a really good light he is someone who super passionate about the game and who is totally in love with basketball.

[@texassports6562]

Whatever anyone says about what’s accurate or not with Winning Time, the show is magnificent!

[@stevewise1656]

Very! The man is 83 years old and one of the greatest GM's in all of sports history.

[@syklee26]

I just don’t understand why the Buss family continuously disrespects the logo. That is just so ungrateful considering what he has done for Lakers.

[@007ndc]

Jeannie Buss sided with her boyfriend Phil Jackson over The Logo Jerry West pure and simple

[@RK-ck6pl]

I was enjoying the show until you guys criticized Goodfellas. That movie was damn near perfect. He narrated the entire movie. And you didn't see him break the 4th wall until the end, because that was his past and when he broke the 4th wall he was in the present, telling you the story. Schmucks.

[@antoineb9371]

This show made me like and respect Jerry West even more

[@dominicdingess7140]

The problem with shows like winning time is that they are great shows. They just aren't totally faithful to the subject matter, and most people don't do research after the show ends.

[@frozentundra7446]

I have to admit, the first episode made Jerry West look like a complete nut-job!

[@StuAus]

It's a great show, I'm loving it so far. It's a dramatised series not a documentary.

[@WildwoodClaire1]

It IS possible to dramatize a story without turning it into a steaming pile of horse manure.

[@MajesticWaffle]

We all know that, it isn't the point. Just because it's a "drama" doesn't mean they can make mockeries of NBA legends. Particularly Kareem as well

[@KliqDon1983]

I don't see it as a negative at all. Shows the true grit and passion West had for the game.

[@peterlucidoiii9568]

Goodfellas he was narrating the entire movie from the courtroom and then we finally catch up To that at the end.. brilliantly done

[@ragnari9368]

The Lakers would have likely won championships with Moncrief, they just would have been a different team, more meat and potatoes, and much less showtime. Moncrief was an elite defender with a good mid-range jumper. He was also deadly in the post. He was also one of the few players that could really frustrate Bird.

[@jaycepero8069]

If you’re an athlete, related to or a friend of one, and Jeff Pearlman calls, hang up the phone. Dude digs deep.

[@DrDetfink]

Winning Time punished the logo repeatedly in the 1st and 2nd episodes. Wow. I can see, Jerry West looking at Magic Johnson who was a departure from his era of basketball but I can't see West always acting like he's ready to bust a blood vessel.

[@howisthatgay4275]

I see it as a service to his obsessive competitiveness. Perfectionists aren’t usually nice people

[@thezeek2745]

This show isn’t a documentary. It’s entertainment.

[@khylera883]

I was born in 95 this series is super important to me because I wasn’t alive for this moment in time. I’m sitting here thinking this was actually Jerry’s personality. Which now makes me think was Paul Westhead character overly dramatized which sucks. I really like this show and the acting isn’t too bad it’s respectable.

[@44032]

Westhead had coached LaSalle for a decade before he came to the Lakers yet in one scene Riley has to tell him that he's supposed to argue with the refs!

[@markmendoza9256]

Can we just enjoy the SHOW 10/10 🔥🔥🔥

[@danbarnet1222]

I love both the real Jerry West and the exaggerated version of him in Winning Time. In fact hes my fav character.

[@JarodJoseph]

The resemblance alone is commendable.

[@jimmybay4743]

He might be my fav character in the show and a lot of people agree. Truth mixed with fantasy and lies. Perfect

[@MajesticWaffle]

Truth mixed with fantasy and lies is perfect? Yikes

[@SpaceJockey805]

The West fans need to calm down. He isn’t being portrayed as a maniac, he only had a couple loud moments which was probably meant to show how passionate he was. I’m a Laker fan for every era, and I don’t think any less of Jerry after watching the first few episodes

[@WildwoodClaire1]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's comparison of the Jerry West portrayal in "Winning Time" to Wile E Coyote is apt. West and his lifelong struggle with depression is used primarily as "comic relief." But then, "Winning Time" presents EVERY character as a crude, one-dimensional caricature. West's portrayal is only slightly stupider than that of Paul Westhead, lampooned as a hapless, bumbling nebbish. And judging by Episode 7, it looks like the series may go even lower in its caricature of Larry Bird, although in HIS case, he likely does not give a damn.

[@Fotosynthesis858]

I wouldn’t think Jerry West would be too happy about his portrayal. But then again, there has to be some truth to it.

[@courtneysmith1558]

I don't fully see it as negative. Could he have really been this way at this time in his life, very possible. He's just coming off of his career and with him being such a good and player, he's going to have some growing pains and acceptance to deal with. We see players like this a lot especially if Father time took their career as opposed to them being legitimately happy with their choice to retire. This is 1979, so who's to say that he didn't have time to sit with his situation and finally decided to make the best of it which we see later in his life.

[@amaddenmind4597]

I love jerry west character

[@mmageek]

Using Goodfellas as the 'breaking the fourth wall' example is odd. I think Ferris Bueller's day off is the most effective use of that storytelling technique. Speaking as a younger gen x'er.

[@jackbauer4186]

The 4th wall break at the end of Goodfellas is one of the best scenes in the film.

[@TempeSoldier123]

This is why I watch documentaries when I want the real story. If you choose to be entertained over educated, then don’t expect what you watch to be factually accurate.

[@randolphdefreese7874]

Jerry is 83,I doubt he cares.

[@jamienoble8747]

That’s exactly him. This is why it hits so hard

[@apostolostvable]

The show is obviously taking dramatic liberties with all the portrayals. Jerry is known to be ultra competitive and passionate. That scene where he finally wins the title but he's not quite happy is actually true. Jerry admitted it took him 2-3 days to finally celebrate and appreciate winning the title, the show just didn't portray that.

[@tengen3613]

I love the 4th wall breaks.

[@vincentlewisjr8447]

I’m willing to bet.. Jerry back then wasn’t a delight

[@twofourjay]

I like the way the 4th wall is broken in this show. Most director’s don’t do it right

[@DoroteoVilla]

I have a hard time getting worked up about a portrayal even if it is hyperbolic and inaccurate. Jerry West should understand what most reasonable people do without giving it too much thought: it's TV.

[@liamleech4748]

I have no idea how jerry west actually is but even through the 6th episode, I never seen it as bad. Ya they probably made him more of a hot head but for the most part the character is well played. Nice guy just has demons from his playing days which you even see in his older years, still haunts him.

[@nunyabiz6918]

I thought he came off as a hilarious badass. Made me like him a lot more and added dimensions to a dude that was literally summed up by a one dimensional logo.

[@karlosanthony5976]

I was shocked at this portrayal of West. I don't know what he was like in person...but many say he was not this type of hothead

[@sparkofgenius3372]

"FAST BREAK": is a must see documentary about, COACH, JOHN MCLENDON. This Legendary, African-American basketball coach, INVENTED, the fast break. He also helped integrate the sport. I'm only here to enlighten basketball fans. Enjoy the show, Winning Time, but, know the "TRUTH."

[@PatrickNorrie]

This was how Jerry West thought in his mind.

[@teddybrukshot1801]

The 4th wall it seems like everyone hates it that doesn't feel the show! But if you see the brilliance of the series, you will accept it! I never new what it was called before the 4th wall! Thanks

[@garymorrison2624]

Think he's brilliant. Jerry should give it more time. It's a dramatic representation not a documentary. And I think Clarke is doing very well to give the show alot of heart regarding its legacy.

[@TheDistractingGamer]

Read West's own autobiography. The people who have come forward to defend him lately, including he himself, are capping to protect his precious legacy.

[@gnewt75]

I'm loving this series. A telling of history isn't supposed to be favorable. It's supposed to be honest.

[@cycleoflife565]

It’s satire, isn’t it?

[@billycharles]

But it’s not honest

[@gnewt75]

@@billycharles no one has sued the book publishers since it's release or the producers yet.

[@scratchpenny]

@@gnewt75 West is suing, with a lot of player and staff support claiming the portrayal is false. The book is more accurate, but not the show. Adam McKay has always been a bastard, going all the way back to his SNL days of stealing skits from other writers/comics.

[@gnewt75]

@@scratchpenny I saw that. HBO had yet to comment. The legal department I'm sure was fully aware of the discrepancies and will counter.

[@RSmith-wd7zr]

If you lost to the Celtics 6x in a row, how can you NOT be a little unhinged.

[@betpow]

nailed it!

[@rynolascavio3381]

It almost feels like they are trying to make another "Tiger King".

[@maximilliansbabo2099]

The point is he was telling the story from the court room the entire time

[@kennyverboven5075]

I think it portrays a great Jerry West who was a die hard Lakerboy! I like Jerry West more because of the series 💯

[@ThomasRoy3r]

Agreed. I wondered about the Jerry West character. Seemed way too over the top. But the breaking of the 4th wall makes the show!