Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022) s01e02 Episode Script
Is That All There Is?
1
♪
(woman screaming, gasping)
- Man: Come here, bitch!
Get back here!
- (smashing)
(overlapping screaming)
Woman:
He was my son, too.
Man: Bullshit!
Your son is breathing!
He's not rottin' in a box
in the front room.
Damn it, I wish them gooks
had killed you both instead!
Woman:
Leave me alone
and go to hell!
Man:
Your son is still
alive out there,
- just sniveling like
some bleeding mutt!
- Woman: Don't touch me!
Man:
Ah, he's going nowhere.
He never will. He's a nobody.
He's not my son.
He's yours.
- Bitch! Come here!
- (woman screaming)
(shouting, screaming)
Come back here, you bitch!
I'll get your ass!
You're next!
I said, come back here!
Woman:
Leave me alone,
don't touch me!
(overlapping shouting)
Get away from me!
(yelling fades away)
(wind blowing)
(crowd cheering)
Chick Hearn:
Lakers win! Lakers win!
Lakers win!
And Jerry West, long denied,
is finally a champion.
My goodness,
after all those years
and all those losses,
here he is,
in the Promised Land.
And, oh, Lakers fans,
he must be
on top of the world.
Crowd:
Lakers! Lakers! Lakers
(melancholy music playing)
♪
- Woman: I'll have another.
- Bartender: Sure thing.
- (puts down glass)
- (woman sigh)
Still doesn't feel
real, does it?
(sighs)
I was just thinking that.
I'm really going to miss him.
Huh?
Bob?
- (crying)
- (ding)
Oh. Oh, f
Fuck, Jerry. I'm sorry.
I'm here alone.
I didn't know him.
♪
Oh, I just (sighs)
You looked like one of us.
Hm
Oh, I'm sorry
for your loss.
Woman:
I'm sorry for yours.
Whatever it is. (sighs)
I actually
didn't lose for once.
(laughs) I won.
To happy
endings then.
- Yeah, happy endings.
- (clink)
So, what's next?
- (moaning)
- (pounding)
(bed thumping)
(heavy breathing)
(grunting)
("Walkin' You Home"
by Tony Butala)
Wah-wah, wah-wah ♪
Wah-ah ♪
Wah-wah, wah-wah ♪
(sighs) Uh
- Sure you won't stick around?
- Mm. I better get home.
(kiss)
Hm. Were you at
a party or something?
Hm?
I've been looking
for this my whole life.
Woman:
Happy to help.
See you around sometime.
(door opens)
("Is That All There Is?"
by Peggy Lee)
Peggy Lee:
I remember when
I was a little girl
- (door closes)
- our house caught on fire.
I'll never forget the look
on my father's face
as he gathered me
up in his arms
and raced through
the burning building
onto the pavement.
♪
And I stood there
shivering in my pajamas
and watched the whole
world go up in flames.
And when it was all over,
I said to myself
is that all there is
to a fire?
(echoing):
Is that all there is?
(sirens wailing)
("My Favorite Mutiny"
by The Coup playing
♪
There it is ♪
♪
Check it out ♪
Move, if you got the nerve ♪
Lash out for
your just desserts ♪
It's not just the worth ♪
Some of y'all heads
up in the clouds ♪
I'ma bring y'all
back to earth ♪
It's Black back to burn ♪
Bullshit y'all talkin' 'bout ♪
Out ya mouth ♪
I'm not concerned ♪
'Cause y'all got to learn ♪
It's y'all turn
like Detroit Red ♪
When his head
had a Ultra Perm ♪
The long walk'll
burn your bare heels ♪
So throw on your boots ♪
The game camouflaged
like army suits ♪
But I can see it
more clear ♪
'Cause I came with
The Coup in here ♪
Ring the alarm
and form the troops ♪
Send 'em out into the world
Go to war in a fluke ♪
Eye to eye with the enemy
you sworn to shoot ♪
Now comin' at ya neck
sick o' hearin' ♪
Something wrong with me ♪
Motherfucker somethin'
wrong with you ♪
When the chief just
way too smart to question ♪
The enemy the brothers
of a dark complexion ♪
The governments of the world
is shark infested ♪
They heavy on weaponry
like Charlton Heston ♪
Man, yeah,
it gets low here ♪
Real low
Know what I'm talkin' 'bout? ♪
(vocalizing)
Yeah, yo, it gets low ♪
♪
- (static)
- (siren wailing)
Jerry West:
There you go again, Bill!
Pissing on a flat rock
and telling me it's raining!
Bill Sharman:
I just drafted you
two power forwards.
I just coached those scrubs
in summer league.
Shit, fuck,
I'd do better with
two pin-dick toddlers
from your summer camp.
- Hearn: You know what I'd do.
- Jerry West: Fuck off, Chick.
- Sharman: We're not
trading Kareem!
- Jerry Buss: Alright then!
We're not trading
the MVP!
Sounds like smart
basketball, Bill.
This is Maria, by the way.
Have a seat, honey.
Chick, do you mind
mixing me up
a rum and Coke?
- What are you having, hon?
- Sex on the Beach?
- (laughs)
- Frank Mariani:
That's what I like to hear.
You know, we're, uh,
really just getting started.
Uh, nothing too
exciting yet. You know,
might be best to let us
hack the tall grass
and come by and give you
the big picture later.
Yeah. Leave the gardening
to us, huh, Bill?
That's what we used
to do for Cooke.
Right. Well
I like to be a little
more hands-on.
I've got the owners
meeting coming up,
so if you tell me
what we're looking for,
I can keep my ear to the ground,
and see if I can help us out.
No, no, no, no.
You don't do that.
Sharman:
No, what-what Jerry is
trying to say is that
these owner characters,
they're just a little slippery.
(laughs) Come on, boys.
I'm talking about
a championship!
A ring.
The record books.
That is what we're
all doing here, right?
Since when?
Since God invented basketball!
Since God
invented basketball.
- Jerry, Jerry stop.
- Jerry West: No, Bill, no.
Bill, he wants to pretend
we're playing basketball.
Why don't you ask him
why this is
the third year straight
I've been begging
for a solid four,
but he won't buy me
Spencer Haywood.
He's too expensive.
Not to mention he attracts
a certain element,
you know, that whole
"back to Africa" malarkey.
Jerry West:
That sound like
basketball to you?
- Sharman: It's business, Jerry.
- Bingo. Ding-ding.
That's what you won't read
in your sports pages.
Every year,
I tell these jokers
what I need to win it all.
We game it out, we get
all fired up and hard.
Then the man in
your shoes walks in
and we're right back
where we started.
Sellin' popcorn,
sitting on our fuckin' thumbs.
And Jerry West is out there
with the same three stars,
nine scrubs, trying to squeeze
a diamond out of
fuckin' pig shit.
- You know what, fellas?
Fucking do myself a favor
- Sharman: Jerry--
- and fucking spare
myself the emotional
- Indulge me, Jerry.
- Indulge me. Jerry,
tell me what you need.
- Jesus Christ.
(Jerry West sighs)
More than you're
willing to spend.
And you know that how?
- Oh shit.
- You're a businessman.
Y'all want pee from a tree,
but when you see the price,
your sphincter puckers.
(laughing)
Oh. Alright.
Bill, is this
last year's budget?
Yeah, we're still
working on the new one.
- Alright, well, don't bother.
- (throws folder)
Jerry, I told you
when we drafted Johnson,
all the other basketball
was up to you,
and I will give you
whatever you need.
Now, take the week
and come back to me
about what that is.
In the meantime, Maria
you leave the price tag,
and my beautiful sphincter,
up to me.
(scattered laughter)
Come on, Frank!
Sharman:
Shit, Jerry,
I think you just got
everything you always wanted.
(laughing)
♪
Jerry Buss:
Now we can do as much
as we want with a stadium.
David Stern:
Well, th-that's a good point,
Dr. Buss. To my mind,
the NBA should be competing
with the top-tier leagues.
I mean, we-we have the most
exciting sport on the planet,
the best athletes.
There's no reason
we can't be just as popular
as golf or tennis.
- (ding)
- Mariani: Hey, who knows?
Maybe we'll
catch up to bowling.
You're joking, but they're
killing us in the Nielsens.
We're on thin ice with CBS,
and no one else
is beating down the door.
If we're going to survive,
we need big thinkers.
Well, Dave, here we are.
- Let's go say hi. Fred!
- (convention chatter)
Dr. Jerry Buss,
pleasure to finally meet you.
- How's the old lady?
Good. Vince!
- Fred: Great.
How do you do? Dr. Jerry Buss.
Coming out with us tonight?
I don't know.
I'll have to see, Jerry.
You ever had a blow job
with champagne in her mouth?
You're going to love it.
Mr. McComb!
Welcome to Los Angeles, partner.
Texas is bigger,
but we're more fun.
- Welcome to the club.
- Oh, thank you.
It's a great honor.
Hey, I want you to know
I voted for you.
Thank you, Bill.
I appreciate that. I really do.
- He didn't.
- He didn't vote for me?
- He didn't vote for you.
- (laughs)
A lot of people were
against you buying it.
- Mm-hmm.
- See, we've seen some
real estate types before
that buy low, sell high.
No long-term investment
in the future of the league.
Well, the Lakers
are your future, Dave.
- Oh?
- But I'd still like
to meet the past.
- Where's this Auerbach?
- Oh, you mean the Pope?
Follow the white smoke.
- (wind blowing)
- (mystical music playing)
Jerry Buss:
Red Auerbach.
Winner of 13 rings, seven
of them against our club.
No losses.
If you're a Laker,
he's the devil incarnate.
If you're from Boston,
chances are you're Catholic,
but you'd sell
your soul for him.
The networks are turned off
by all this street ball.
The thugs, the fighting.
It scares away decent families.
(laughs)
Don't you worry.
Decent families
have creamed their shorts
for Larry Bird.
The hick with the funny haircut?
That hick is gonna
win me 10 more rings.
- Yeah. He got a brother?
- Hell, I'll take a sister.
- (laughs)
- Jerry Buss: I'll take
the guy who'll beat him!
- Dr. Buss!
- Commissioner. Red!
- Jerry Buss, big fan.
- That won't last long.
Well, I doubt that.
I love a winner.
Well, then you bought
the wrong team.
No one loses quite
like the Lakers.
(laughter)
Jerry Buss:
Well,
I'm fixing to
change that actually.
Was hoping to pick your brain
a little bit about it.
You know, me and the boys
are gonna go out
on the town tonight.
I got the keys
to Hefner's place,
if you wanna come along.
(laughs) I bet you do.
(pats leg)
You fellas go
get your kicks.
- I got a basketball team to run.
- (puts down lighter)
Commissioner.
Sure thing.
Earvin Johnson:
Aight, y'all.
Take care of me now.
No scratching up
my mama's walls.
- Don't worry, man,
we got you.
- Aight.
Yo, what I heard true?
They give you 500,000?
- (whispers):
Fuck's wrong with you?
- What?
Just wanna know
what it feels like.
- All that money.
- It feels good, man.
Feel real good. (laughs)
For me though,
it ain't about the money.
It's about the love.
What's up, Mikey?
Tell your brother
I owe him that rematch too.
- (party chatter)
- Big bro! What's up, baby?
Man:
When you going
to training camp?
- Earvin Johnson Sr.:
Hey, Junior!
- What's up, Pop?
- Settle something
for your old man.
- Yes, sir.
What's the most points
you scored in high school?
- Forty-eight.
- Johnson Sr.: See?
See what?
I got 12 in a quarter.
- (laughs)
- Friend: You was king
of the air ball!
I used to dunk
on him so much,
his head used to
smell like my nuts.
That's why he
lost all that hair!
(overlapping laughter, chatter)
- Folks in Lansing
love their boy.
- Hey, EJ.
Mm, Cindy.
(party chatter continues)
What I tell you?
They all just rootin' me on.
All one big, happy f
(chatter continues)
family.
We-we right here. Look.
- Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Don't look actually.
- (sighs)
Alright, one more step.
Okay. Turn a little bit.
Alright.
Open your eyes.
What you think?
I think I know how
my wall got scuffed.
Don't worry about
none of that, Ma.
Them construction cats,
they gonna put it in real nice,
and they gonna
clean up your walls.
And trample all my floors
and tear my bathroom to pieces.
No.
- Where-where'd you
get this thing from?
- I bought it.
Look, Ma, it got these
fancy jets and everything,
just like the one
in that commercial
that was always liking.
Camay leaves me looking
clean and creamy.
Everywhere.
You bought this house, too,
with that Laker money,
or is this still mine to see to?
- 'Course it is, Ma.
- Hmm.
You should have consulted me.
Ma, how am I supposed
to surprise you
when I go sayin'
what I'm gonna do
- before I do it?
- Oh, I see.
So this is for me then?
So I can forget about you
skipping school this summer.
Ma, it ain't got nothin' to
do with my diploma. For real!
Right hand to God. Soon as--
As soon as the season over,
I'm back at it.
Oh, well, that sounds good.
So, I can just take
your word for it
and soak my cares away?
- You're supposed to be happy.
- (scoffs)
You know what?
You were baptized in a tub
just this size.
And the water hit,
and you didn't cry.
You didn't make a sound.
And I thought to myself,
well, this kid
is in lockstep
with the Lord.
All I got to do
is raise him right.
And Lord knows I tried.
Just 'cause I ain't takin'
no geography this summer?
Because you think
you can buy me
with a bathtub and a smile.
It ain't that, Ma.
I want you to stand
on your feet.
I want you to have
something to fall back on.
And your soul.
Because when these fans
are gone and, believe me,
- they will, mark my words--
- Ma, they ain't going nowhere!
Whole city full of love!
Why that ain't enough for you?
I was tryin' to make you happy.
I was happy with my old tub.
(kicks tub)
(birds chirping)
Karen:
Good luck. He's been in
there since yesterday.
Hasn't said a word,
just locked the door.
He gets this
before the season.
Karen:
And after the season and during
the season and All-Star break,
- and sometimes just
because it's Tuesday.
- Yeah, well, he lives
and breathes basketball.
That's why we love him.
- Fuck off, Bill.
- (knocking)
Jerry West:
Fuck off, Bill.
(sighs)
The love in this house.
Karen:
I'm leaving lunch!
You're welcome.
Oh shit.
Are you kidding me?
Jesus fuckin' Christ.
- (grunting)
- (blinds rattling)
Ah! Ah! Fuck! Shit!
(panting)
Leave me alone. I'm working.
I see that.
- (golf clubs rattling)
- (Bill sputters)
This place reeks like
a gym sock farted.
Get out then.
Have you thought
about showering?
Good thoughts come in
when you're showering.
What's the point?
Who wins, who plays,
who loses.
We all end up the same anyway.
Fuckin' worm food. Dead.
Well, that's one perspective.
- The only one.
- (sighs) Jerry
- (blinds rattling)
- I've listened to you
bitch for 10 years.
About wanting
the right ingredients,
and this guy is
giving you carte blanche
for the perfect meal.
I will give you
whatever you need.
Fuck. As long as there's
a fuckin' onion in it.
What, are you still on
about Johnson? (laughs)
(sighs)
You know what I think?
It ain't Johnson. It's you.
You're afraid if you get
everything you asked for,
you won't have an excuse.
Fuck you, Bill! Fuck you!
I don't need no excuse!
And I fuckin'
sure as shit don't need
no fuckin'
six-foot-nine-inch forward
playing dress-up as
a fuckin' point guard!
No, if it was up to me,
I'd take the ball
out of his hands
and stick him in the fuckin'
post where he belongs.
Then do it.
- Buss' never gonna--
- He said you had to
play the kid, not how.
What are you afraid of?
He's gonna fire you?
I mean, this job makes
you fuckin' miserable.
It's a win-win situation!
- Fuck you, I love my job.
- Then do it.
Could work.
It could be fucking--
It could be good.
♪
I'll have to talk
to Kareem first.
This could work.
Fuck goddammit, dude!
This is the fuckin'
business, huh?!
Why the fuck
you standing there, Bill?
I got work to do!
- It's hot in LA, right?
- Hot.
- Sun is all over you.
- All over you.
- So what do you want when
it's hot on the outside?
- Tell him what they want.
- Quincy: You want ice.
But not just any old ice.
- Larry: Ice.
Both:
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
- You want some ice
with some taste in it.
- Mm-hm. Tell him what they want.
- You want Tasty Ice.
- You want Tasty Ice.
Christine Johnson: Ladies,
you should see this gift
- that my Earvin gave me. A tub!
- Ladies: Oh?
Just like
the white lady on TV.
(cheering, laughing)
- This soap leave me soft and
- Yeah.
Yeah? Like
Like yeah, you in?
- (ladies laughing)
- Hey, why don't y'all hit me
with a business plan?
Then, we can see what's what.
We-we just told you
the business plan.
People's gonna eat ice
and give us money.
No, we'll be right back
with th-that business plan.
- Right.
- Quincy: We'll be right back.
We'll be back.
Cookie:
Hello, Earvin.
Hey, Cook. Glad you came.
(R&B music playing)
Hey, EJ.
'Sup, Brian.
I saw your mother
at Bible study.
Said we should
stop by.
Wanted to see you off.
Yeah?
Don't you work at
Happy Shoes on Sunday?
When you're the manager,
you make the schedule.
- Oh yeah,
you is the manager. Yeah.
- Yeah.
Congrats on the draft,
by the way.
That's a big deal.
- Hey, congrats on manager.
- Yeah. (laughs) Yeah, thanks.
Maybe you could stop by
the store sometime
before you leave.
- The kids would love it.
- Mm, I'm sure they would.
They see you
every day, so
Christine Johnson:
Brian, is that you?
Son, get in here!
I need your big brain
on this fish fry.
- Come on!
- Be right over, Sister Johnson.
- Oh
- You got a great mama, man.
Love her to death.
Excuse me.
So that's why you came through?
To show me up with that sucker?
I came
- Mm-hmm.
- to say how proud
of you I am.
And that if you need
anything, I'm here.
Anything?
I almost forgot who
I was talkin' to.
But, for real.
You need an ear or friend,
you know where I'm at.
Cook
- Okay? You already know.
- Mm-hm.
Quincy:
Man, EJ, you were right.
You were right.
We did need a business plan.
- And we sure enough got one.
- Boom.
- Two words.
- Quincy: Two.
- Blue
- (giggles)
- Berry.
- Quincy: Ooh!
Ain't nobody got that.
- Larry: Nobody! Nobody
- Quincy: Not Tastee-Freez.
♪
Well, it took all night
and my pisher grandson
spit up on
the revenue distinction,
but I think I cracked a budget
that might do the trick.
- Maybe the barf
will cover the red ink.
- (scoffs) No hiding that.
But run down to my car
and check the math.
- I've got a hot date
with the books.
- Mm-hm.
Love of my life.
(quietly): Alright.
(slams drawer)
Where the fuck are the books?
Officer:
So this burglary,
there were no valuables.
- It was just files?
- Not just files. Our financials.
It's 20 years of budgets,
balance sheets.
- Frank took them.
- It's everything.
It's the whole goddamn business.
Um, Frank took them.
- What?
- Uh, Uncle Frank?
- Frank Mariani, my Dad's--
- Yeah, I know who he is.
Yeah, he came by after hours
with a few guys and some boxes.
- He said it was okay--
- Claire Rothman: Okay by who?
Um, I don't know.
I figured that
he talked to you--
Jeanie, it's not
your job to figure.
Your job is to pour coffee.
Your job is to refill
the fucking stapler!
And your job is to
make sure that people
don't break into my office
like the Watergate burglars
and make off with
my goddamn books!
- I didn't know he hadn't--
- (door slams)
- (banging)
- Rothman: Fuck!
(phone ringing)
(typing)
Sorry. (sighs)
It'll be just a minute.
(typing continues)
Rothman:
Don't try number six.
Unless you want to
burn the bedspread.
Jerry Buss:
It's a win-win,
I'm telling ya.
You get yourself
a beautiful
oceanfront building,
and my team
gets a rebounder!
Maria,
you remember Arn?
Hi, Arn.
Hi, Arn
I mean I'm Arn.
Let's close this thing,
alright? Claire.
She closes more deals
than the lawyers.
Ha. I'll bet she does.
Sounds like you're trying
to free up some capital.
(sighs) Can't take it
with you, Claire.
What's your drink?
I'm buying.
I'm just a little
bit concerned.
- (ice clinking)
- What for? It's after
breakfast, isn't it?
Uh, see, ordinarily
with Mr. Cooke,
I'd walk him through
the books myself.
- But your partner
- Right.
Mr. Mariani came by
my office unannounced.
Are you kiddin' me?
Goddamn
I told him
to talk to you about
that first and, you know,
you can't control
everything they do.
That's Frank for you.
So anyway, you strike me
as a gin gal.
- I get that right?
- You got me.
Talent of mine.
I can always tell.
Have a seat!
Look, Mister, uh,
Dr. Buss--
Jerry. Jerry.
I don't know how
you run your business,
but those books are
how I do my job, okay?
Keeping the balance sheet
in check,
overseeing expenditures,
protecting you.
These are my responsibilities.
Those were your
responsibilities.
See, if I have her
lookin' after the books,
then she'll see we're
stretched a little thin,
and that kind of thing is
not great for morale.
Claire,
forget about the numbers.
I already have
somebody for that.
You've asked me to stay on.
Because I see
a bigger role for you.
I want you innovating. Now,
you have the Forum booked for,
what, 220 nights a year?
- 217.
- Not bad.
But the way I see it,
if we can just boost that
number up a little bit,
say, to 260 nights,
well then,
we're turnin' a profit.
And if you can get me
to 365 days a year,
- well then, we're
cookin' with gas.
- Uh, Dr. Buss,
no arena in the country is
booked every night, okay?
Madison Square Garden,
Caesars Palace.
Every place goes dark.
Well, they're not in
the city of sunshine, right?
Claire
Let's talk turkey.
What turns you on?
What gets your
blood pumping?
Because, me,
I don't even get out of bed
unless I have a hard-on
about something.
- So, what excites you?
- All right.
What is it going to take
for you to turn the Forum
itself into an attraction?
Money. Advertising,
marketing, refurbishments.
All of those are expensive.
- How much?
- It would help if I had
access to a budget.
You have access to me.
I'm the budget.
Now, be creative.
No idea is too big.
We are building
Shangri-La.
Jessie Buss:
Well, you have really
done it this time, Gerald.
Bought your way into
a grade-A money pit.
- (ding)
- (cash register rings)
Ma, it's the Lakers!
It's gonna be like
a family business,
but bigger and better.
I thought you already
got bigger and better.
That's why you
and little meatball
moved me on to greener pastures.
I know where
the bodies are buried.
Because she's the one
who buried 'em!
Lot of thanks I get.
Make mine a bourbon and soda.
- Jerry: You've had enough.
- Jessie: Since when?
- 1962?
- (Jessie laughs)
- You want me old before my time.
- (pouring)
Dee! Dee! Dee!
I did it! I poured you one.
You don't have soda.
You're just lazy.
Gerald, Gerald.
And why the Lakers?
There's no lakes around here.
Jerry:
I can't believe
you're not excited.
This puts our family
in a very elite club.
Okay? Tycoons.
You know, the people who
actually run the country.
Captains of industry.
What industry? Sweat socks?
No! Show business!
Forget Louis B. Mayer!
We're gonna be the next
moguls in this town.
You, me, Jeanie, the boys,
when they come back.
We're gonna be a dynasty.
And then you'll be satisfied?
- I'm gonna be thrilled.
- Hooey!
Then you'll just start
chasing something else.
- (sighs) Ma
- What?
I love you,
and I will see you
whenever I don't remember
what it's like to see you.
Leave the books,
I'll do the taxes.
(radio playing,
indistinct singing)
Best to keep your dirty laundry
in the family, don't you think?
- This is a big deal!
And you should be happier!
- Oh, I'm thrilled.
I'm gonna stick
his fuckin' ass
right in the post.
Fuck, I love this shit
point guard, I'm the coach!
Yes! It's fucking showtime!
Come on, showtime.
I've always had a soft
spot for you, Norman.
You've always had
a place right here.
God fucking damn it!
Get your fucking eyes up!
Trade you for a fucking mule!
But I swear to God,
there is no one,
and I mean it, fuckin'
no one I would rather have
running my offense than
Stormin' Norman Nixon.
Stormin' Norman Nixon!
What kind of fucking
name is that anyway?!
(laughs)
What's all this
shit about, Jerry?
See, that's why I like you,
Norm. A straight shooter.
Come on!
Been a lot of chat,
a lot of bullshit in
the fuckin' press.
You know,
this new kid comin' in,
snug-buggin' with the owner.
I see how that agitates
a guy like you.
Seasoned pro.
A man who worked
damn fuckin' hard
to make it in this league.
I want you to rest assured,
Norm, you're on solid ground.
You're the point guard, Norm.
Not him.
- You call yourself
a fuckin' point guard?!
- Says who?
Me, Coach.
The guy who decides.
So, Buss is cool with
paying half a million bucks
to sit this motherfucker on
a bench and watch him smile?
Buss is giving me free rein.
No more meddling, man.
Shackles the fuck off.
- Shackles off.
- He's giving me
the control.
I need to get this team
over the fuckin' hump.
'Cause that's what
we've been missing.
Fuckin' jewelry on a fuckin'
basketball court!
More control from you.
Exactly.
Okay, so my uncle
owns a store in Simi.
It's called Patio Brothers.
They are looking for a venue
for their annual convention.
And he's considered
by many the king
- of chaise lounges.
- What else?
First AME would take
the Forum every Sunday.
What if the Lakers
are playing on a Sunday?
- Linda: They'd have
to find another venue.
- The church?
- Linda: The team.
- Next.
Jeanie:
I have something. Maybe.
(stirring)
I've been, uh, digging
through the Billboard charts,
and it's been three years
since any top-10 acts
toured through the Forum.
It's our acoustics.
Right! Right.
And I-I know
we've seen some bids
on a new sound system,
but, I mean, honestly,
I don't think that's the point.
Th-this is Hollywood.
We don't need to make
the Forum sound good.
We just need to make it cool.
I have a few ideas,
if you're interested at all--
We're out of creamer.
Right.
(door opens)
- Just to be clear,
that's a no on Patio Brothers.
- (door shuts)
- Maude: That's a fuck no, Lon.
- Lon: Uh,
they're coming out with
a "Rocky 2," apparently,
so I'm thinking giant
screening at the Forum.
We can get Stallone.
- We could
- Maude: You got his number?
♪
(birds chirping)
(jazz music playing)
- Hey, Jer.
He's ready for you now.
- Huh?
Oh, good, good.
- Cheryl: You two have fun.
- Here's the big guy.
Hoo-wee!
Huh? Look at this.
Nice and peaceful, huh?
You know, I come by
'cause I want you
to know that I'm
well, I'm sensitive to
your frustrations, Cap.
I mean, shit, ever
since we traded Kermit,
you've been out there
gettin' fuckin' rag-dolled.
Respectfully, of course.
But that don't make it
fuckin' right!
Everybody beatin' on you.
Double and tripling
you in the post,
eating six elbows for
every fuckin' rebound!
Then, taking it up the ass
from the fucking press
when you're the one
carrying the goddamn team!
Fuck, I respect you too much to
see you go through that again.
Which is why I'm here.
You have a proposal.
I'm playing Johnson
at the fucking four.
I mean, he'll he'll spell
Norm a little off the bench,
but his main duties
would be carrying your water,
watching your back,
eating those fucking elbows
so you don't have to.
We're gonna kick his ass
in training camp.
I'll feed him so much
fuckin' steak and gunpowder,
he craps the happy out.
Look, the point is
this is our year, Cap!
You and me! The brass ring!
The guys who
live and die for it,
married to the game!
- (book pages flipping)
- (Kareem sighs)
Let me know when
training camp starts.
What you readin'? Good book?
Ah. Yeah.
It's on my list.
Well
assalamu alaikum.
Wa-alaikum salam.
('70s music playing)
Johnson:
I seen her looking at that
tub since I was little.
Every day,
she'd be watching her stories,
and there she is,
drool all down her chin.
Now, I go and get it for her,
and from the look on her face,
you would've thought
I called her everything
but a child of God.
(laughs) Wouldn't know
it from the outside.
- You think I'm playin'?
- I think I know your mama.
She gives you that
cold side. Meanwhile,
she's all around town,
telling everybody with ears
how great you are.
"Oh, my son Earvin this.
Oh, my son, Earvin that."
If she was a peacock,
her tail feathers
would have been fell off.
- What you sayin', I don't
know nothing about.
- (laughs)
- You know she loves you.
- Then why her love always got
a big ol' carrot
dangling in front of you?
Everything I do gotta be her way
or she ain't having none of it.
Can't imagine what
that must feel like.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- You!
On top of the world,
but just can't stand it.
Coming here on
Brian's day off,
get me to talk about
your mama. Then what?
Get me in the stockroom?
He hit it yet?
(sighs) I know
this game, Earvin.
Want everyone your way,
just like your mama.
Johnson:
Now, don't tell me
he's saving it for marriage.
All goody-goody up in church,
smiling and whatnot.
Now, he'd make my mama happy.
Last you said you wasn't gonna
be alone. Why should I be?
I ain't sayin' you should be.
You do you.
But that don't mean that
we can't do us though.
Cook
Don't be like that.
Hey, hey.
I love you.
Not as much as you love you.
The rest of us just
comin' off the bench.
♪
(clicks tongue)
- (moaning, groaning)
- (car squeaking)
(heavy breathing)
- Hoo
- (church bells ringing)
Come on.
Church about to let out.
Hoo-wee.
Shit ooh.
- (opens door)
- Needed that. Hoo!
♪
(indistinct crowd chatter)
I'm out here
on your lawn ♪
Johnson:
What's up, Brother William?
Brother William:
Basketball man!
- Woman: Hey, sunshine.
- Johnson: Good day
for a fish fry!
(continues, indistinct)
What's up, Cook?
Looking lovely, as usual.
Hey, Ma. Sorry, I had
to get some fresh air.
You know, uh, our-our
stained glass window
of the Savior can use
a little tender loving care--
Say less, Pastor, say less.
Let's fix that Jesus now.
Oh, look at that.
It don't fit.
Pastor:
Lord, Junior! God bless you!
God bless you, too,
Pastor Greene.
Anything for the church.
- Anything for the church.
- You got a fine son there,
Sister Johnson.
- (kiss)
- Yes. Yes Yes, he is.
- Pastor: Working in the kingdom.
- Johnson: Yes, sir!
I'm about to get a plate, Ma.
Love you!
Pastor:
God bless you again, Junior.
God bless you.
Amen, amen.
(pastor continues, indistinct)
Waiter? What's this fly
doing in my soup?
- Waiter: The backstroke, sir.
- (glasses clink)
Dr. Buss! Welcome, sir.
Bruno!
Red.
I am so glad you called.
I'm a little surprised
you did, but I'm glad.
- Had to eat somewhere.
- Well, we picked a good place.
- Come on in.
- Bruno: We have your
regular table, sir.
Jerry:
Fantastic. I feel like
I just won a date
with the Playmate
of the Year. (laughs)
Linda. That lawsuit
is embarrassing.
Billy! You know what
I'm asking for, right?
- Little bit of Louis Prima.
- (laughs) Great choice!
How are you, pal?
I wanna introduce you
to some people
before we sit down
if that's alright, Red.
Ladies! May I introduce
the Great Red Auerbach.
- The winningest man in
basketball right here.
- (impressed murmuring)
This is a very special moment
you're having. Trust me.
We'll get to know these gals
a little bit later, alright?
The girls are gonna
join us for dessert,
you know what I mean?
What do we got here, Bruno?
Corner table?
(laughs)
Bruno: Rum and Coke, sir?
Yes. Keep 'em coming, Bruno!
- Red, what're you having?
- Scotch.
- The good stuff! Thank you.
- Bruno: Thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir.
That play work for you
in real estate?
What's that?
Get the sucker thinking
with his little head,
not his big one?
(laughs) There's that
famous Celtic defense.
No. Come on.
You're a student of
the game, I take it.
Yeah. Look, Red
I know I'm still
the freshman of the class,
and you're
the big man on campus.
I get that.
I respect it.
But I wanted to meet because
I'm asking for your help.
I'm trying to build
something out here
like you built in Boston.
Like a real dynasty.
And frankly, I think that
would be good for the league.
(smooth jazz playing)
(laughing) Sor--
What?
You think you're the guy
to do that, do you?
Well, I wouldn't count me out.
(sighs)
You strike me
as a happy man.
You only get so
many summers, right?
- Then here's my advice.
- Okay.
Enjoy this thing. Milk it.
For the nookie,
for the attention.
Leave the dynasties to me.
(jazz continues)
Come on now, Red.
You afraid of competition?
(laughs) No.
I live for competition,
but you're no competitor.
It's nothing to be ashamed of.
It's just not who you are.
- It's not your nature.
- Alright.
You know, Red, we just met
(clears throat)
so you don't know me.
But I grew up dirt poor,
- on breadlines.
- Yeah. Made all the money
in the world.
- And you think you
can buy this, too?
- No.
I think I can win this.
(laughing)
Championships aren't won.
They're taken.
By men like me,
who'd cut your heart out
and still sleep like a baby
for one more banner
in the rafters.
Because I don't want to win.
I need to.
It doesn't
make me happy.
It makes me a miserable
fucking bastard.
- Well, you can say that again.
- (laughs)
Say it all you want, pal.
I'm fine and dandy with it.
You're the one who's doing
this shit to feel good.
Oh, I'm gonna feel very good
- when I have that
trophy in my hands.
- For a minute.
Then it's on to next year.
You and all the other wannabes
who do it for
the pussy in your lap.
And brag that
you won 50 games
and made the playoffs.
Pretty soon, you'll
realize it ain't worth it.
You'll find
another shiny toy,
a little poorer
for your troubles.
- I can afford a lot of trouble.
- Horse shit.
I know what you spent.
I know what you got.
♪
But maybe I can help
you out with that, too.
- How's that?
- You have some nice
pieces on your roster.
- How about you
unload a few to me?
- (laughs)
That's why you came
to dinner? Red
I may be new,
but I'm not, you know
Then you're dumber
than you look
because this
decade is mine.
That Celtic pride,
that luck of the Irish
your boy West thinks
stole his lunch money?
It's never been
a fuckin' leprechaun.
It's me.
We decided?
- Say the porterhouse was good?
- Waiter: Yes.
- (puts down drink)
- I've decided
I lost my appetite.
- You wanted my advice.
- Jerry: Put it on my tab, Sammy.
Take the offer,
fill your coffers,
and enjoy yourself!
Let's put another
lobster on that.
(jazz continues)
Gotta say it ain't
the worst thing.
Yeah. He says
he got it for me.
(sighs)
Safer than talking
to you outright.
Hmm.
'Cause you got a way, baby.
It's a lovely way,
but that don't make
it nonetheless scary.
Well, if you're scared
it's 'cause you're
doing something wrong.
I call it like I see it.
Yeah.
And how you see it
makes the boy feel bad.
- (sighs)
- I mean,
you're frowning on that
carefree way he moves,
like the only time
he has is forever.
Just like you did once.
The lies you tell.
Before you
found the Lord.
When we were both
out in the rain,
free spirits,
getting down to
the newest tunes
and dances, and you
was putting it on me
- like no one else!
- Ooh!
(laughter)
Hey, it worked.
- Look at all these kids we got.
- (sighs)
All I'm saying is you
seeing where he is
reminds you of
where you were.
And just may conjure up
that green-eyed devil.
I'm happy with my life.
Not saying otherwise,
Christine.
Just saying this is yours.
Ours.
That's his.
Can't live it for him, baby.
(moaning)
Why not?
(grunting)
(panting)
You ever gonna take me somewhere
nicer than this hoopty.
- I know you ain't talking
about the Big Brown Deuce now.
- (laughs)
- This is my girl!
- Just sayin', my daddy
got the dealership.
He got Mercedes.
Could drive one to you in LA.
(laughs) I got into
UCLA Medical School.
But I was thinkin',
you know, since I'ma have
a friend out there, maybe
we could hang out sometime--
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Well, you know,
when the time right,
I-I-I'll call you.
- But you know, with basketball,
I'll be busy and everything.
- Right.
- So it might be a while.
- (clears throat)
- Yeah.
- You know, usually I'm beating
boys off with a stick.
But maybe you still
hung up on Cookie.
- Ain't nobody thinkin'
about no Cookie.
- Mm-hmm.
If anything, Cookie should
be thinking about me.
- I'm the one doing
big things. Yeah.
- Oh yeah?
- (laughs)
- Yeah. Yeah
('70s pop music playing)
♪
(indistinct chatter)
♪
("Rapper's Delight" by
The Sugarhill Gang fades in)
The beat don't stop
until the break of dawn ♪
A said a M-A-S, a T-E-R
a G with a double E ♪
I said I go by
the unforgettable name ♪
Of the man they call
the Master Gee ♪
Well, my name is known ♪
- (car door shuts)
- (song stops)
I ain't trying
to bum rush, fellas.
It'd be nice to get a run
here before I jet off to LA.
Yeah, well, we in
the middle of a game.
You could take my spot.
- Gotta go to work anyway.
- My man.
- Player: Anytime.
- Yeah, y'all do.
- What's up, Cook?
- Cookie: Hey.
Hold this right quick.
Can you watch
that for me?
Thanks.
Don't be like that, Cook.
- Y'all ready to win?
I got you.
- (excited chatter)
- Aight. Your ball.
- Bet.
(funky music playing)
You know Cook's my girl, right?
Brian:
Yeah? I ain't see you
with us at the movies.
Man, you just there 'cause
I'm about to jet off to LA,
and she don't
wanna be alone.
I'm just there
'cause you're a dog.
And the whole town knows it.
Man, you run through
girls like they're nothing.
'Cause to you,
- that's what they are.
- Oh, so you know me?
Yeah, she does, too.
(laughs) Oh, you know I'm
about to fuck you up, right?
You ain't gonna have
a friend in Jesus after this.
♪
Crowd:
Woo! (laughter)
Woman: In your face!
Brian, I'm just glad we
gettin' a chance to talk.
Let's discuss this.
See, I've been
putting it on Cook
for a minute now.
And from what I hear,
you ain't smell hide
nor hair of that pussy.
I'm not with her for her body!
That's the difference
- between you and me.
- Johnson: Oh yeah, that's right.
You think about her soul!
Well, quiet as it's kept
I fucked that, too.
♪
- (crowd cheering)
- Woo!
Get back on deep, Brian!
Let's go! It's coming my way?
Swing!
Let's say you and Cook
get married and all that.
You think she gonna look on
the life you provide for her
and not think on what
it could've been with me?
Crowd:
Oh! Oh!
(cheering, laughter)
Think about that when
you can't pay a bill.
Or get that Christmas gift
our girl really wants.
'Cause she will.
- Ball!
- Hate to be you, my dude!
♪
Get him, man! Oh!
(clapping)
Johnson:
Damn!
You look like our
girl down there!
Face and everything.
Come on, man. Get up.
What, no thank you? What,
you don't wanna talk no more?
I know a lot of reporters
give their right nut
- to talk to Magic.
- Can you just play ball?!
(high-pitched):
Can you just play ball?
You want me to play ball.
Let's play ball.
Give him the ball then!
He open!
(clapping, cheering)
She watchin'.
Come on, Brian.
- Ball!
- (Brian grunts)
♪
(cheering, clapping)
Johnson:
Mm!
Yeah, right there.
That's game.
Take care of yourself, man.
(heavy breathing)
(excited chatter)
- I got dirt on my shirt.
- What did you say to him?
Cook
Cook! I was just playin' ball.
Hey, Brian. You okay, baby?
Talk to me.
- Talk-- Brian, talk to me!
- I was just playing ball!
I just thought I was--
- (engine revs)
- Child: Go!
(sighs)
New wheels.
What you think?
You're an asshole?
Why come?
'Cause I tell dude what
everybody know is true?
You was there.
You ain't say a word.
That's 'cause you liked it.
You don't like him.
You just trying
to make me feel
some type of way.
And which way is that?
I got the whole damn
world on a string,
- but you got me.
- Then why you playin' with me?
I'm here, ain't I?
It's me! Earvin!
Now!
Forever.
Wherever I go, you go.
We us.
(sighs)
(kiss)
But if you want me,
then ditch that motherfucker.
Till then, you can watch me
on TV with everybody else.
(melancholy music playing)
(echoing crowd cheering)
Announcer (echoing):
103 to 102,
Boston in the lead.
2:22 to go.
And West just waved
everybody away.
He wants it to himself.
Lakers are gonna
win or lose this series on
(muttering):
This is your year, Jerry.
This is your fucking year.
Announcer:
When you shut out
Jerry West
(fades out)
(quietly): Stay.
- (TV chatter)
- That's a funeral arrangement.
Is it?
I thought they looked calm.
(laughs) They're for you.
- (crinkling)
- What do you say
to some Italian, huh?
You get dolled up,
take you to Barone's,
some Chianti,
some Bolognese
I see you're
talking to me now.
I know. I've been
a little in my head.
You haven't said a word
to me in three days.
- I'm better now.
- You haven't slept in our bed.
- You haven't even stepped
inside the house.
- I just had to get my feet wet.
The hardest part's
getting started.
- And what's the easy part?
- Karen, there's ups
and downs, you know?
Okay, this is an up.
I'm happy now.
Alright, I'm optimistic,
but I can see it all, Kar.
We got a shot
at winning it all this year,
a championship,
and that is the happiest
I've ever been, I swear to God.
(crowd cheering)
No! No, no, co-- No. I mean,
outside of you and I,
of course.
- I'll have to take
your word for it.
- Karen,
don't, don't,
don't, don't.
- Let's just-- No--
- Jerry!
They're your ups and downs.
I understand that now.
But if I ride that
roller coaster with you,
- I will go crazy.
- You think I wanna
live like this?
You're acting like
I got a choice. I fuckin'
hate this shit, Karen,
but you--
This is basketball.
That's what it takes.
("Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
by Dick Flood)
Out of sight ♪
Out of mind ♪
That's how
the saying goes ♪
And oh, how I wish ♪
It was true ♪
You're out of sight ♪
Maybe so ♪
But in my heart, I know ♪
- (groans)
- I'll never ♪
Get over you ♪
Sophomore year of high school.
We was picked to lose against
this real state powerhouse.
Instead, we blowed 'em out.
Finished the game
with 36 points,
19 rebounds,
18 assists. (laughs)
Everybody said,
"What a game
by this young man,
Earvin Johnson Jr."
(laughs)
Yeah
But this one writer, he said,
"Earvin Johnson ain't
no fun in black and white.
You want the real love,
you need a better name."
Big E, Dr. J
Already taken.
He said, "How about
I call you Magic?"
(crowd chanting):
Magic! Magic! Magic!
Guess I said yes.
Careful, Jun.
Keep rubbing on it,
you gonna wash
the paint right on off.
(quiet laugh)
Just tryin' to keep
that shine on, Pop.
Yeah, that's my boy.
(chuckles)
Keep everybody squinting.
- Pop?
- Yeah?
You think I'm a good man?
What kind of question is that?
Not sure if Mama do.
Your mama is your mama.
Alright? Still got some
point guard in her
from her playing days.
She likes things
how she likes them.
Likes to run the show,
but
she loves her child more.
Hoo! Gimme those keys!
You gonna let me drive this
bad boy while you gone or what?
(opens car door)
It's all you, Pop.
(wind blowing)
(somber music playing)
Wyoming has its
own kind of cold.
It's like a thousand
needles dipped in fire
going through you.
My step-dad Cecil used
to send me out in that
to dig ditches
till my knuckles split.
I used to watch
the blood oozing out.
It was so cold,
it would crystallize.
I couldn't even feel the pain.
By the time I was done,
I'd be chattering so bad,
I thought my teeth would chip.
♪
And then old Cecil
would show up again,
look at me,
and laugh.
And laugh.
- (door opens)
- (footsteps approach)
Last time I set foot in this
dump was '69, game seven.
We were on the ropes that year.
And I walked in here,
I looked up,
and I saw balloons.
Must've been 50,000 of 'em.
Cooke had 'em made up special.
"World Champion Lakers."
(laughing)
Eleven titles with that squad,
and that was the sweetest.
We kept that hot air
right where it belonged.
We got a deal?
I got a flight.
Won't take long.
The fact is, Red
you were dead on.
I thought I could waltz in here
and spend my way to victory,
have a grand old time
along the way.
But you got me thinkin'
about what I really needed.
I need to cut your heart out.
You haven't got it.
Oh, yes, I do.
And I'm gonna beat
your ass with it.
This year. Next year.
Every other year,
and every other you,
until nobody even remembers
Boston or the Celtics
or the great
Red Auerbach ever won
a goddamned thing.
♪
(quiet laugh)
I'll see you when
we play you, kiddo.
(funky bass riff plays)
♪
♪
(sniffs)
(inaudible)
(exhales)
Miss Buss.
- Jeanie: Miss Rothman.
- Ladies,
could you give us
the room, please?
I want to apologize
for everything.
Um
- I-I work for you now, not--
- I overreacted.
Back in Philly,
the arena I worked for
filed bankruptcy.
And I saw it coming.
I looked the other way.
It's hard enough
being the only female.
I didn't wanna be the scold.
But, it wasn't them that
handed out the pink slips
when the place
went belly-up.
(sighs) My dad would
never let that happen.
You left this behind.
I'd like to read it,
if you don't mind.
No, not at all.
Enjoy your salad.
♪
Jerry Buss: Alright!
I need everyone
out here in the office!
Boys, come on out!
Everybody!
You too, Jerry! Let's go!
I need a word with you.
No, me first, Jerry.
Pardon me, Linda.
I'm gonna steal your desk here
so everyone can see me.
Everybody! Let's go!
Gather around.
Don't be shy! Listen up.
The Lakers franchise,
as you know it,
dies right here. Today.
No more covering our asses.
No more settling
for good enough.
From here on out,
we are playing to win!
Every game!
Now, it's gonna
cost me some money,
and that's my business.
But the investment that I need
from each and every one of you
is everything else.
Whatever it takes to
make this organization
a world champion.
(uplifting music playing)
♪
So, Claire.
I'm gonna need some big
ideas from you, alright?
I need you.
Bill, Jerry,
I understand you're
still building the roster,
but I have one question.
What's it take to get us
to the Promised Land?
- Well, I think
we're almost there.
- Jerry Buss: Almost?
Jerry West:
Yeah, there's, uh,
just one piece that doesn't fit.
Do not say Magic Johnson.
No. It's not him.
It's not? Fantastic!
You hear that? That is
progress right there! (laughs)
Who, Jerry?
♪
- It's me.
- (music stops)
Woman: (gasps)
What did he say?
You're gonna have to get
yourself a new head coach.
(takes paper)
(scoffs)
("Somebody's Gonna Lose or Win"
by The Hygrades)
♪
♪
(woman screaming, gasping)
- Man: Come here, bitch!
Get back here!
- (smashing)
(overlapping screaming)
Woman:
He was my son, too.
Man: Bullshit!
Your son is breathing!
He's not rottin' in a box
in the front room.
Damn it, I wish them gooks
had killed you both instead!
Woman:
Leave me alone
and go to hell!
Man:
Your son is still
alive out there,
- just sniveling like
some bleeding mutt!
- Woman: Don't touch me!
Man:
Ah, he's going nowhere.
He never will. He's a nobody.
He's not my son.
He's yours.
- Bitch! Come here!
- (woman screaming)
(shouting, screaming)
Come back here, you bitch!
I'll get your ass!
You're next!
I said, come back here!
Woman:
Leave me alone,
don't touch me!
(overlapping shouting)
Get away from me!
(yelling fades away)
(wind blowing)
(crowd cheering)
Chick Hearn:
Lakers win! Lakers win!
Lakers win!
And Jerry West, long denied,
is finally a champion.
My goodness,
after all those years
and all those losses,
here he is,
in the Promised Land.
And, oh, Lakers fans,
he must be
on top of the world.
Crowd:
Lakers! Lakers! Lakers
(melancholy music playing)
♪
- Woman: I'll have another.
- Bartender: Sure thing.
- (puts down glass)
- (woman sigh)
Still doesn't feel
real, does it?
(sighs)
I was just thinking that.
I'm really going to miss him.
Huh?
Bob?
- (crying)
- (ding)
Oh. Oh, f
Fuck, Jerry. I'm sorry.
I'm here alone.
I didn't know him.
♪
Oh, I just (sighs)
You looked like one of us.
Hm
Oh, I'm sorry
for your loss.
Woman:
I'm sorry for yours.
Whatever it is. (sighs)
I actually
didn't lose for once.
(laughs) I won.
To happy
endings then.
- Yeah, happy endings.
- (clink)
So, what's next?
- (moaning)
- (pounding)
(bed thumping)
(heavy breathing)
(grunting)
("Walkin' You Home"
by Tony Butala)
Wah-wah, wah-wah ♪
Wah-ah ♪
Wah-wah, wah-wah ♪
(sighs) Uh
- Sure you won't stick around?
- Mm. I better get home.
(kiss)
Hm. Were you at
a party or something?
Hm?
I've been looking
for this my whole life.
Woman:
Happy to help.
See you around sometime.
(door opens)
("Is That All There Is?"
by Peggy Lee)
Peggy Lee:
I remember when
I was a little girl
- (door closes)
- our house caught on fire.
I'll never forget the look
on my father's face
as he gathered me
up in his arms
and raced through
the burning building
onto the pavement.
♪
And I stood there
shivering in my pajamas
and watched the whole
world go up in flames.
And when it was all over,
I said to myself
is that all there is
to a fire?
(echoing):
Is that all there is?
(sirens wailing)
("My Favorite Mutiny"
by The Coup playing
♪
There it is ♪
♪
Check it out ♪
Move, if you got the nerve ♪
Lash out for
your just desserts ♪
It's not just the worth ♪
Some of y'all heads
up in the clouds ♪
I'ma bring y'all
back to earth ♪
It's Black back to burn ♪
Bullshit y'all talkin' 'bout ♪
Out ya mouth ♪
I'm not concerned ♪
'Cause y'all got to learn ♪
It's y'all turn
like Detroit Red ♪
When his head
had a Ultra Perm ♪
The long walk'll
burn your bare heels ♪
So throw on your boots ♪
The game camouflaged
like army suits ♪
But I can see it
more clear ♪
'Cause I came with
The Coup in here ♪
Ring the alarm
and form the troops ♪
Send 'em out into the world
Go to war in a fluke ♪
Eye to eye with the enemy
you sworn to shoot ♪
Now comin' at ya neck
sick o' hearin' ♪
Something wrong with me ♪
Motherfucker somethin'
wrong with you ♪
When the chief just
way too smart to question ♪
The enemy the brothers
of a dark complexion ♪
The governments of the world
is shark infested ♪
They heavy on weaponry
like Charlton Heston ♪
Man, yeah,
it gets low here ♪
Real low
Know what I'm talkin' 'bout? ♪
(vocalizing)
Yeah, yo, it gets low ♪
♪
- (static)
- (siren wailing)
Jerry West:
There you go again, Bill!
Pissing on a flat rock
and telling me it's raining!
Bill Sharman:
I just drafted you
two power forwards.
I just coached those scrubs
in summer league.
Shit, fuck,
I'd do better with
two pin-dick toddlers
from your summer camp.
- Hearn: You know what I'd do.
- Jerry West: Fuck off, Chick.
- Sharman: We're not
trading Kareem!
- Jerry Buss: Alright then!
We're not trading
the MVP!
Sounds like smart
basketball, Bill.
This is Maria, by the way.
Have a seat, honey.
Chick, do you mind
mixing me up
a rum and Coke?
- What are you having, hon?
- Sex on the Beach?
- (laughs)
- Frank Mariani:
That's what I like to hear.
You know, we're, uh,
really just getting started.
Uh, nothing too
exciting yet. You know,
might be best to let us
hack the tall grass
and come by and give you
the big picture later.
Yeah. Leave the gardening
to us, huh, Bill?
That's what we used
to do for Cooke.
Right. Well
I like to be a little
more hands-on.
I've got the owners
meeting coming up,
so if you tell me
what we're looking for,
I can keep my ear to the ground,
and see if I can help us out.
No, no, no, no.
You don't do that.
Sharman:
No, what-what Jerry is
trying to say is that
these owner characters,
they're just a little slippery.
(laughs) Come on, boys.
I'm talking about
a championship!
A ring.
The record books.
That is what we're
all doing here, right?
Since when?
Since God invented basketball!
Since God
invented basketball.
- Jerry, Jerry stop.
- Jerry West: No, Bill, no.
Bill, he wants to pretend
we're playing basketball.
Why don't you ask him
why this is
the third year straight
I've been begging
for a solid four,
but he won't buy me
Spencer Haywood.
He's too expensive.
Not to mention he attracts
a certain element,
you know, that whole
"back to Africa" malarkey.
Jerry West:
That sound like
basketball to you?
- Sharman: It's business, Jerry.
- Bingo. Ding-ding.
That's what you won't read
in your sports pages.
Every year,
I tell these jokers
what I need to win it all.
We game it out, we get
all fired up and hard.
Then the man in
your shoes walks in
and we're right back
where we started.
Sellin' popcorn,
sitting on our fuckin' thumbs.
And Jerry West is out there
with the same three stars,
nine scrubs, trying to squeeze
a diamond out of
fuckin' pig shit.
- You know what, fellas?
Fucking do myself a favor
- Sharman: Jerry--
- and fucking spare
myself the emotional
- Indulge me, Jerry.
- Indulge me. Jerry,
tell me what you need.
- Jesus Christ.
(Jerry West sighs)
More than you're
willing to spend.
And you know that how?
- Oh shit.
- You're a businessman.
Y'all want pee from a tree,
but when you see the price,
your sphincter puckers.
(laughing)
Oh. Alright.
Bill, is this
last year's budget?
Yeah, we're still
working on the new one.
- Alright, well, don't bother.
- (throws folder)
Jerry, I told you
when we drafted Johnson,
all the other basketball
was up to you,
and I will give you
whatever you need.
Now, take the week
and come back to me
about what that is.
In the meantime, Maria
you leave the price tag,
and my beautiful sphincter,
up to me.
(scattered laughter)
Come on, Frank!
Sharman:
Shit, Jerry,
I think you just got
everything you always wanted.
(laughing)
♪
Jerry Buss:
Now we can do as much
as we want with a stadium.
David Stern:
Well, th-that's a good point,
Dr. Buss. To my mind,
the NBA should be competing
with the top-tier leagues.
I mean, we-we have the most
exciting sport on the planet,
the best athletes.
There's no reason
we can't be just as popular
as golf or tennis.
- (ding)
- Mariani: Hey, who knows?
Maybe we'll
catch up to bowling.
You're joking, but they're
killing us in the Nielsens.
We're on thin ice with CBS,
and no one else
is beating down the door.
If we're going to survive,
we need big thinkers.
Well, Dave, here we are.
- Let's go say hi. Fred!
- (convention chatter)
Dr. Jerry Buss,
pleasure to finally meet you.
- How's the old lady?
Good. Vince!
- Fred: Great.
How do you do? Dr. Jerry Buss.
Coming out with us tonight?
I don't know.
I'll have to see, Jerry.
You ever had a blow job
with champagne in her mouth?
You're going to love it.
Mr. McComb!
Welcome to Los Angeles, partner.
Texas is bigger,
but we're more fun.
- Welcome to the club.
- Oh, thank you.
It's a great honor.
Hey, I want you to know
I voted for you.
Thank you, Bill.
I appreciate that. I really do.
- He didn't.
- He didn't vote for me?
- He didn't vote for you.
- (laughs)
A lot of people were
against you buying it.
- Mm-hmm.
- See, we've seen some
real estate types before
that buy low, sell high.
No long-term investment
in the future of the league.
Well, the Lakers
are your future, Dave.
- Oh?
- But I'd still like
to meet the past.
- Where's this Auerbach?
- Oh, you mean the Pope?
Follow the white smoke.
- (wind blowing)
- (mystical music playing)
Jerry Buss:
Red Auerbach.
Winner of 13 rings, seven
of them against our club.
No losses.
If you're a Laker,
he's the devil incarnate.
If you're from Boston,
chances are you're Catholic,
but you'd sell
your soul for him.
The networks are turned off
by all this street ball.
The thugs, the fighting.
It scares away decent families.
(laughs)
Don't you worry.
Decent families
have creamed their shorts
for Larry Bird.
The hick with the funny haircut?
That hick is gonna
win me 10 more rings.
- Yeah. He got a brother?
- Hell, I'll take a sister.
- (laughs)
- Jerry Buss: I'll take
the guy who'll beat him!
- Dr. Buss!
- Commissioner. Red!
- Jerry Buss, big fan.
- That won't last long.
Well, I doubt that.
I love a winner.
Well, then you bought
the wrong team.
No one loses quite
like the Lakers.
(laughter)
Jerry Buss:
Well,
I'm fixing to
change that actually.
Was hoping to pick your brain
a little bit about it.
You know, me and the boys
are gonna go out
on the town tonight.
I got the keys
to Hefner's place,
if you wanna come along.
(laughs) I bet you do.
(pats leg)
You fellas go
get your kicks.
- I got a basketball team to run.
- (puts down lighter)
Commissioner.
Sure thing.
Earvin Johnson:
Aight, y'all.
Take care of me now.
No scratching up
my mama's walls.
- Don't worry, man,
we got you.
- Aight.
Yo, what I heard true?
They give you 500,000?
- (whispers):
Fuck's wrong with you?
- What?
Just wanna know
what it feels like.
- All that money.
- It feels good, man.
Feel real good. (laughs)
For me though,
it ain't about the money.
It's about the love.
What's up, Mikey?
Tell your brother
I owe him that rematch too.
- (party chatter)
- Big bro! What's up, baby?
Man:
When you going
to training camp?
- Earvin Johnson Sr.:
Hey, Junior!
- What's up, Pop?
- Settle something
for your old man.
- Yes, sir.
What's the most points
you scored in high school?
- Forty-eight.
- Johnson Sr.: See?
See what?
I got 12 in a quarter.
- (laughs)
- Friend: You was king
of the air ball!
I used to dunk
on him so much,
his head used to
smell like my nuts.
That's why he
lost all that hair!
(overlapping laughter, chatter)
- Folks in Lansing
love their boy.
- Hey, EJ.
Mm, Cindy.
(party chatter continues)
What I tell you?
They all just rootin' me on.
All one big, happy f
(chatter continues)
family.
We-we right here. Look.
- Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Don't look actually.
- (sighs)
Alright, one more step.
Okay. Turn a little bit.
Alright.
Open your eyes.
What you think?
I think I know how
my wall got scuffed.
Don't worry about
none of that, Ma.
Them construction cats,
they gonna put it in real nice,
and they gonna
clean up your walls.
And trample all my floors
and tear my bathroom to pieces.
No.
- Where-where'd you
get this thing from?
- I bought it.
Look, Ma, it got these
fancy jets and everything,
just like the one
in that commercial
that was always liking.
Camay leaves me looking
clean and creamy.
Everywhere.
You bought this house, too,
with that Laker money,
or is this still mine to see to?
- 'Course it is, Ma.
- Hmm.
You should have consulted me.
Ma, how am I supposed
to surprise you
when I go sayin'
what I'm gonna do
- before I do it?
- Oh, I see.
So this is for me then?
So I can forget about you
skipping school this summer.
Ma, it ain't got nothin' to
do with my diploma. For real!
Right hand to God. Soon as--
As soon as the season over,
I'm back at it.
Oh, well, that sounds good.
So, I can just take
your word for it
and soak my cares away?
- You're supposed to be happy.
- (scoffs)
You know what?
You were baptized in a tub
just this size.
And the water hit,
and you didn't cry.
You didn't make a sound.
And I thought to myself,
well, this kid
is in lockstep
with the Lord.
All I got to do
is raise him right.
And Lord knows I tried.
Just 'cause I ain't takin'
no geography this summer?
Because you think
you can buy me
with a bathtub and a smile.
It ain't that, Ma.
I want you to stand
on your feet.
I want you to have
something to fall back on.
And your soul.
Because when these fans
are gone and, believe me,
- they will, mark my words--
- Ma, they ain't going nowhere!
Whole city full of love!
Why that ain't enough for you?
I was tryin' to make you happy.
I was happy with my old tub.
(kicks tub)
(birds chirping)
Karen:
Good luck. He's been in
there since yesterday.
Hasn't said a word,
just locked the door.
He gets this
before the season.
Karen:
And after the season and during
the season and All-Star break,
- and sometimes just
because it's Tuesday.
- Yeah, well, he lives
and breathes basketball.
That's why we love him.
- Fuck off, Bill.
- (knocking)
Jerry West:
Fuck off, Bill.
(sighs)
The love in this house.
Karen:
I'm leaving lunch!
You're welcome.
Oh shit.
Are you kidding me?
Jesus fuckin' Christ.
- (grunting)
- (blinds rattling)
Ah! Ah! Fuck! Shit!
(panting)
Leave me alone. I'm working.
I see that.
- (golf clubs rattling)
- (Bill sputters)
This place reeks like
a gym sock farted.
Get out then.
Have you thought
about showering?
Good thoughts come in
when you're showering.
What's the point?
Who wins, who plays,
who loses.
We all end up the same anyway.
Fuckin' worm food. Dead.
Well, that's one perspective.
- The only one.
- (sighs) Jerry
- (blinds rattling)
- I've listened to you
bitch for 10 years.
About wanting
the right ingredients,
and this guy is
giving you carte blanche
for the perfect meal.
I will give you
whatever you need.
Fuck. As long as there's
a fuckin' onion in it.
What, are you still on
about Johnson? (laughs)
(sighs)
You know what I think?
It ain't Johnson. It's you.
You're afraid if you get
everything you asked for,
you won't have an excuse.
Fuck you, Bill! Fuck you!
I don't need no excuse!
And I fuckin'
sure as shit don't need
no fuckin'
six-foot-nine-inch forward
playing dress-up as
a fuckin' point guard!
No, if it was up to me,
I'd take the ball
out of his hands
and stick him in the fuckin'
post where he belongs.
Then do it.
- Buss' never gonna--
- He said you had to
play the kid, not how.
What are you afraid of?
He's gonna fire you?
I mean, this job makes
you fuckin' miserable.
It's a win-win situation!
- Fuck you, I love my job.
- Then do it.
Could work.
It could be fucking--
It could be good.
♪
I'll have to talk
to Kareem first.
This could work.
Fuck goddammit, dude!
This is the fuckin'
business, huh?!
Why the fuck
you standing there, Bill?
I got work to do!
- It's hot in LA, right?
- Hot.
- Sun is all over you.
- All over you.
- So what do you want when
it's hot on the outside?
- Tell him what they want.
- Quincy: You want ice.
But not just any old ice.
- Larry: Ice.
Both:
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
- You want some ice
with some taste in it.
- Mm-hm. Tell him what they want.
- You want Tasty Ice.
- You want Tasty Ice.
Christine Johnson: Ladies,
you should see this gift
- that my Earvin gave me. A tub!
- Ladies: Oh?
Just like
the white lady on TV.
(cheering, laughing)
- This soap leave me soft and
- Yeah.
Yeah? Like
Like yeah, you in?
- (ladies laughing)
- Hey, why don't y'all hit me
with a business plan?
Then, we can see what's what.
We-we just told you
the business plan.
People's gonna eat ice
and give us money.
No, we'll be right back
with th-that business plan.
- Right.
- Quincy: We'll be right back.
We'll be back.
Cookie:
Hello, Earvin.
Hey, Cook. Glad you came.
(R&B music playing)
Hey, EJ.
'Sup, Brian.
I saw your mother
at Bible study.
Said we should
stop by.
Wanted to see you off.
Yeah?
Don't you work at
Happy Shoes on Sunday?
When you're the manager,
you make the schedule.
- Oh yeah,
you is the manager. Yeah.
- Yeah.
Congrats on the draft,
by the way.
That's a big deal.
- Hey, congrats on manager.
- Yeah. (laughs) Yeah, thanks.
Maybe you could stop by
the store sometime
before you leave.
- The kids would love it.
- Mm, I'm sure they would.
They see you
every day, so
Christine Johnson:
Brian, is that you?
Son, get in here!
I need your big brain
on this fish fry.
- Come on!
- Be right over, Sister Johnson.
- Oh
- You got a great mama, man.
Love her to death.
Excuse me.
So that's why you came through?
To show me up with that sucker?
I came
- Mm-hmm.
- to say how proud
of you I am.
And that if you need
anything, I'm here.
Anything?
I almost forgot who
I was talkin' to.
But, for real.
You need an ear or friend,
you know where I'm at.
Cook
- Okay? You already know.
- Mm-hm.
Quincy:
Man, EJ, you were right.
You were right.
We did need a business plan.
- And we sure enough got one.
- Boom.
- Two words.
- Quincy: Two.
- Blue
- (giggles)
- Berry.
- Quincy: Ooh!
Ain't nobody got that.
- Larry: Nobody! Nobody
- Quincy: Not Tastee-Freez.
♪
Well, it took all night
and my pisher grandson
spit up on
the revenue distinction,
but I think I cracked a budget
that might do the trick.
- Maybe the barf
will cover the red ink.
- (scoffs) No hiding that.
But run down to my car
and check the math.
- I've got a hot date
with the books.
- Mm-hm.
Love of my life.
(quietly): Alright.
(slams drawer)
Where the fuck are the books?
Officer:
So this burglary,
there were no valuables.
- It was just files?
- Not just files. Our financials.
It's 20 years of budgets,
balance sheets.
- Frank took them.
- It's everything.
It's the whole goddamn business.
Um, Frank took them.
- What?
- Uh, Uncle Frank?
- Frank Mariani, my Dad's--
- Yeah, I know who he is.
Yeah, he came by after hours
with a few guys and some boxes.
- He said it was okay--
- Claire Rothman: Okay by who?
Um, I don't know.
I figured that
he talked to you--
Jeanie, it's not
your job to figure.
Your job is to pour coffee.
Your job is to refill
the fucking stapler!
And your job is to
make sure that people
don't break into my office
like the Watergate burglars
and make off with
my goddamn books!
- I didn't know he hadn't--
- (door slams)
- (banging)
- Rothman: Fuck!
(phone ringing)
(typing)
Sorry. (sighs)
It'll be just a minute.
(typing continues)
Rothman:
Don't try number six.
Unless you want to
burn the bedspread.
Jerry Buss:
It's a win-win,
I'm telling ya.
You get yourself
a beautiful
oceanfront building,
and my team
gets a rebounder!
Maria,
you remember Arn?
Hi, Arn.
Hi, Arn
I mean I'm Arn.
Let's close this thing,
alright? Claire.
She closes more deals
than the lawyers.
Ha. I'll bet she does.
Sounds like you're trying
to free up some capital.
(sighs) Can't take it
with you, Claire.
What's your drink?
I'm buying.
I'm just a little
bit concerned.
- (ice clinking)
- What for? It's after
breakfast, isn't it?
Uh, see, ordinarily
with Mr. Cooke,
I'd walk him through
the books myself.
- But your partner
- Right.
Mr. Mariani came by
my office unannounced.
Are you kiddin' me?
Goddamn
I told him
to talk to you about
that first and, you know,
you can't control
everything they do.
That's Frank for you.
So anyway, you strike me
as a gin gal.
- I get that right?
- You got me.
Talent of mine.
I can always tell.
Have a seat!
Look, Mister, uh,
Dr. Buss--
Jerry. Jerry.
I don't know how
you run your business,
but those books are
how I do my job, okay?
Keeping the balance sheet
in check,
overseeing expenditures,
protecting you.
These are my responsibilities.
Those were your
responsibilities.
See, if I have her
lookin' after the books,
then she'll see we're
stretched a little thin,
and that kind of thing is
not great for morale.
Claire,
forget about the numbers.
I already have
somebody for that.
You've asked me to stay on.
Because I see
a bigger role for you.
I want you innovating. Now,
you have the Forum booked for,
what, 220 nights a year?
- 217.
- Not bad.
But the way I see it,
if we can just boost that
number up a little bit,
say, to 260 nights,
well then,
we're turnin' a profit.
And if you can get me
to 365 days a year,
- well then, we're
cookin' with gas.
- Uh, Dr. Buss,
no arena in the country is
booked every night, okay?
Madison Square Garden,
Caesars Palace.
Every place goes dark.
Well, they're not in
the city of sunshine, right?
Claire
Let's talk turkey.
What turns you on?
What gets your
blood pumping?
Because, me,
I don't even get out of bed
unless I have a hard-on
about something.
- So, what excites you?
- All right.
What is it going to take
for you to turn the Forum
itself into an attraction?
Money. Advertising,
marketing, refurbishments.
All of those are expensive.
- How much?
- It would help if I had
access to a budget.
You have access to me.
I'm the budget.
Now, be creative.
No idea is too big.
We are building
Shangri-La.
Jessie Buss:
Well, you have really
done it this time, Gerald.
Bought your way into
a grade-A money pit.
- (ding)
- (cash register rings)
Ma, it's the Lakers!
It's gonna be like
a family business,
but bigger and better.
I thought you already
got bigger and better.
That's why you
and little meatball
moved me on to greener pastures.
I know where
the bodies are buried.
Because she's the one
who buried 'em!
Lot of thanks I get.
Make mine a bourbon and soda.
- Jerry: You've had enough.
- Jessie: Since when?
- 1962?
- (Jessie laughs)
- You want me old before my time.
- (pouring)
Dee! Dee! Dee!
I did it! I poured you one.
You don't have soda.
You're just lazy.
Gerald, Gerald.
And why the Lakers?
There's no lakes around here.
Jerry:
I can't believe
you're not excited.
This puts our family
in a very elite club.
Okay? Tycoons.
You know, the people who
actually run the country.
Captains of industry.
What industry? Sweat socks?
No! Show business!
Forget Louis B. Mayer!
We're gonna be the next
moguls in this town.
You, me, Jeanie, the boys,
when they come back.
We're gonna be a dynasty.
And then you'll be satisfied?
- I'm gonna be thrilled.
- Hooey!
Then you'll just start
chasing something else.
- (sighs) Ma
- What?
I love you,
and I will see you
whenever I don't remember
what it's like to see you.
Leave the books,
I'll do the taxes.
(radio playing,
indistinct singing)
Best to keep your dirty laundry
in the family, don't you think?
- This is a big deal!
And you should be happier!
- Oh, I'm thrilled.
I'm gonna stick
his fuckin' ass
right in the post.
Fuck, I love this shit
point guard, I'm the coach!
Yes! It's fucking showtime!
Come on, showtime.
I've always had a soft
spot for you, Norman.
You've always had
a place right here.
God fucking damn it!
Get your fucking eyes up!
Trade you for a fucking mule!
But I swear to God,
there is no one,
and I mean it, fuckin'
no one I would rather have
running my offense than
Stormin' Norman Nixon.
Stormin' Norman Nixon!
What kind of fucking
name is that anyway?!
(laughs)
What's all this
shit about, Jerry?
See, that's why I like you,
Norm. A straight shooter.
Come on!
Been a lot of chat,
a lot of bullshit in
the fuckin' press.
You know,
this new kid comin' in,
snug-buggin' with the owner.
I see how that agitates
a guy like you.
Seasoned pro.
A man who worked
damn fuckin' hard
to make it in this league.
I want you to rest assured,
Norm, you're on solid ground.
You're the point guard, Norm.
Not him.
- You call yourself
a fuckin' point guard?!
- Says who?
Me, Coach.
The guy who decides.
So, Buss is cool with
paying half a million bucks
to sit this motherfucker on
a bench and watch him smile?
Buss is giving me free rein.
No more meddling, man.
Shackles the fuck off.
- Shackles off.
- He's giving me
the control.
I need to get this team
over the fuckin' hump.
'Cause that's what
we've been missing.
Fuckin' jewelry on a fuckin'
basketball court!
More control from you.
Exactly.
Okay, so my uncle
owns a store in Simi.
It's called Patio Brothers.
They are looking for a venue
for their annual convention.
And he's considered
by many the king
- of chaise lounges.
- What else?
First AME would take
the Forum every Sunday.
What if the Lakers
are playing on a Sunday?
- Linda: They'd have
to find another venue.
- The church?
- Linda: The team.
- Next.
Jeanie:
I have something. Maybe.
(stirring)
I've been, uh, digging
through the Billboard charts,
and it's been three years
since any top-10 acts
toured through the Forum.
It's our acoustics.
Right! Right.
And I-I know
we've seen some bids
on a new sound system,
but, I mean, honestly,
I don't think that's the point.
Th-this is Hollywood.
We don't need to make
the Forum sound good.
We just need to make it cool.
I have a few ideas,
if you're interested at all--
We're out of creamer.
Right.
(door opens)
- Just to be clear,
that's a no on Patio Brothers.
- (door shuts)
- Maude: That's a fuck no, Lon.
- Lon: Uh,
they're coming out with
a "Rocky 2," apparently,
so I'm thinking giant
screening at the Forum.
We can get Stallone.
- We could
- Maude: You got his number?
♪
(birds chirping)
(jazz music playing)
- Hey, Jer.
He's ready for you now.
- Huh?
Oh, good, good.
- Cheryl: You two have fun.
- Here's the big guy.
Hoo-wee!
Huh? Look at this.
Nice and peaceful, huh?
You know, I come by
'cause I want you
to know that I'm
well, I'm sensitive to
your frustrations, Cap.
I mean, shit, ever
since we traded Kermit,
you've been out there
gettin' fuckin' rag-dolled.
Respectfully, of course.
But that don't make it
fuckin' right!
Everybody beatin' on you.
Double and tripling
you in the post,
eating six elbows for
every fuckin' rebound!
Then, taking it up the ass
from the fucking press
when you're the one
carrying the goddamn team!
Fuck, I respect you too much to
see you go through that again.
Which is why I'm here.
You have a proposal.
I'm playing Johnson
at the fucking four.
I mean, he'll he'll spell
Norm a little off the bench,
but his main duties
would be carrying your water,
watching your back,
eating those fucking elbows
so you don't have to.
We're gonna kick his ass
in training camp.
I'll feed him so much
fuckin' steak and gunpowder,
he craps the happy out.
Look, the point is
this is our year, Cap!
You and me! The brass ring!
The guys who
live and die for it,
married to the game!
- (book pages flipping)
- (Kareem sighs)
Let me know when
training camp starts.
What you readin'? Good book?
Ah. Yeah.
It's on my list.
Well
assalamu alaikum.
Wa-alaikum salam.
('70s music playing)
Johnson:
I seen her looking at that
tub since I was little.
Every day,
she'd be watching her stories,
and there she is,
drool all down her chin.
Now, I go and get it for her,
and from the look on her face,
you would've thought
I called her everything
but a child of God.
(laughs) Wouldn't know
it from the outside.
- You think I'm playin'?
- I think I know your mama.
She gives you that
cold side. Meanwhile,
she's all around town,
telling everybody with ears
how great you are.
"Oh, my son Earvin this.
Oh, my son, Earvin that."
If she was a peacock,
her tail feathers
would have been fell off.
- What you sayin', I don't
know nothing about.
- (laughs)
- You know she loves you.
- Then why her love always got
a big ol' carrot
dangling in front of you?
Everything I do gotta be her way
or she ain't having none of it.
Can't imagine what
that must feel like.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- You!
On top of the world,
but just can't stand it.
Coming here on
Brian's day off,
get me to talk about
your mama. Then what?
Get me in the stockroom?
He hit it yet?
(sighs) I know
this game, Earvin.
Want everyone your way,
just like your mama.
Johnson:
Now, don't tell me
he's saving it for marriage.
All goody-goody up in church,
smiling and whatnot.
Now, he'd make my mama happy.
Last you said you wasn't gonna
be alone. Why should I be?
I ain't sayin' you should be.
You do you.
But that don't mean that
we can't do us though.
Cook
Don't be like that.
Hey, hey.
I love you.
Not as much as you love you.
The rest of us just
comin' off the bench.
♪
(clicks tongue)
- (moaning, groaning)
- (car squeaking)
(heavy breathing)
- Hoo
- (church bells ringing)
Come on.
Church about to let out.
Hoo-wee.
Shit ooh.
- (opens door)
- Needed that. Hoo!
♪
(indistinct crowd chatter)
I'm out here
on your lawn ♪
Johnson:
What's up, Brother William?
Brother William:
Basketball man!
- Woman: Hey, sunshine.
- Johnson: Good day
for a fish fry!
(continues, indistinct)
What's up, Cook?
Looking lovely, as usual.
Hey, Ma. Sorry, I had
to get some fresh air.
You know, uh, our-our
stained glass window
of the Savior can use
a little tender loving care--
Say less, Pastor, say less.
Let's fix that Jesus now.
Oh, look at that.
It don't fit.
Pastor:
Lord, Junior! God bless you!
God bless you, too,
Pastor Greene.
Anything for the church.
- Anything for the church.
- You got a fine son there,
Sister Johnson.
- (kiss)
- Yes. Yes Yes, he is.
- Pastor: Working in the kingdom.
- Johnson: Yes, sir!
I'm about to get a plate, Ma.
Love you!
Pastor:
God bless you again, Junior.
God bless you.
Amen, amen.
(pastor continues, indistinct)
Waiter? What's this fly
doing in my soup?
- Waiter: The backstroke, sir.
- (glasses clink)
Dr. Buss! Welcome, sir.
Bruno!
Red.
I am so glad you called.
I'm a little surprised
you did, but I'm glad.
- Had to eat somewhere.
- Well, we picked a good place.
- Come on in.
- Bruno: We have your
regular table, sir.
Jerry:
Fantastic. I feel like
I just won a date
with the Playmate
of the Year. (laughs)
Linda. That lawsuit
is embarrassing.
Billy! You know what
I'm asking for, right?
- Little bit of Louis Prima.
- (laughs) Great choice!
How are you, pal?
I wanna introduce you
to some people
before we sit down
if that's alright, Red.
Ladies! May I introduce
the Great Red Auerbach.
- The winningest man in
basketball right here.
- (impressed murmuring)
This is a very special moment
you're having. Trust me.
We'll get to know these gals
a little bit later, alright?
The girls are gonna
join us for dessert,
you know what I mean?
What do we got here, Bruno?
Corner table?
(laughs)
Bruno: Rum and Coke, sir?
Yes. Keep 'em coming, Bruno!
- Red, what're you having?
- Scotch.
- The good stuff! Thank you.
- Bruno: Thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir.
That play work for you
in real estate?
What's that?
Get the sucker thinking
with his little head,
not his big one?
(laughs) There's that
famous Celtic defense.
No. Come on.
You're a student of
the game, I take it.
Yeah. Look, Red
I know I'm still
the freshman of the class,
and you're
the big man on campus.
I get that.
I respect it.
But I wanted to meet because
I'm asking for your help.
I'm trying to build
something out here
like you built in Boston.
Like a real dynasty.
And frankly, I think that
would be good for the league.
(smooth jazz playing)
(laughing) Sor--
What?
You think you're the guy
to do that, do you?
Well, I wouldn't count me out.
(sighs)
You strike me
as a happy man.
You only get so
many summers, right?
- Then here's my advice.
- Okay.
Enjoy this thing. Milk it.
For the nookie,
for the attention.
Leave the dynasties to me.
(jazz continues)
Come on now, Red.
You afraid of competition?
(laughs) No.
I live for competition,
but you're no competitor.
It's nothing to be ashamed of.
It's just not who you are.
- It's not your nature.
- Alright.
You know, Red, we just met
(clears throat)
so you don't know me.
But I grew up dirt poor,
- on breadlines.
- Yeah. Made all the money
in the world.
- And you think you
can buy this, too?
- No.
I think I can win this.
(laughing)
Championships aren't won.
They're taken.
By men like me,
who'd cut your heart out
and still sleep like a baby
for one more banner
in the rafters.
Because I don't want to win.
I need to.
It doesn't
make me happy.
It makes me a miserable
fucking bastard.
- Well, you can say that again.
- (laughs)
Say it all you want, pal.
I'm fine and dandy with it.
You're the one who's doing
this shit to feel good.
Oh, I'm gonna feel very good
- when I have that
trophy in my hands.
- For a minute.
Then it's on to next year.
You and all the other wannabes
who do it for
the pussy in your lap.
And brag that
you won 50 games
and made the playoffs.
Pretty soon, you'll
realize it ain't worth it.
You'll find
another shiny toy,
a little poorer
for your troubles.
- I can afford a lot of trouble.
- Horse shit.
I know what you spent.
I know what you got.
♪
But maybe I can help
you out with that, too.
- How's that?
- You have some nice
pieces on your roster.
- How about you
unload a few to me?
- (laughs)
That's why you came
to dinner? Red
I may be new,
but I'm not, you know
Then you're dumber
than you look
because this
decade is mine.
That Celtic pride,
that luck of the Irish
your boy West thinks
stole his lunch money?
It's never been
a fuckin' leprechaun.
It's me.
We decided?
- Say the porterhouse was good?
- Waiter: Yes.
- (puts down drink)
- I've decided
I lost my appetite.
- You wanted my advice.
- Jerry: Put it on my tab, Sammy.
Take the offer,
fill your coffers,
and enjoy yourself!
Let's put another
lobster on that.
(jazz continues)
Gotta say it ain't
the worst thing.
Yeah. He says
he got it for me.
(sighs)
Safer than talking
to you outright.
Hmm.
'Cause you got a way, baby.
It's a lovely way,
but that don't make
it nonetheless scary.
Well, if you're scared
it's 'cause you're
doing something wrong.
I call it like I see it.
Yeah.
And how you see it
makes the boy feel bad.
- (sighs)
- I mean,
you're frowning on that
carefree way he moves,
like the only time
he has is forever.
Just like you did once.
The lies you tell.
Before you
found the Lord.
When we were both
out in the rain,
free spirits,
getting down to
the newest tunes
and dances, and you
was putting it on me
- like no one else!
- Ooh!
(laughter)
Hey, it worked.
- Look at all these kids we got.
- (sighs)
All I'm saying is you
seeing where he is
reminds you of
where you were.
And just may conjure up
that green-eyed devil.
I'm happy with my life.
Not saying otherwise,
Christine.
Just saying this is yours.
Ours.
That's his.
Can't live it for him, baby.
(moaning)
Why not?
(grunting)
(panting)
You ever gonna take me somewhere
nicer than this hoopty.
- I know you ain't talking
about the Big Brown Deuce now.
- (laughs)
- This is my girl!
- Just sayin', my daddy
got the dealership.
He got Mercedes.
Could drive one to you in LA.
(laughs) I got into
UCLA Medical School.
But I was thinkin',
you know, since I'ma have
a friend out there, maybe
we could hang out sometime--
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Well, you know,
when the time right,
I-I-I'll call you.
- But you know, with basketball,
I'll be busy and everything.
- Right.
- So it might be a while.
- (clears throat)
- Yeah.
- You know, usually I'm beating
boys off with a stick.
But maybe you still
hung up on Cookie.
- Ain't nobody thinkin'
about no Cookie.
- Mm-hmm.
If anything, Cookie should
be thinking about me.
- I'm the one doing
big things. Yeah.
- Oh yeah?
- (laughs)
- Yeah. Yeah
('70s pop music playing)
♪
(indistinct chatter)
♪
("Rapper's Delight" by
The Sugarhill Gang fades in)
The beat don't stop
until the break of dawn ♪
A said a M-A-S, a T-E-R
a G with a double E ♪
I said I go by
the unforgettable name ♪
Of the man they call
the Master Gee ♪
Well, my name is known ♪
- (car door shuts)
- (song stops)
I ain't trying
to bum rush, fellas.
It'd be nice to get a run
here before I jet off to LA.
Yeah, well, we in
the middle of a game.
You could take my spot.
- Gotta go to work anyway.
- My man.
- Player: Anytime.
- Yeah, y'all do.
- What's up, Cook?
- Cookie: Hey.
Hold this right quick.
Can you watch
that for me?
Thanks.
Don't be like that, Cook.
- Y'all ready to win?
I got you.
- (excited chatter)
- Aight. Your ball.
- Bet.
(funky music playing)
You know Cook's my girl, right?
Brian:
Yeah? I ain't see you
with us at the movies.
Man, you just there 'cause
I'm about to jet off to LA,
and she don't
wanna be alone.
I'm just there
'cause you're a dog.
And the whole town knows it.
Man, you run through
girls like they're nothing.
'Cause to you,
- that's what they are.
- Oh, so you know me?
Yeah, she does, too.
(laughs) Oh, you know I'm
about to fuck you up, right?
You ain't gonna have
a friend in Jesus after this.
♪
Crowd:
Woo! (laughter)
Woman: In your face!
Brian, I'm just glad we
gettin' a chance to talk.
Let's discuss this.
See, I've been
putting it on Cook
for a minute now.
And from what I hear,
you ain't smell hide
nor hair of that pussy.
I'm not with her for her body!
That's the difference
- between you and me.
- Johnson: Oh yeah, that's right.
You think about her soul!
Well, quiet as it's kept
I fucked that, too.
♪
- (crowd cheering)
- Woo!
Get back on deep, Brian!
Let's go! It's coming my way?
Swing!
Let's say you and Cook
get married and all that.
You think she gonna look on
the life you provide for her
and not think on what
it could've been with me?
Crowd:
Oh! Oh!
(cheering, laughter)
Think about that when
you can't pay a bill.
Or get that Christmas gift
our girl really wants.
'Cause she will.
- Ball!
- Hate to be you, my dude!
♪
Get him, man! Oh!
(clapping)
Johnson:
Damn!
You look like our
girl down there!
Face and everything.
Come on, man. Get up.
What, no thank you? What,
you don't wanna talk no more?
I know a lot of reporters
give their right nut
- to talk to Magic.
- Can you just play ball?!
(high-pitched):
Can you just play ball?
You want me to play ball.
Let's play ball.
Give him the ball then!
He open!
(clapping, cheering)
She watchin'.
Come on, Brian.
- Ball!
- (Brian grunts)
♪
(cheering, clapping)
Johnson:
Mm!
Yeah, right there.
That's game.
Take care of yourself, man.
(heavy breathing)
(excited chatter)
- I got dirt on my shirt.
- What did you say to him?
Cook
Cook! I was just playin' ball.
Hey, Brian. You okay, baby?
Talk to me.
- Talk-- Brian, talk to me!
- I was just playing ball!
I just thought I was--
- (engine revs)
- Child: Go!
(sighs)
New wheels.
What you think?
You're an asshole?
Why come?
'Cause I tell dude what
everybody know is true?
You was there.
You ain't say a word.
That's 'cause you liked it.
You don't like him.
You just trying
to make me feel
some type of way.
And which way is that?
I got the whole damn
world on a string,
- but you got me.
- Then why you playin' with me?
I'm here, ain't I?
It's me! Earvin!
Now!
Forever.
Wherever I go, you go.
We us.
(sighs)
(kiss)
But if you want me,
then ditch that motherfucker.
Till then, you can watch me
on TV with everybody else.
(melancholy music playing)
(echoing crowd cheering)
Announcer (echoing):
103 to 102,
Boston in the lead.
2:22 to go.
And West just waved
everybody away.
He wants it to himself.
Lakers are gonna
win or lose this series on
(muttering):
This is your year, Jerry.
This is your fucking year.
Announcer:
When you shut out
Jerry West
(fades out)
(quietly): Stay.
- (TV chatter)
- That's a funeral arrangement.
Is it?
I thought they looked calm.
(laughs) They're for you.
- (crinkling)
- What do you say
to some Italian, huh?
You get dolled up,
take you to Barone's,
some Chianti,
some Bolognese
I see you're
talking to me now.
I know. I've been
a little in my head.
You haven't said a word
to me in three days.
- I'm better now.
- You haven't slept in our bed.
- You haven't even stepped
inside the house.
- I just had to get my feet wet.
The hardest part's
getting started.
- And what's the easy part?
- Karen, there's ups
and downs, you know?
Okay, this is an up.
I'm happy now.
Alright, I'm optimistic,
but I can see it all, Kar.
We got a shot
at winning it all this year,
a championship,
and that is the happiest
I've ever been, I swear to God.
(crowd cheering)
No! No, no, co-- No. I mean,
outside of you and I,
of course.
- I'll have to take
your word for it.
- Karen,
don't, don't,
don't, don't.
- Let's just-- No--
- Jerry!
They're your ups and downs.
I understand that now.
But if I ride that
roller coaster with you,
- I will go crazy.
- You think I wanna
live like this?
You're acting like
I got a choice. I fuckin'
hate this shit, Karen,
but you--
This is basketball.
That's what it takes.
("Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
by Dick Flood)
Out of sight ♪
Out of mind ♪
That's how
the saying goes ♪
And oh, how I wish ♪
It was true ♪
You're out of sight ♪
Maybe so ♪
But in my heart, I know ♪
- (groans)
- I'll never ♪
Get over you ♪
Sophomore year of high school.
We was picked to lose against
this real state powerhouse.
Instead, we blowed 'em out.
Finished the game
with 36 points,
19 rebounds,
18 assists. (laughs)
Everybody said,
"What a game
by this young man,
Earvin Johnson Jr."
(laughs)
Yeah
But this one writer, he said,
"Earvin Johnson ain't
no fun in black and white.
You want the real love,
you need a better name."
Big E, Dr. J
Already taken.
He said, "How about
I call you Magic?"
(crowd chanting):
Magic! Magic! Magic!
Guess I said yes.
Careful, Jun.
Keep rubbing on it,
you gonna wash
the paint right on off.
(quiet laugh)
Just tryin' to keep
that shine on, Pop.
Yeah, that's my boy.
(chuckles)
Keep everybody squinting.
- Pop?
- Yeah?
You think I'm a good man?
What kind of question is that?
Not sure if Mama do.
Your mama is your mama.
Alright? Still got some
point guard in her
from her playing days.
She likes things
how she likes them.
Likes to run the show,
but
she loves her child more.
Hoo! Gimme those keys!
You gonna let me drive this
bad boy while you gone or what?
(opens car door)
It's all you, Pop.
(wind blowing)
(somber music playing)
Wyoming has its
own kind of cold.
It's like a thousand
needles dipped in fire
going through you.
My step-dad Cecil used
to send me out in that
to dig ditches
till my knuckles split.
I used to watch
the blood oozing out.
It was so cold,
it would crystallize.
I couldn't even feel the pain.
By the time I was done,
I'd be chattering so bad,
I thought my teeth would chip.
♪
And then old Cecil
would show up again,
look at me,
and laugh.
And laugh.
- (door opens)
- (footsteps approach)
Last time I set foot in this
dump was '69, game seven.
We were on the ropes that year.
And I walked in here,
I looked up,
and I saw balloons.
Must've been 50,000 of 'em.
Cooke had 'em made up special.
"World Champion Lakers."
(laughing)
Eleven titles with that squad,
and that was the sweetest.
We kept that hot air
right where it belonged.
We got a deal?
I got a flight.
Won't take long.
The fact is, Red
you were dead on.
I thought I could waltz in here
and spend my way to victory,
have a grand old time
along the way.
But you got me thinkin'
about what I really needed.
I need to cut your heart out.
You haven't got it.
Oh, yes, I do.
And I'm gonna beat
your ass with it.
This year. Next year.
Every other year,
and every other you,
until nobody even remembers
Boston or the Celtics
or the great
Red Auerbach ever won
a goddamned thing.
♪
(quiet laugh)
I'll see you when
we play you, kiddo.
(funky bass riff plays)
♪
♪
(sniffs)
(inaudible)
(exhales)
Miss Buss.
- Jeanie: Miss Rothman.
- Ladies,
could you give us
the room, please?
I want to apologize
for everything.
Um
- I-I work for you now, not--
- I overreacted.
Back in Philly,
the arena I worked for
filed bankruptcy.
And I saw it coming.
I looked the other way.
It's hard enough
being the only female.
I didn't wanna be the scold.
But, it wasn't them that
handed out the pink slips
when the place
went belly-up.
(sighs) My dad would
never let that happen.
You left this behind.
I'd like to read it,
if you don't mind.
No, not at all.
Enjoy your salad.
♪
Jerry Buss: Alright!
I need everyone
out here in the office!
Boys, come on out!
Everybody!
You too, Jerry! Let's go!
I need a word with you.
No, me first, Jerry.
Pardon me, Linda.
I'm gonna steal your desk here
so everyone can see me.
Everybody! Let's go!
Gather around.
Don't be shy! Listen up.
The Lakers franchise,
as you know it,
dies right here. Today.
No more covering our asses.
No more settling
for good enough.
From here on out,
we are playing to win!
Every game!
Now, it's gonna
cost me some money,
and that's my business.
But the investment that I need
from each and every one of you
is everything else.
Whatever it takes to
make this organization
a world champion.
(uplifting music playing)
♪
So, Claire.
I'm gonna need some big
ideas from you, alright?
I need you.
Bill, Jerry,
I understand you're
still building the roster,
but I have one question.
What's it take to get us
to the Promised Land?
- Well, I think
we're almost there.
- Jerry Buss: Almost?
Jerry West:
Yeah, there's, uh,
just one piece that doesn't fit.
Do not say Magic Johnson.
No. It's not him.
It's not? Fantastic!
You hear that? That is
progress right there! (laughs)
Who, Jerry?
♪
- It's me.
- (music stops)
Woman: (gasps)
What did he say?
You're gonna have to get
yourself a new head coach.
(takes paper)
(scoffs)
("Somebody's Gonna Lose or Win"
by The Hygrades)
♪