Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 10 - Promised Land - full transcript

Kareem Abdul-Fuck! Oh, fuck.

- Cap?
- Come on!

Easy. Jack, hurry it up.

Chick Fourth quarter of
this rubber game five,

and the Lakers, who
were looking spectacular

on the strength of
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's

stellar performance,
are now shell-shocked

and, friends, they're
playing like it.

The 76ers staging a
furious comeback here

since Kareem went down at
the end of the third quarter,

taking their first lead
of the second half.



They're controlling the pace,
they're killing us inside.

Come on. Let's go.
Let's go. I'm fine.

Tape it up! I'll play! Let's go!

Leave him alone!

- Tape it up!
- Don't you touch that tape!

No, she's right. We need to
get him across the street

- for an X-ray right now.
- Give him a shot or something.

- He's carrying us out there.
- Pat,

if that ankle is broken
and he plays on it,

it's gonna end his career.

Hey, could we have a
minute here, please?

- Pat We gotta do something.
- Get the fuck out! Get out!

I'm proud of you.

You are more connected
than you've ever been,



and that is a beautiful thing.

But you don't have to run
your body to the ground

just for a game.

Hey. It's only basketball.

Not this time.

- I want this.
- Say it louder.

I want it!

Six minutes to go in
the fourth quarter.

Lakers down by 11, and Kareem

is back on the court,
playing with ferocity.

Let's go, Lakers!

It's good! And what
a great sign that is

for the Lakers.
Cheeks out ahead,

splits the defenders, but
Kareem is running in on defense.

And Kareem with the block!

Taking it the other way.

Kareem is in the
post, triple-teamed...

Oh my! You're gonna
need a lot more Sixers

to stop the big man tonight.

- Slam dunk!
- Aah!

- And just like that, the Lakers are back in it, folks.
- Yes!

And Kareem's ankle may be
hurting him but, oh Lord,

he is showing no
sign of it tonight.

Under a minute now,

Sixers watching this
one slip-sliding away.

Lakers win! Lakers win!

And now, they'll head
back to Philadelphia

with a three-games-to-two lead.

And they are just one
game away from glory.

Folks, you are looking at
the children of destiny.

And just when
things looked bleak,

the captain returns
to save his team.

Earvin Bring it here,
baby, bring it here!

You a monster, Cap!

One more!

Earvin, I'm going
to need your help.

Oh, shit.

Abdul-Fuck, I'm really hurt.

Yeah, I got you.

("My Favorite Mutiny"
by The Coup playing.

Reporter The
organization now saying

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
is questionable

for Game six in Philadelphia.

Jerry Remember I was telling
you a while ago about swans?

About how they do
all the hard work

of paddling below the surface?

Well, it's funny. There's
something else about them.

The one and only time in
their entire lives they sing

is right before they die.

Their swan song.

It's true. Up until then,

it's nothing but ugly
squawks and honks, but then,

right at the very end

they make something beautiful.

Music.

- Frank Are you alright in there?
- Yeah.

Oof! You look greener
than goose shit.

Thanks, Frank.

Good to see you, too. Claire.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

What, you mean Kareem?

Well, him, too.

We're gonna close it out
in Philly tomorrow. Watch.

Just please don't tell me
I'm about to lose my shirt.

Or mine.

Uh, not this time.

Playoff revenues
exceeded our projections,

and next-year season ticket
sales are off the charts.

Jackpot!

Now, let's go pay those
bastards off and breathe.

Great work, Claire.

We just need a signature.

Yep.

Claire Not yours.

Your treasurer.

Until you appoint someone new,

we can't make anything
official with the bank.

Got it. Understood, ahem.
Thank you, Claire. I'm gonna

- get right on that.
- Of course. Thank you.

So who you thinkin'?

Hey, Jean Bean. There
you are. Get that door?

Got something I wanna
pick your brain about.

Spent all night at Grandma's.

Sorting through her things.

I really appreciate
you doing that.

You're a good girl.

Jeanie You know,
I was thinking...

I don't need to go to
Philadelphia with you.

I can just stay here in town
and get Grandma's things

squared away before
you come back.

Just so you don't have
to worry about it.

I mean, it'd be a bummer
to miss the game, but...

Would you do that?

I could not do that right now.

Sure. Yeah, of course.

I mean, probably be game seven.

Well, not if we're lucky.

I tell you, Jeanie,
it was so nice

seeing you with your
brothers at the funeral.

Just having the whole family
together like that was...

Here's the thing.

We have a seat that's
opened up at the company,

and it was your grandma's seat.

Treasurer, and...

I need your help, Jeanie.

Of course, Dad.

I need you to take those
two brothers of yours

around this office,

and see how they spark to it.

You know, and then tell me

who you think would
be the better pick.

'Cause, you know, what's the
point of having a family business

if we don't get some
family in here, you know?

Yeah.

Yeah, right.

They just get so weird
around me and competitive...

Sports Host In a decision that should
delight fans across the nation,

the NBA today has
selected Larry Bird

of the Boston Celtics
Rookie of the Year,

beating out the year's other
rookie sensation, Magic Johnson,

who currently finds him...

Rule number one, fucker.

If you're thinking you
ain't up to it, you ain't.

Ooh... Big tube.

Bet I look good on that.

Won't be on there tomorrow.

Be me up there,
winning me a ring.

Don't matter none.

Ain't against me,
nobody gives a shit.

Says who?

I'm in your head, ain't I?

Ah...

- I get your ass next year.
- Nope.

If you actually believed
that, I wouldn't be here.

- Nice try, though.
- Man, fuck off.

Larry Make me.

Except you can't, can you?

'Cause I'm better than you.

Better player.

Better man.

- I know that's right.
- Got that right.

- You a asshole.
- At least I'm real.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm? Fuck you.

Fuck you. Fuck all y'all.

I ain't believing
none of this shit!

You just fucking with my
mom, playing tricks and shit!

I'ma go out there and win
me a ring! And you ain't!

None of y'all gonna
be nowhere close!

Announcer With Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar questionable

for game six in Philadelphia,

the rookie sensation
Magic Johnson may find...

There's the motherfucker
we take out first.

Considerably under-manned...

Put that shit down!

And put on some
motherfucking pants!

Ain't y'all junkies
been paying attention?

The hit is on pause.

Kareem is out for game six.

That mean the Lakers gonna
need they self a big man.

I got my agent reaching out to
West head and them right now.

So, clean this place up,

and get your asses
the fuck outta here.

I got to get my shit packed.

You seen my snake?

Spencer Here we go!
Here we go! That's them.

Turn that shit off. Turn it off.

Not to mention minus Jabbar...

- This is Spencer.
- Agent Hiya, Spence! Listen.

I, uh, I got bad news.

I talked to the
Lakers, and, uh...

They're not interested.

And you, and you
talked to him yourself?

- West head?
- Yeah, it was him. You know,

he says... he says you're
not the right fit right now.

- I hear.
- But listen, I'm gonna keep on pushing him,

and, uh, you just sit
tight there, okay?

We good.

So, you-you back on
the team or what?

The hit is on.

We'll ice those motherfuckers
when they're back from Philly.

Oh, hell yeah!

You're here for Paul
West head, right?

- Yes.
- Okay. That's me.

- Go get 'em. Okay?
- I will.

Thanks.

I'm proud of you!

I know you are.

Jack Mc That makes one of us.

Glad I caught you
before the big trip.

Jack...

What are... what
are you doing here?

I brought you something.

Don't worry, it won't bite.

My notes on Philly.

I schemed for this. A
starting five without Kareem.

In case it came up.

Jack...

I hate how all this happened.

I mean, all of it.

Look, I want you to know
I-I'm leaving next year,

no matter what happens.

Time for me to do
my own thing, right?

This is your thing.

You started this.

Then finish it.

Besides, I don't need you
out there competing with me

for a coaching job.

Got some place in mind?

Wherever I can come
back and kick your ass.

- I can't wait.
- McGood luck!

Coach.

Let's go.

Host 1 What's there
even to talk about?

Without Kareem in the lineup,

the Lakers are going to lose
this game in Philadelphia.

- This series is going seven.
- HostGone-zo! Bye-bye!

Host The only
question in my mind is

does Magic Johnson
have what it takes

- to even make it a contest?
- HostYes, yes!

This is what I've been
saying! On the money.

There's no chance...

- What's up, Cheryl?
- Hi.

- Where the big fella?
- He wants to talk to you.

Have your driver follow
me to the parking lot.

- I'll keep the hounds away. You two can have a chat.
- Aight.

What's up, Cap? Feeling
like John Shaft,

you all up in here like
a spooky movie people.

Yeah, figured it
was best to lay low

with all those
buzzards circling.

You good to go then?

I'm out, Buck.

Well, you heal up then.

- We still may be needing you game seven...
- Buck.

I'm out.

And you're the
only one who knows.

For now.

Damn.

Look, Buck

before this season,

I thought I was done with ball.

Biding my time,
cashing my paycheck.

Then, this kid comes along.

Smiley motherfucker.
Whitest teeth you ever saw.

All grins and high-up
fives, and hugs.

First time he gave me
one, made my nuts draw up

tighter than a cat
inside a mouse hole.

Thought you was
gonna punch me out.

I wanted to.

Remember what you told me

when I said we
still got 81 to go?

You keep on winning games, I'm
gonna give you 81 more hugs.

You owe me one more.

Maybe we screwed
up cuttin' Haywood.

Ask me, he put a mojo on the
team 'cause we gave him the boot.

Fuck Wood, man.

Had his head been on,

he'd be there to back me up,

instead of y'all fucking

bitch-ass motherfuckers.

Shit, Wood's juju probably
comin' for me next.

You the big man now, buddy.
Why don't you go ahead

and sit down in
the big man's seat?

Jim Hell no. When Cap find out,

most likely from
your snitchin' ass,

my ass end up gettin'
karate-chopped to fuckin' death.

- Fuck you.
- Fuck me?

The team seems to
be in good spirits.

- Heard it was a dicey practice.
- Any truth to the rumors

of bringing back Haywood for
the remainder of the series?

Is Kareem gonna be able to
come back for game seven?

- And what if he doesn't?
- Paul Guys,

we're gonna take this
one game at a time.

Yeah. Who said we
need a game seven?

Have a drink, relax.

- We'll talk after the flight. Yep.
- How is Nixon's finger?

- Love you guys. Love you.
- Thanks.

Flight ...drinks service
will begin shortly.

Well, I guess, uh,

if we lose, at least we
did that on our own, huh?

Won't give Jack any credit.

- Ain't over yet.
- Aight, all you peoples, listen up!

Someone take that
thing away from him.

You sound like a dying bird.
Nigga, why you so happy?

- Shit, is big man coming back?
- You lookin' at the big man right here.

- Hey, fellas.
- What?

We closing out in Philly.

- Me at center.
- Center?

Listen, I played center
back in high school.

Maybe I ain't as big as
Jones or Chocolate Thunder,

but I ain't no pipsqueak.

And can't neither one
of them keep up with me

speed-wise neither.

Ooh, I'll be
spinnin' in the post,

drivin' and kickin' to Norm

or Silk for the jay.

- For real?
- Get the fuck outta here.

Let them try and
match up with that.

Yo, I ain't trying
to fuck up the party,

but what six-nine guard supposed
to do against two seven-footers?

Exactly.

Send they ass home to mama.

Come on, Coach! What you say?

We don't have time
to practice it.

They won't neither, Coach.

They're gonna pound us
in the paint all night.

Or we can, uh, race
'em off the court.

- No way.
- Look, I-I wish we had a better option, too,

- but if we go seven and Kareem's not back...
- "The gloomy shade of death."

That means we're fucked then.

Okay.

Okay?

Okay.

Okay!

Hey, hey, fellas. I
know 33 ain't with us,

but you got 32.

Now y'all have no fear.

Magic motherfuckin'
Johnson be here.

There's a time...

Players When you find...

Yeah, there you go!

What's that?

It's what Jack would do.

Well, fuck.

Right this way over here.

Over here? These seats blow.

You know what? This
is a mind game.

They're trying to
get under our skin.

Just don't let 'em razzle you.

- Go get yourself some beers.
- Jimmy Thank you.

- Johnny - You sure? I can pay.
- David - Dr. Buss!

- Man of the moment!
- David. Oh yeah.

Listen, I'm sorry to
hear about Kareem.

It's alright. I like
proving the doubters wrong.

Commissioner not here yet or...

- Uh, stuck in traffic.
- Ah.

Tell the man the truth.

You'll see him in LA on Sunday,

- giving that shiny trophy to the Sixers.
- Red!

I'm touched! You
showed up as a fan?

I'm just here for my award.

Exec of the Year.

Bill here's Coach of the Year.

Hell, with Bird, we
got the Triple Crown.

Wow! Isn't that something?

You guys have won everything
that doesn't count!

For now.

You boys enjoy your popcorn.

Yeah. Enjoy your plaque!

I'll see you, David.

- Got you a beer, Dad.
- Thank you, Jim.

And don't sweat him,
alright? He's jealous.

He's a loser. It's not
even the right sport.

- Triple Crown...
- Yeah. He's miserable.

- Good to see you guys!
- Yeah, you, too.

- You wanna sit in the middle?
- Nah, nah. This is good.

Brent Musburger
Well, here we are.

Game six of the 1980
NBA World Championship,

moments away, the formidable
Philadelphia 76ers...

Narrator And lo! The Israelites

have reached the Promised Land.

Behold that land

with thine eyes. But, Moses...

Come on, let's change
the channel. It's time.

- I can't, babe.
- Yes, you can.

You got them there.

And they need your
vibes right now.

Formidable Philadelphia 76ers

versus the nimble
Los Angeles Lakers.

Live from Spectrum
Arena, Philadelphia.

Sparks are in the air
tonight for game six.

The Lakers undermanned but with
a chance to take it all tonight,

and, folks, we now
know Coach West head

has decided to go small tonight.

Without their big man,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,

Magic Johnson listed
as the starting center.

He can't hope to match up
physically with the size

and strength of Darryl
Dawkins and Caldwell Jones.

- Jerry.
- Oh shit. Fuck, fuck, Bill!

Fucking runnin' up
on me like that for!

Yeah.

- Oh. Now, we're talkin'.
- Mm-hmm.

They sound pretty worked up!

- Just another game, right?
- Right.

We got a plan, gentlemen.

They may be bigger, but
we've got the speed.

That means we're
pushing that ball

every chance we get.

This is our game. We
got here as a team.

We're gonna finish as
a team. Team on three.

- One, two, three! Team!
- Team!

Here comes the tip...

What you smiling
for, Young Blood?

Just can't believe I'm about
to take a ring from Dr. J.

What's up, fool?

Hey, take it easy
on me in that paint!

I got the tip.

- What's he doing?
- Magic wants... He wants the tip.

Chones, let him in.

Rook, what the
fuck you thinkin'?

I be feelin',
baby, I be feelin'.

And look at this. Magic Johnson

is stepping into
the center circle.

The 20-year-old rookie

is not just hoping to fill
the captain's shoes, Keith.

He's actually gonna
jump center for it.

Fuck's he doing? What
the fuck is he doing?!

No! J-Jones has got five
fuckin' inches on him!

Our kid's got bigger balls.

I can't fuckin' watch this!
I can't. I can't. I can't.

Fuckin' walk, just
fuckin' take a hike.

Hey, hey, hey!

Musburger Well, here we are.

Game six of the
1980 NBA World...

Can't nothing jump
like a monkey.

You'll wipe that
smile off next year.

Shut the fuck up.

The ball is in center court...

He's there.

I ain't.

Alright...

Hey, what's he like in person?

- Earl eat ha, right?
- Mm-hmm.

Yeah, I heard you went to MSU.

I mean, you must
know Magic, right?

No. Can't say I do.

All I'm sayin', the boy ain't
hard enough to play the center!

- Simple as that!
- But he played center in high school.

Mr. Tell you right now,
you wouldn't know hard

if you the only dick

in a hotel room full of pussy!

Man, we in for a treat, y'all!

Game's starting!

Musburger Do not adjust your TV.

This is actually happening.

- Junior's stepping up.
- Doing too much,

- that's what he's doing.
- What the heck do you know?

Watch your mouth, Earl,

or else you're gonna have to
watch your butt at halftime.

- Ooh!
- Tell him, Mama!

You heard the woman. Now, look!

Settle down.

Let's go, Magic! Let's go!

Jones wins the tip.

Dawkins secures it.
Tapped away by Magic.

Jim Chones back to
Magic on the break.

Long pass down the court.

Hits Wilkes in stride,
lays it up and in.

And just like that, these
Lakers take the lead.

Back the other way.

Long baseball pass to
Hollins for the open jumper.

And flat. It's no good.

Nixon with the rebound.

Quick pass around the horn.

Magic on the block,
pounding with the big man.

Floats up a sky
hook, and it's good!

Abdul-That's my sky
hook! I taught him that!

Move over, Houdini.

I see you, Buck! I taught
him that! Let's go!

Oh, man.

The doctor makes his move.

Oh, that's no good. And Chones
with the rebound to Norm.

- - Let's go!
- - Back to Magic,

with a snazzy dribble!
Hits Wilkes...

Slam dunk!

Lakers out to an
eight-point lead.

Cheeks to Erving for the jumper.

Good! Johnson answers quickly

with an offhand
layup of his own.

And, friends, this Philly
crowd is getting restless.

They're itching in their seats.

And that's the
Doctor with the cure.

And here comes the slug-fest.

I think I, uh, might go
check on the commissioner.

Jay? Call New York,

get O'Brien on a helicopter.

And make sure
they've got a stage

in case we're
giving out a trophy.

Uh, is-is there a trophy?

I need a quarter.
You got a quarter?

Erving under the
backboard at the baseline.

- - Shit.
- - Unbelievable!

And a scintillating start for
the Lakers in that first quarter,

but the Sixers
are hanging tough.

This is gonna be a doozy
of a contest, friends.

Just fuckin' take it.

Fucking walk in there.
Keep fucking walking...

Motherfucker...

This just... fuckin' sucks.

Fuck.

- What is it? What happened? What happened?
- Philly tied it up.

No! Fuck! God-fuckin'-dammit!

I knew it! Fuck, I knew it!

Goddammit!

Under a minute to go here
in the half. A dead heat.

Lakers 60, Sixers 58.

Collins out ahead of the Lakers
with a clear path at the basket.

And just like that, the
teams stay knotted up.

You get to sit down! And
you suck! And you suck!

- Come here! Come on!
- I'll fuck you up!

Sit down. Sit down.
Sit down. Sit down.

Norm from the corner. No good.

And it looks right
now like these Lakers

have come back down to earth.

The crowd is right back in it.

Last seconds of the quarter,
Magic with the steal.

Magic from the
half-court at the buzzer.

In and out! And that may be

the only place he's
missed the mark tonight.

But the lead he has
built has slipped away.

And you can feel a frustration
creeping in for these Lakers.

Right out the gate, but the
Sixers absorb the onslaught

and come out tied at the half.

Bill Well, you have
to ask yourself,

was that Magic and
the Lakers' best shot?

They're doing great.

Don't listen to that.

Dr. J is here to prove

that his reign is
nowhere near over.

But Magic's rookie performance
does not disappoint.

And, oh look, there's the
rookie owner of the Lakers

taking in his team
with his two sons.

Both chips off the old
block, I'm sure. I'll...

If you're looking for the game,
you're in the wrong arena.

Why aren't you in Philly?

Uh, someone had to clean out
my grandmother's things, so...

It's just a lot for my dad.

Your brothers didn't volunteer?

No. They'd just, uh,
steal the silverware.

My grandma was so smart.

So tough.

But I think she gave
the best of it away.

But I don't want to be like her.

I want to be like you.

You never will.

You're going to be him.

We have the feed up on
satellite if you want.

Maude made chili.

- Lon - Uh, excuse me?
- - What is it?

Uh, I'm supposed to
give this to, uh, Magic.

Yeah, what is it?

It's the vote totals
for Rookie of the Year.

He asked me to get them.

He wanted to know
how much he lost by.

Alright, alright.
I'll tell him myself.

Alright, gentlemen, listen up.

One more message from the Bard.

"If we are marked to die,"

"we are enough

"to do our country loss.

"And if to live

"oh, if to live,

"the fewer men, the
greater share of honor.

"For he who hath

"no stomach to this
fight, let him depart!

"We would not die in
that man's company

"that fears his
fellowship to die with us!

"We few..."

"We happy few..."

"We band of brothers..."

Let's kill those fuckers!

Alright, here we are,

beginning of round
two, all knotted up.

And who is going to make
this game their own?

We've seen marvels
out of Magic so far,

but if the Lakers want to beat
this veteran Sixers squad,

he is going to have to
find a new offensive gear.

Hey, it's EJ the DJ. Watch this!

Chones with the
inbound pass to Magic.

Magic behind the back.

Beautiful spin move.
Long pass down to Norm.

Nixon with a lovely layup.

And the Lakers draw first
blood out of the half.

- - Yeah, y'all!
- - Magic back in the paint now,

bodying up Erving,
giving the Doctor

a taste of his own medicine.

Nixon to Magic.

Slam dunk!

Coming to you live and direct!

Magic battling for a rebound,

taking it back the other
way. Fools the Doctor!

Hits Norm in the
corner. Back to Magic.

And Magic, eyes in the
back of his head tonight.

Back to Norm, driving,
lays it up and in.

And, oh my! Time out, Sixers.

You've seen Magic
at point guard,

you've seen Magic at forward,
you've seen Magic at center.

Pretty soon, you might
see Magic play a position

that nobody's even
invented yet, Keith.

Magic down the middle,
bounce pass to Jamaal.

Here's Magic, behind
his back to Chones.

Spies a wide-open
Holland. Swish!

Magic puts 'em in
the popcorn machine.

On the block, pounding
with the big man.

And giving it right
back and more...

Magic says, give me that ball!

Put up, back it in, by who else?

Magic Johnson. Boy, I tell you,
this kid is everywhere, folks.

Lakers up 10 in the quarter,

and the game all on the back

of an astonishing
performance by Magic Johnson.

- They are one quarter away from a ring.
- Oh, fuck! Yes!

But can he keep this
up for 12 more minutes

without running out of steam?

Don't! No... Don't say
a fuckin' word, Bill!

Don't! You know better! Don't
say another fuckin' word!

- I'm gonna take a fucking...
- The other way!

- I'm gonna take a walk!
- Yeah, you do that.

It's working, Bill!

And at the end of
three, it's Lakers 93...

Baby, they're gonna win it!

Do you want something
from the kitchen?

I'm having champagne.

Not only without their big
man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,

but also without power
forward Spencer Haywood,

who was shouldering a lot of the weight
down there in the post for this team.

The Lakers are just 12 minutes

and one quarter of basketball
away from the Promised Land,

their first championship
in eight years.

- One, two, three...
- Team!

Lakers 10 ahead with
what could become

a comfortable lead if
they keep the pressure on.

Sixers gotta come out
swinging, and they do, folks.

Erving with a fast
cut to the rim,

reminding everyone
why he's the Doctor.

And where was
Magic on that play?

Erving asking for
the ball again,

this time in the corner.

D up! D up!

Who peels Magic
off like a banana!

And just like that, the
Sixers cut this lead in half.

And Magic Johnson is
looking winded, friends,

like the Doctor may have
found a cure for him.

Sixers have no quit in them,
I'll tell you that right now.

Come on, keep a foot
on their throats.

Don't let these guys back in it.

Oh! And Erving with a clean pick

leaving Magic in the dust.

And if you're Paul West head,

this is exactly what
you were afraid of.

He's been out there in high gear
for every minute of this game.

And even at the ripe old age
of 20, that will take a toll.

Nixon trying to
muster up some offense

for the struggling
Lakers. Misses badly.

Jones with the rebound.

You're alright! Get back!

Cheeks running the break.

To Erving... Good!

And the Sixers have cut
this deficit to one.

I'll tell ya, these
Lakers are starting

to look like a car
without an engine.

Just over three minutes and
30 seconds to go in this game.

Lakers clinging to a
three-point advantage,

Magic Johnson has been
carrying the team,

but now he's looking like it,
friends, walking this ball

up the court just
to get some air.

And he walks right into a trap!

Dawkins, Hollins,
Cheeks surrounding him.

Magic throws the ball away...

- Goddammit!
- Right into the hands of Julius Erving!

And just like that, the Sixers
trail by only one point.

- God, they're...
- The crowd is going wild

and now, they can taste it.

Magic Johnson looking tired,

looking absolutely exhausted
out there, and frustrated.

- Let's just hope not beaten.
- Time out, Lakers!

Did you call that time out?

No. He did.

Time out, Lakers.

- Sorry, I know.
- No, no, no, no, no.

Fuck that, fuck
that. We got this.

Ain't got nothing
left. I'm spent, Norm.

You ain't alone, Buck, okay?

Hey. Fucking look at me.

You've been doin'
everything out here,

but we got you.

I got you.

Let's go and win
this fucking game.

- Okay? Yeah? Alright.
- Yeah.

Let's go. Let's take it home.

Magic has played every
minute here tonight,

and he looks out of gas.

We've been wondering all year

when this kid was gonna hit
the wall. This may be it.

It's looking more and
more like it's gonna take

- a lot more than magic.
- You can say that...

And I'll tell ya,

these guys look like
they've been in a war,

the two of them. This
whole team is exhausted.

Nixon... He's got
stones for legs,

and Nixon bringing him
over back to the bench,

and he is tired, I'll tell you.

Magic has had an amazing night,

spectacular performance,

but when push comes to shoves

in these high-pressure
situations,

you want experience
driving the team

when there's a
championship at stake.

You cannot hear yourself
think in this arena.

I bet they can hear this
crowd way back in LA.

I'll tell ya, if
Kareem can't come back

for that game seven,

this could be the
Lakers' last best chance.

Breathe! Breathe! I
know that we are tired!

But this is what we trained for!

McKinney miles, gentlemen!

Okay? Two minutes!

Two minutes to glory!

We are gonna win this thing!

We're gonna win it! Okay?
You believe that! Believe it!

We finish this
together right now!

Hands in!

Champs on three!
One, two, three...

Champs!

Come on!

Come on, let's do it!

Sixty-three to three.

What?

The rookie vote.

Bird won.

Sixty-three to three.

Ball!

Magic pushing against Erving.

Cooper cutting to the basket.

Magic with the alley-oop.

Ooh!

What the...

God fucking arrest
him! That wasn't a f...

That's Michael Cooper
down on the floor,

and this does not
look good, I tell you.

- There's Jack Curran going out.
- I won't fuckin' calm down!

Not good. Boy, I'll tell
you, he is really hurt.

He may be out cold.
Team's gathered around,

and this could not come,

boy, this could not
come at a worse time.

Coop, Coop!

Fuck, man.

Jack Curran Mike? Mike?

Hey, Mike? Mike?

Do you know where you are?

Home...

Pasadena?

Shit, Philly. Yeah.

Nah, Coop. You right at home.

Now, go in your living
room and sink a free throw.

- Yeah?
- Okay.

- Cool?
- Okay.

If he's unable to
shoot this foul shot,

the Sixers can pick anyone

from the Lakers' bench to shoot,

including our own hands
of stone Mark Landsberger.

There you go,
Coop, there you go!

Watch your toes!

- Let's go!
- Come on, Coop.

Sink it!

Michael Cooper with
the shot of his life,

and he drops it. If he
can make the second shot,

they're gonna put up by three.

Coop. There you go.

Let's get this
next one. Let's go.

One more! One more!

Come on, Coop.

And the Lakers are looking
for a little cushion here.

- He's got it. Lakers up three.
- Yes!

Still a one-possession
game, 26 left.

But the Lakers can't go
celebrating too soon, Keith.

Now, they've got to
get a stop right here.

Back on D!

Jones looking for an open man.

Norm. Norm!

Finds him with a
long in-bounds pass

to a wide-open Dawkins
at center court.

- - Norm!
- Intercepted by Norm Nixon!

Go! Go! Go!

Moves it quickly
up ahead to Magic!

Driving to the basket...

Magic muscles in.

Erving rushing in to
meet him at the rim...

Slam dunk!

Yes! Yes!

Yeah!

- Yes!
- Slam dunk!

Right over Julius Erving!

That might be the dagger,
and the Lakers know

they've got this thing won.

The bench, the entire
bench is up screaming.

Hey, Paul! Paul West
head! Give me five.

There's 39 seconds left, Chick.

Oh shi...

Oh! Thank you, Jesus!

Gimme five! Atta baby!

And this game is in the
refrigerator, friends.

The door is closed.

The lights are out,
the eggs are cooling,

the butter's getting hard.

And the Jell-O is jiggling!

Young Left corner!

Right block! A, B!

Earvin Johnson Sr.:
Junior! Keep your head up!

Look straight ahead.

Don't show him
where you wanna go.

Young Woo! Last few seconds

of the fourth quarter

to see which team wins.

Fades left! Goes
right at the fake...

And it's official!
The Lakers win

the 1980 NBA World Championship.

That makes Magic Johnson,
a mere 20 years of age,

the youngest
champion of all time,

and, boy, does this kid deserve

to be enjoying
every minute of it.

There's always other nights!

Enjoy this one.

Dr. Buss?

We need to beat the
rush down to the stage.

Come on. It's time for
your moment in the sun.

One second, Dave.

Jessie Don't be a
sore winner, Gerald.

You promised me a smile.

It's not fair.

You're talking to
yourself, Gerald.

Man Alright, if you
can get Kareem all set,

- we'll be calling you back in a minute.
- Yes. He will be ready.

Baby, they're gonna
call you in a minute

for the broadcast because
you just won the MVP Award.

I'm so proud of you.

Just a magical, magical night,

led by a 20-year-old rookie

who was playing
basketball in high school

- just two short years ago.
- I can't believe it.

Without question now,
without any question at all,

the greatest game ever
played in the NBA.

Winning a world
championship, on the road,

in one of the most hostile
arenas in all of sports.

- Yeah!
- Fuck, yeah!

Congratulations, Norm.

- Thank you!
- Congratulations.

Earvin! Got a minute?

Congratulations, Earvin.

- Mr. Stern!
- Listen, uh,

we have a little problem.

What, you gonna take it back?

Not that. I promise.

"SPORT Magazine," you
know the publication.

They sponsor our series MVP.

And see, the writers voted

to award it to Kareem.

That's great! He deserve it!

- We ain't here weren't for him.
- Of course.

Except he isn't here.

Wait, they can't get
him on the phone?

Well, we could,

but remember what we
talked about at dinner?

I think you proved it
to the world tonight.

The man of the moment is you.

So, you want me to
accept it for Kareem?

I want you to accept it.

Darth Vader wins
Rookie of the Year,

but you're the
last man standing.

With a trophy of his own.
In every living room.

Hell of a story,
don't you think?

Maybe next year,
he strikes back.

Maybe you defend the title.

Tune in and find out.

But I'm gonna need an answer.

That whole combination going

with you and Magic.
It's fantastic.

- Thank you, Mr. Sharman.
- Okay, Coop.

Really proud of you guys.

Alright? Do it again next year.

Of course. Of course.

Excuse me a minute.

Psst.

Get your ass in there.

No, this one ain't mine, Bill.

It would have been if we
lost, though, wouldn't it?

- What about the next one?
- Huh?

What about the next one?

Oh... What about it?

Fellow knows me pretty well

thinks that the front office

might be my sweet spot.

What?

Monday.

Bright and early
after the parade.

We start next season.

Larry O' Well done,
gentlemen! Jerry...

There he is!

Hey!

- Fucking helicopter, it's a death trap.
- I know! I know!

- What are you gonna do?
- Alright, Hot Rod.

Thank you very much.

I'm here with the
commissioner of the NBA,

Larry O'Brien. Very happy
owner of the Lakers,

a couple of players. Larry,

why don't you present
the trophy to Jerry Buss?

Well, I'm happy to do it.

We just finished the greatest
season in NBA history,

and I think the greatest
series in NBA history.

It is my great honor to
present this world trophy

to the owner of the
new world champion.

Los Angeles Lakers.

He's a rookie himself,

Dr. Jerry Buss!

There you go. That's yours!

That's permanent! You keep that!

Well, you've been an NBA
owner all of one year,

already you're a champion,
must be on top of the world.

Hoo! Yeah. Uh...

I tell you, I have
never had a group of men

like this team do so much

uh

Minute by minute, week by week,

month by month. Uh...

We played, what, 108 games?

And these guys gave
everything they had.

Well, this is the end result,

so thank you, guys! Thank you!

Well, where do you go from here?

Now, I guess we do
it all over again!

O' Hey! That's what
I'm talking about!

Go ahead! Everyone who
said we couldn't do it,

you can go...

And there you have it.

Colorful owner Jerry Buss
and his champion Lakers...

Baby, they're gonna call
soon. Okay? Don't worry.

Moments from now, we
will be bringing to you

the presentation of this year's
"SPORT Magazine" Finals MVP.

And, of course,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

was this year's scoring
leader. But, tonight,

tonight was all about
the rookie sensation.

And so, we take you to
our own Bill Russell

to present the award to
Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

- Congratulations, Earvin.
- Thanks, Mr. Stern.

Thanks, Bill.

And, you know

we couldn't have done none
of this without Kareem.

- He the man on his team.
- I'm sure he's watching.

Well, he couldn't be here,

so I knew I had to take over,

get the job done.

But,

you know, I'm glad of that.

'Cause I love to win.

And I guess I proved a few
things to them doubters.

- Magic is a winner.
- There's some

great players who have
never won a championship.

How many more do you want?

Oh, about 20.

You okay?

Well, I'll tell you what.
It beats the booby prize.

At least you made the cut.

- Those fucking jokers forgot my name.
- Next year.

We make this our own.

Next year.

Quiet in here.

'Cause it's unbelievable.

Well, you must be
used to it by now.

- All this winning.
- Yeah.

I just don't want it to end.

Me neither.

Hm.

Abdul-Spence! You here?

Spence!

- Haywood - Don't move, motherfucker.
- Abdul... Jesus...

It's just me, Spence.

I've been calling.

I came to say congratulations.

- We won.
- Fuck you.

I ain't win shit. You won.

You motherfuckers
kicked me to the curb,

and you got the nerve
to come in here,

talking about congratulations?

- I'm here now.
- Why?

Because I don't wanna read
about it in a newspaper that

- they found you in an alley.
- It ain't gonna be in no alley,

But it is gonna be by my terms.

- You'd be killing the wrong man, Spence.
- Nigga, you don't know me.

I know Spencer Haywood.

Yeah? Spencer
Haywood ain't shit!

- I don't believe that.
- Like hell, nigga.

You know exactly what I am.

You figured out my trick!

That's why my Black ass ain't
drinking bubbly right now

with the rest of the team.

'Cause you know I ain't shit.

Nigga, you know I ain't shit,

and I ain't gonna never be shit!

Just the same!

Just like I always been!

- Always!
- I know someone told you that.

That's what I am.

- No.
- Look at me.

Look at her.

Is your daughter beautiful?

Look at your daughter.

- Is she beautiful? Is your daughter beautiful?
- I can't.

- That ain't me.
- It is.

Half of that beauty
comes from you.

It's yours.

A beautiful Black man.

My beautiful brother.

It's too late.

- It's not.
- I can't.

I can't. I can't. I can't
live like this anymore.

I fucked up.

You're a champion.

Norman Whoo, cowboy Cap!

- Hey, Cap.
- We're good.

Congratulations.

City's out there
throwing you a party.

Oh, that's their party.

Is this the paperwork?

This is the old paperwork,

and this is the new.

Just needs a signature.

How's that look to you?

Like we need to
talk about a raise.

Looking forward to it, Claire.

Me, too.

You remember what I was
saying about swan songs?

Well...

I went through about 80
million bucks this season.

But I got a few grand
left in the bank

fresh line of credit,

and the best team in basketball.

So, swan songs?

This ain't mine.

Watch me paddle, motherfuckers.

Got something for ya!

Whoo!

Yeah!