The latest is UPDATED: There is a reason one of his nicknames is "Mr. Clutch," and he is not a man who is given to caving under pressure.
Though today defended its spooky series about the 1979-80 despite the recent criticism of several Lakers fans, the former Lakers point guard, coach, and general don't sound like he's going to blame.
West announced his intention to take legal action in the event that HBO does not issue a retraction in an interview with the L.A. Times published this morning before HBO issued its reply.
"They belittled something good if I have to, I will take this all the way to the Supreme Court," says the writer. "The series slammed all of us [the Lakers] as cartoon characters."
According to West's attorneys, "falsely and cruelly portrays Mr. West as an out-of-control, intoxicated rage-aholic. The Jerry West in Winning Time has no resemblance to the real man."
Today, HBO said and notes prominently at the end of every episode that Winning Time is a fiction work.
"HBO has a long tradition of directing compelling content from actual facts and events that are depicted in part for dramatic purposes. "Winning Time" is not a documentary, but it has not been presented as such. However, the series and its depictions are based on extensive factual research and reliable sourcing, and HBO is firmly behind our talented actors and actors who have brought this epic chapter in basketball history to the screen. "
The statement or his depiction in the next episode of the show in which his character tells a down-in-the-dumps Magic that "Happiness is a diversion"...And no one will be able to comprehend that. Nobody, he concludes by telling Magic that he wouldn't trade his prized championship ring for pure happiness.
Jeff Pearlman, the writer of the book on which Winning Time is based, responded by retweeting a post from Empire and Dopesick creator Danny Strong, which said, "The/Lakers need to rethink their Winning Time strategy. Attacking it makes them seem petty and incapable to take a joke. Everyone loves the show, therefore the huge ratings. Negative character moments are filled with affection, humor, and love for the players."
"I one million percent agree," Pearlman said of the remarks.
I am a milliard of people.
Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman)
PREVIOUSLY on April 19: Jerry West only won one NBA championship in his career with the Lakers, but the Hall of Fame player-turned-GM was so respected around the league that it crafted the organization's logo in his image. According to numerous sources, "The Logo," which he is admiringly referred, is dissatisfied with his portrayal in HBO's series Winning Time.
West's attorneys say Winning Time "falsely and cruelly portrays Mr. West as an out-of-control, intoxicated rage-aholic." The Jerry West in Winning Time bears no resemblance to the real man in a letter reportedly sent to HBO, Warner Bros., Discovery, and executive producer.
Many have expressed their gratitude, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his Showtime-era teammates Michael Cooper and Jamaal Wilkes, as well as West's successor, former Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, all of whom sent photographs with West's letter.
Jason Clarke, who plays West on the programme, emotes the competitive fire quench West is believed to have, but the show is characterized by him getting flaunted much of the time, gruesomely breaking his golf club in the first episode, and curling up in a fetal position in the second.
In his statement, Abdul-Jabbar said that his actions represent significant moments: "It's a matter of simple exploitation rather than exploration of character."
While West won only one championship as a player with the Lakers, but as an executive with the team most of it as GM West provided the foundations for five more championships in the 1980s (the Winning Time era) and laid the groundwork for three more in the early 2000s by trading for one Kobe Bean Bryant right after he was drafted out of high school by Charlotte in 1996.
The letter states that "The real Jerry West prided himself on treating people with respect and dignity." "Winning Time is a baseless and malicious assault on Jerry West's character. You reduced the legacy of an 83-year old legend and role model to the of a vulgar and unprofessional bully, the polar opposite of the real man."
According to ESPN, West demands a "retraction, apology, and compensation."
The series Deadline has been renewed for a second season.
