TV Show review
Based on 2 seasons, 17 episodes · through September 17, 2023
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is a sports drama that tells the story of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. It focuses on the team's fast-paced style and their famous owners and players. The show highlights strong themes of racial tension and women fighting against a sexist sports world. Viewers will easily notice modern feminist ideas and direct criticism of systemic racism. The show often frames sports rivalries around race and points out unfair treatment of Black players.
Why 77%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.
Woke representation / casting
The show has a diverse cast that matches real history. However, it makes the roles of women like Jeanie Buss and Claire Rothman much bigger. It shows them fighting a sexist sports world using modern ideas about women in power.
35%
Woke political dialogue
The characters talk a lot about race, rights, and unfair treatment. Some of this fits the historical era. But the show often uses modern activist words. Characters directly attack systemic racism and say white owners treat players like property.
45%
Identity-driven story themes
The main story focuses on race and gender issues. The rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics is shown as a race war. The show also focuses on Black players finding power, Kareem's political activism, and Jeanie Buss fighting the patriarchy.
50%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The series attacks the sports business as greedy, sexist, and full of bad male behavior. It also shows the city of Boston and its white fans as completely racist. It portrays traditional family life as bad or holding women back.
55%
Woke character or canon changes
The show changes real history to push political ideas. It invents scenes to make racial tension look worse, such as showing Boston fans attacking the Lakers' bus. It also has a modern joke comparing Donald Sterling to Donald Trump.
45%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Many viewers did not like how the show pushed modern progressive ideas and focused so much on race. Critics said the show turned sports history into a political battle. They did not like that the show made up racist events or mocked conservatives.
40%
Creator track record context
Several key creators are known for progressive work. Creator Jim Hecht and director Tanya Hamilton make shows about civil rights and Black history. Writer Jeff Pearlman is an active progressive. They work alongside neutral crew members.
52%
Production
