Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty 1x8

1. Around about the birth of Christ,

2. the Romans came up with the concept of the mile.

3. It's the distance covered by a thousand paces of a Roman Legion.

4. That empire falls,

5. bunch of other ones pop up in its place,

6. but for 2,000 years of human history,

7. people everywhere believed the same damn thing.

8. That no human being can run that distance

9. in less than four minutes.

10. Ain't gonna happen.

11. Impossible.

12. God, I hate that fucking word.

13. And it's a good thing I'm not the only one.

14. - So one day, this skinny kid in England

15. says he's gonna take a crack at it.

16. Now, there are crummy conditions.

17. Wind, rain, a muddy track. They all say he's nuts,

18. which is exactly what they've been telling me lately.

19. But there he was,

20. just like me, running straight into the wind.

21. And after about three laps,

22. that skinny Brit was starting to lose faith.

23. Starting to wonder if maybe everybody was right.

24. Maybe it just could not be done.

25. But just as he was rounding the corner,

26. on that final stretch...

27. he heard a roar.

28. The crowd screaming for him to keep going,

29. filling his sails with a second wind,

30. and he crossed that finish line

31. at 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds.

32. And in that instant, a skinny Limey

33. shattered everything we thought we knew

34. about human limitation.

35. But why him?

36. He wasn't the fastest runner in the world.

37. He wasn't even a professional.

38. He was a scientist.

39. A doctor of neurology.

40. And that's how he knew

41. that the only real limitation

42. wasn't in the body.

43. It was in the mind.

44. Two thousand years since the invention of the mile,

45. and nobody ran it faster than four minutes

46. until Roger Bannister.

47. Guess how long it took the next guy to do it?

48. Forty-six days.

49. And you remember his name, right?

50. No?

51. Yeah, me neither.

52. ("My Favorite Mutiny" by The Coup playing

53. And the Lakers

54. notch win 40 of the year in record time,

55. now 22 and 5

56. since limping out of Boston in December.

57. Welcome to the 1980s.

58. Magic! Magic!

59. Congratulations on making the All-Star team.

60. - Thank you. - First rookie starter since Elvin Hayes.

61. Oh, word? Me and the Big E, huh?

62. - Top vote-getter right here, baby. - New poll coming tomorrow.

63. Have you seen? Of your fellow current players in the league,

64. only 10 said they'd have picked you as an All-Star.

65. I mean, that's got to sting a little, doesn't it?

66. Nah.

67. I'm still a rook.

68. Them old heads, they ain't even see me play yet.

69. Nineteen of them picked Larry Bird.

70. Yeah?

71. I guess that just mean that the fans know what's really up.

72. I'm sorry, I gotta go.

73. Ten votes?

74. Got 11 motherfuckers right here call theyselves my teammates.

75. Haywood out here taking a pounding for his team.

76. The question is, how much punishment can he take?

77. Oh, shit. Oh!

78. Better get that looked at.

79. I saw you limping out there.

80. This, Coach, this ain't nothin'.

81. - It's all good. I know my body. - Yeah?

82. Maybe you know how to ignore it.

83. - Hm. - Trust me, Spence.

84. I've been there. Give that a squeeze.

85. - Damn.

86. Spence, this was me "knowing my body."

87. Okay? This was me telling Coach,

88. "Don't worry about the limp. It's nothing."

89. 'Cause I didn't wanna lose my minutes.

90. But, I'll tell you what I know now.

91. We can't make it all the way without what you give this team.

92. You putting in the dirty work, coming off the bench.

93. I know that's not what you wanna be doin' here.

94. But we need that from you right now.

95. And we need you healthy,

96. so we can get you one of these.

97. - Yeah, it ain't no thing without the ring.

98. So, I want you to talk to Curran and get that knee evaluated.

99. - And take it easy if you have to. Alright. - Alright.

100. Hey! Let's bring it in.

101. - Alright. - Drumroll!

102. Oh...

103. Oh shit! Oh!

104. Okay. First place, motherfuckers!

105. What's Shakespeare got to say about that, Coach?

106. Ah, good question, Norman.

107. The Bard says...

108. - Let's not get cocky. - Is Shakespeare still alive?

109. We need 20 more to win the West.

110. And our friends in Boston— fuck Boston—

111. are not loafing.

112. If we keep playing like we're playing,

113. there is a championship

114. within our grasp.

115. Uh-huh.

116. So, I want you to dwell on that on your days off.

117. But first, I wanna leave you with something.

118. - No, no, no, no, no. You're gonna...

119. - You're gonna like—

120. Just give me a chance. This is a good one.

121. "Blow, winds,

122. and crack your cheeks."

123. - What the fuck?

124. Et tu, Pat?

125. Oh, I warned you, Paul! I warned you! I warned you!

126. - You missed a spot! - Coach!

127. - Wow, Coach, look at you! - Oh, shit.

128. Good to see you back in fighting form.

129. - Good to see you. - Good to see you.

130. - Hey, Jack. - Hi, Jack.

131. Sorry about the Dixie Cups.

132. Become something of a tradition.

133. - To 31. - Cheers.

134. Don't you mean 40?

135. Yeah, of course.

136. It's just— This is just...

137. This is sort of our own...

138. Oh, right.

139. Well, you're lookin' spry.

140. Tell it to my doctors.

141. Yeah? They're, uh...

142. They're telling you you should take it slower or...

143. If it were up to them, I'd be coaching from my La-Z-Boy

144. for the rest of my life.

145. Which reminds me, whose bright idea was it

146. to bury Haywood on the bench?

147. It was, uh...

148. Uh, Jack, after you left,

149. - Haywood, um— - He was a problem.

150. And you solve that by taking away his minutes?

151. Making him a punching bag?

152. Man can put up 15 points a game.

153. I want him in his rhythm by the playoffs.

154. Okay...

155. Well, actually, uh, Jack,

156. we, uh, we think we might be better off without him.

157. I mean, he's been playing through it,

158. but that knee's pretty beat.

159. You know, he might not even make it through the playoffs.

160. You know, but if he's strong enough to pass a physical,

161. word is that, uh,

162. Detroit might part with McAdoo.

163. Is that your grand plan?

164. Hey, uh, listen, obviously,

165. we wouldn't make a move without you.

166. - Without, uh, talking to you first. - Oh.

167. Look I mean, Haywood's a good guy.

168. I mean, he's a great player,

169. but, you know, his prime's in the rear-view.

170. McAdoo is an All-Star,

171. and we can't pass that up. That's a win.

172. He's not right for the system.

173. Get Spencer in the starting five.

174. I want to see that unit against Philly.

175. I mean, of course. Yeah. I'll get you film—

176. No need. I'll be there.

177. Starting next week, I'm traveling with the team.

178. Excuse me, Pat.

179. - Well...

180. - Ow!

181. Michael Cooper with a game-winning basket...

182. Hey.

183. That was my fault in there.

184. Pat and I have a repartee.

185. Uh, he's a passionate guy,

186. but he-he's a loyal soldier, and he'll...

187. he'll slide down the bench, no problem.

188. He won't have to.

189. Jack, what are you talking about?

190. He's not coming with us.

191. He left his job.

192. - Jack, I promised him he'd have a spot. - I didn't.

193. The second I'm back on that bench,

194. I'm under a microscope.

195. Everybody looking for a reason I'm not ready.

196. You're the only one I trust to watch my back, Paul.

197. Family only.

198. - When do we tell Pat? - Whenever you want.

199. But I'd do it sooner than later.

200. Shouldn't be too long before the doctors clear me.

201. You ought to give him time to find a landing pad.

202. Okay.

203. Oh, for God's sakes.

204. I have broken out of weaker cuffs than this!

205. Oh, I'm worn out.

206. Grandma, Grandma,

207. here, let me— D-don't— that's littering!

208. - Grandma. - Goodness sakes, that's the least of my problems.

209. - And I need— I need that. - No, you don't.

210. - No, you don't. It's a straight shot. - You're going to get us killed.

211. I need a blot. I need a blot. Lean in.

212. - You're gonna kill us.

213. Blend that in. You're paler than I am,

214. and I've got one foot in the grave.

215. You gotta stop talking like that.

216. You're out of the woods. You beat this thing.

217. Well...

218. that's our story, and we're stickin' to it.

219. - What? - Jeanie, pick a direction.

220. Either act like you don't want to know or ask me flat-out.

221. Know what? The fluid is out of your lungs,

222. and they're sending you home.

223. I mean, they wouldn't do that unless—

224. Unless I told them to.

225. I told them I refused to kick the bucket

226. under fluorescent lights. Ah!

227. I'm going out like Cleopatra

228. with a great wig and a stiff drink.

229. - Maybe we can find an asp. - I'm sorry,

230. what are you telling me right now? What are you saying?

231. They drained the fluid from my lungs, yes,

232. but that's not all that's in there and everywhere.

233. And it ain't goin' away.

234. But, they can't just give up though. Dad wouldn't let them.

235. Gerald doesn't know.

236. And that's precisely the way we need to keep it.

237. Do you understand?

238. Jeanie...

239. - Sweetie, come on, now. Come on. - I ca— I can't...

240. - I can't lie to him. - Well, of course, you can!

241. You do it every day.

242. You see exactly who he is. The act,

243. the girls. The rat's nest on top of his head.

244. That's what it is to love a man.

245. They're weak, they're feeble.

246. They need the show.

247. - Hey!

248. Oh!

249. Good God in Heaven.

250. Look at you. You're fresh out of the slammer,

251. you already look like a million bucks!

252. Well, I should. I'm sure that's what it cost you.

253. - You're worth every penny. - Oh, yeah, yeah.

254. - Got you a little somethin'. - Oh.

255. Look!

256. Warm champagne. My very favorite.

257. Jeanie, would you put this on ice, honey? Yes.

258. Hey, kid.

259. Ma, this is the new girl.

260. Hello. I'm Lucía.

261. Oh. Well,

262. I hope you know how to mix a stiff martini.

263. I didn't cheat death just to die of boredom.

264. Up with an olive?

265. Oh, two.

266. I like this one.

267. Well, my last patient was particular.

268. Always had to have his nightcap, right until the end.

269. Well, there's not gonna be any "end" to this job.

270. It's nothing but martinis, right, Ma?

271. - Absolutely. Uh-huh. - She's gonna outlive us all.

272. I got you a little something.

273. Oh, dear.

274. Actually, a big "little something."

275. 'Cause you can't watch the All-Star Game in black and white!

276. Look at that.

277. So this is it.

278. These are the All-Stars.

279. They told me you are America's best.

280. But alls I see is America's beasts.

281. It's a different generation.

282. - Ain't that Dr. J? - Quit looking, girl.

283. Why not? Had that damn face staring at me

284. from all those posters in your room.

285. Imagine what he saw you do.

286. Well, we big-time now, so just play it cool.

287. You play it cool all you want.

288. You said you wanted me here to be real with you.

289. Hm? And, for real...

290. This is pretty neat.

291. - It is that.

292. Glad you could make it.

293. Been missin' you.

294. How bad?

295. - What you mean? - Told you about

296. that job I applied for in Detroit?

297. What, you got it?

298. Mine if I want it.

299. Good shit, Cook! All that lookin' foxy paying off.

300. Thing is, they're starting up a new branch in LA.

301. Detroit it is.

302. - Nah, nah— - I know that look, Earvin.

303. Nah, I want you to. I do.

304. There's the young brother I'm dying to see. Earvin Magic.

305. Julius Irving...!

306. Ooh!

307. Doc!

308. Told you last time, my friends call me Julius.

309. We might as well be friendly. Everybody sayin' you the next me.

310. Nah, man. Never that.

311. Dr. Johnson guarded by Dr. J.

312. He's been giving him problems all night.

313. Makes his move!

314. Bam! Oh!

315. Dr. Johnson with the house call! Woo!

316. And, uh, this lovely lady?

317. Oh!

318. This my, uh...

319. This Cookie.

320. - Earleatha Kelly. - Nice to meet you, Ms. Kelly.

321. - We're having a little soiree in the room after the game.

322. You and your beau should stop on by.

323. — Earvin/ - Yeah! Okay! - Okay.

324. Uh-oh, don't look now. Here come Yogi and Boo-Boo.

325. Eh, what's up, Doc?

326. - Mr. Commissioner.

327. - What's shakin', David? - Always a pleasure, Julius.

328. Doc, let me buy you a drink!

329. See you on the floor, young blood.

330. We're hitting the buffet.

331. Two things in this league vanish if you blink—

332. marriages and shrimp cocktails.

333. The Commissioner and I were hoping

334. you'd have time for a bite after the game.

335. Talk about the future of the league with our...

336. two most exciting rookies.

337. Two...

338. Right...

339. Looking forward to it, Earvin.

340. Right on. Me, too. Me, too.

341. You know, it's fun watching you out there.

342. Looks like you're having a blast.

343. Only way the Magic Man know how to play.

344. Well, thank goodness for that.

345. That smile is contagious.

346. Wanna know a secret?

347. Well, well, well, Zeke, that is one

348. happy motherfucker right there.

349. Huh? Unlike you, you miserable fuckin' prick.

350. You didn't know how to be happy even when we fuckin' won.

351. Yeah? Fuck you, too.

352. Shit. Fucking hand, I swear to God,

353. I'm gonna fuckin'...

354. Fuck.

355. Welcome to the 1980 NBA All-Star game...

356. - Let's get ready! - ... on CBS, live from Landover, Maryland.

357. - Where East meets West for basketball supremacy. - Alright, here we go!

358. Let's go, Kareem! That's crazy.

359. Dr. J, Dr. J charging up court,

360. and he's up and—

361. Ooh!

362. - Ooh, shit!

363. That's embarrassing.

364. Doc just put that Statue of Liberty on Cap.

365. God bless America.

366. Kareem about to be a surly motherfucker.

367. Hey! Language, language, language.

368. Don't make me bust out the swear jar.

369. Too late for that, Coach.

370. Spence got mama's titties on the wall.

371. - Body ain't nothin' to be ashamed of, man. - Not one like that.

372. Alright, somebody wants to make

373. another trip to the jungle gym.

374. Spence, walk with us, please, will ya?

375. Okay, you lead the way, sweetheart. Here we go.

376. Here we go. Watch your step.

377. Did he say anything else?

378. Who?

379. What? Jack.

380. Like what our roles will be once he comes back.

381. I mean, there's not a lot of other teams out there

382. with two assistants, right?

383. - So, I'm just wondering how he sees it. - Right.

384. Um, he didn't really say anything, so...

385. I'm sure we're gonna feel it out.

386. - Are you good? - Yeah. I have to hit the head.

387. - Here we go. - I am so sorry

388. - about the Chinese finger trap. - You kidding?

389. With handles like these,

390. - she might be battling you for minutes. - Well,

391. I ain't got too many of them to lose.

392. Now, I ain't complaining, Coach.

393. You looking at a humble man. I just— I'll do anything

394. to win, you know. I want my little girl

395. inheriting a ring.

396. That case, I'm gonna need more out of you.

397. I'm talking scoring, minutes...

398. Come playoffs, I want you to be prepared

399. to carry more of the offensive load.

400. I'm surprised to hear that because the Professor and Riles

401. got me thinkin' defense first.

402. That's them.

403. I'm coming back now, and they know the new deal.

404. We're gonna get you ramped up.

405. And I don't want you worried about these rumors either.

406. Rumors?

407. About McAdoo and all this trade baloney.

408. I want you to know your place here is secure, okay?

409. Yeah. Cool.

410. That's good to know.

411. - Woo!

412. Halftime at the NBA All-Star Game.

413. Tied score

414. and what a sensational performance

415. from rookies Magic Johnson

416. and Larry Bird.

417. Gerald, your new toys are very pretty,

418. but could we please switch the channel to "Dynasty"?

419. I need to see what's happening.

420. This is the newest dynasty right here!

421. Come on, Ma, us!

422. Hey, hon, will you get me a refill?

423. - Come on. - Me, me, me, me, me.

424. And "me, me," too, here. Me, me.

425. This guy can't make a free throw to save his life.

426. - Which one is yours? Any of them? - Kareem and Magic.

427. The tall one and— The two tall ones.

428. Here you go, sweetie, thank you.

429. They need the show.

430. - Right here, honey. - Sure, why not?

431. Thank you, sweetie. Ooh! Careful! Mm!

432. Mm. The Colonel has arrived!

433. Ma, what do you like? Breast? Thigh?

434. You tell me, you're the connoisseur.

435. - Well, I like 69, but to each their own.

436. Mm... Mm...

437. I don't know why anybody makes chicken themselves.

438. Come on, kid, dig in there! Get some of that chicken, Jeanie.

439. - Oh, well...

440. You okay, sweetie?

441. It was the Champagne?

442. Uh-huh!

443. Clearly, she's got her mother's stomach.

444. It's okay. Just... Just get me the club soda.

445. I'll clean it up. Just get the club soda...

446. - Mostly in the bucket. That's the good news and the bad news. - I got this.

447. I'll clean it up. Ah, crap.

448. It's stuck. Stupid jewels!

449. Okay, it's okay. It's okay. I got it.

450. Hand me the club soda, will you?

451. - Just hand me the club soda! - Here, here, here.

452. - Like this.

453. - Right there. Ooh. - ... Larry Bird and Magic Johnson spar.

454. Neither one is backing down from the fight,

455. that's for sure.

456. - Lucky Larry Bird puts the East over the top

457. with the first-ever three-point shot

458. in an NBA All-Star Game.

459. 'Course they found a way to get

460. that white boy three for chucking up a prayer.

461. Whoa, easy on the white boy, huh?

462. Dunks should be worth three, man.

463. Damn sight harder.

464. Shit, Doc's slams should've been worth five.

465. Ain't that right, Wood?

466. Wood!

467. - Wood! - Hm?

468. Let me put this baby away. Come on, baby.

469. I got you. Let's go.

470. I understand. I understand.

471. Da-da-da-da-da-da-da.

472. There she go.

473. - What I do? Huh?

474. I'll be right back. I'll be right back.

475. - Alright. Be safe. - See ya.

476. Oh, there he is!

477. Spence...

478. Appreciate the hospitality, man.

479. Th-this was really great for the team.

480. - Yeah? What team's that? - Yeah.

481. - What? - The one you trying to trade me to?

482. - What are you talking about? - Man,

483. here I am, thinkin' you've been awful worried

484. about me healing up.

485. Now, I know you don't give a fuck about me.

486. - Just checking my teeth for the auction block. - Hold on a second.

487. That's not what happened. What-what...

488. - Where'd you hear this? - The fuck's it matter if it's true?

489. Huh?

490. What, what fucking— How does it fucking matter?

491. You come here, you drink my beer,

492. you smile at my baby,

493. and the whole damn time,

494. the whole goddamn time,

495. you planning on shipping me off!

496. - Hey, Wood, that is not— - Get the fuck outta my house!

497. Take it easy.

498. - Is he all right? - Shit, man, does he seem all right to you?

499. He told Wood about the fucking trade.

500. Had to be Jack!

501. Who else? Huh? Fucking undermining us!

502. - You don't know that. - Yes, I do.

503. Well, even if he did, it's his prerogative.

504. He's coaching his team.

505. Yeah, since when?

506. It's not his ass out there on the line.

507. It's us! Huh?

508. We're the ones that just got thrown into the fucking sea

509. of dog shit!

510. And you need to talk to him.

511. And say what? Huh? Tell him what?

512. We work for him!

513. We work for him.

514. - He is coming back. - Great.

515. If I...

516. If I were you, I would not pick a fight.

517. I would find a way to make myself essential.

518. Prove my worth.

519. Prove my worth?

520. I'm saying that we all knew that this was temporary.

521. Temporary is the first fucking month.

522. Two maybe!

523. We coached 50 games!

524. Fifty!

525. You!

526. - Still his team. - Not anymore.

527. It's your team. It's ours.

528. You don't see the way the guys look at you?

529. Like you're their coach.

530. - I would not be here if it was not for Jack. - Yeah?

531. - Yeah. - He wouldn't be here if it wasn't for us.

532. That's the truth.

533. We saved his job, Paul.

534. We made this the best team in the fuckin' league.

535. They're the best.

536. - You want to walk away from— - I don't have a fucking choice!

537. We're lucky to be here.

538. Not off grading papers.

539. Not getting the fist from Chick.

540. Just try not to forget it. Okay?

541. Yeah...

542. Turns out this guy from Italy

543. smuggled a home movie back to Rome.

544. - For real? - Mm. You and Bird in that Boston game,

545. showing it in theaters.

546. - I'm a movie star?

547. Well, that's why we're here.

548. Now, the commissioner sees an opportunity for a new PR push.

549. East versus West,

550. city kid versus farm boy.

551. Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader.

552. That's the kind of box office we want.

553. Got the wrong Luke then.

554. Larry got the whiteness, but he ain't got the Force.

555. Mumbling, mean-mugging.

556. You need you...

557. a Jedi.

558. Then maybe we're on to something special.

559. Special enough for Rookie of the Year?

560. That got him, huh?

561. The writers vote on that award, of course.

562. We don't control who wins.

563. Yeah, you don't.

564. But, you do...

565. Just sayin'.

566. Force strong with Mr. Stern.

567. Being a hero is a full-time job.

568. Quite a spotlight.

569. Some youngsters in your shoes can't help themselves

570. and pick the Dark Side.

571. That ain't Magic.

572. Hiya, fellas!

573. Look what the cat dragged in!

574. - Commissioner. - Larry.

575. - What's up, Larry? Good win.

576. - Sweet shot at the end. - I know.

577. Too bad you ain't had that back in Boston.

578. Ooh!

579. They got Bud here?

580. Yeah, can we get a Bud for this young man?

581. Can he get that young man a Bud?

582. Take a rum bun.

583. Cook, you shoulda seen it!

584. Had 'em right where I wanted 'em!

585. Bird ain't say shit the whole night!

586. Two league dudes was all up on me

587. like two white pigeons!

588. What I tell you? Only thing

589. they like more than one of they own is one of us

590. that make 'em feel comfortable.

591. Ooh, you look good, girl.

592. Rhonda called.

593. Your, your friend Rhonda?

594. Your friend, too!

595. You hung out in Lansing.

596. You weren't there. I was being polite.

597. Were you polite enough to wear a rubber?

598. - Okay. Okay. Aight. We did our thing,

599. but-but you was the one who said you had something else to do!

600. She's having your baby.

601. Nah. Nah...

602. Nah, Cook. That ain't true! Come on!

603. That ain't true! She lying!

604. Cook, you know that ain't true!

605. Dr. Day warned me about all this shit!

606. Once you got money, people got a target on your back!

607. - Come on! You don't believe that! - She is my friend!

608. I see her at church! At school!

609. Now, I gotta walk around and see her gettin' bigger every week,

610. with little Earvin Jr. in her belly?

611. - No! No! - Cookie, there ain't gonna be no Earvin Jr.!

612. - Come on, Cook! We got Dr. J!

613. Fuck!

614. Earvin...

615. If Cookie's still feeling sick,

616. you tell her that I will bring her some moonstone,

617. some black tourmaline

618. for the negativity, because that's the thing

619. that Western medicine does not understand,

620. it's that true healing, real healing,

621. it's not physical. It's spiritual.

622. You want a second opinion from a doctor about that?

623. - My man.

624. Nice playing out there, young blood.

625. - Ah, thanks, man. - Where's your better half?

626. Oh, yeah. She, uh...

627. She real sorry she couldn't make it.

628. Those shrimp, they ain't sittin' right.

629. Excuse me.

630. Word to the wise.

631. Next time, just say it's her time of the month.

632. Everybody at the party ate those shrimp.

633. - Ah shit... - None of my business. Just pullin' a brother's coat.

634. Appreciate that.

635. You're in a moment, little brother.

636. Worst thing in the world is losing a good woman.

637. Maybe a little late with this one though.

638. She break shit? Get the cops called?

639. Nah. Nah, nah. That ain't Cookie.

640. It'll be alright. Takes two to tango.

641. We choose them, but they choose us, too.

642. You think she'd be wantin' your ass so bad if nobody was chasin' it?

643. You right.

644. - You ain't no doctor.

645. - You a mind reader, man. - No, no, no.

646. I'm just a friend who's lived it, alright?

647. That's the sick joke.

648. Finally found my fuckin' thing,

649. - and now, it's gone. - Don't be so dramatic.

650. - You're still there. - As what?

651. Ball boy? Cheerleader?

652. That's if McKinney doesn't fire me.

653. And we're not exactly seeing eye-to-eye.

654. You do with Paul.

655. I did.

656. He's loyal to Jack.

657. The guy is his family.

658. Family can be a burden.

659. What does that mean?

660. That means bonds like that,

661. sometimes, they can start to feel like shackles.

662. And maybe Paul wants this as bad as you do.

663. Maybe he needs you to help him with the key.

664. - Ah! - You okay, Jack?

665. Yeah, the... flash just got me good.

666. How's about a little note, huh?

667. Little something for the wall?

668. Oh, right.

669. - Hey. - Hey.

670. Hm...

671. Hey now.

672. - This one's going right next to Rocky. - There you go.

673. Thanks for the memory.

674. You remember Nick, though, right?

675. Oh, no, of course. I just— It ...

676. It takes me a minute to, uh,

677. - connect the dots these days. - Uh-huh.

678. Which is why

679. I'm really gonna need your help when we're back out there.

680. I'm really gonna be leaning on you.

681. Oh, yeah, of course. Of course.

682. Pat could be very helpful with that, too. He is...

683. - He's a hell of a resource. - No Pat.

684. I need people I can trust, Paul.

685. It's as simple as that.

686. - You understand? - You know I do— Sorry.

687. - I just, uh— - Then have the conversation with him!

688. Or I will!

689. I have to use the john.

690. - I'm gonna have a BLT. - Okay.

691. - Do you want coffee? - No, Jack!

692. interim assistant coach Pat Riley

693. is confident that Paul Westhead, interim head coach,

694. is up to snuff.

695. - Welcome to Philadelphia. - Hey, thanks very much.

696. Hey, uh...

697. Uh, pal, can, can you turn this up a minute?

698. They're playing well. We're, uh...

699. Good to get eyes on 'em now. Might see 'em later on in the season.

700. You've been holding it together for a while now,

701. but it must be nice to have

702. McKinney travel with the team again.

703. Yeah, well, Jack's still got a road ahead.

704. You don't expect him back for playoffs?

705. You shanty Irish New York cocksucker.

706. Fuck you.

707. You first.

708. I don't, uh, I don't speak for Jack or anybody else,

709. but, uh...

710. the way the team's playing under Paul, we got a good thing.

711. Everybody's happy.

712. Changing horses midstream, that's, uh...

713. Well, that's just a big risk.

714. Thank you. Thanks, guys.

715. - Thanks, Coach. - Yeah.

716. I will talk to him.

717. - I'm asking you a question! - It's the truth!

718. Why did you air our dirty laundry

719. - on fucking television?

720. - What the hell were you thinking? - About you! About us!

721. About the fact that we're fuckin' great at this, man.

722. We're fucking great at it,

723. and we've got a shot here to win it all.

724. You know how rare that is? Do you?

725. Most guys go their whole fucking lives,

726. they never get a chance at this once.

727. We have it, if we want it. We have it.

728. I am not about to stab Jack in the back.

729. Good. Then go talk to him, for Christ's sake.

730. Go speak to him, man-to-man.

731. Make him understand that we should be the ones

732. to finish out the year.

733. He can come back next year when he's healthy,

734. and we'll move on someplace else.

735. - I got to piss. - No.

736. Look at me! You tell me this team is better off

737. with Jack McKinney as its coach. Huh?

738. Not Jack before the accident. Jack now.

739. - Tell me that.

740. We had our shot.

741. - Oh, bullshit. - It was— It was great.

742. I fucking loved it.

743. - I'm not about to steal his. - Oh, don't be a pussy.

744. You didn't put him on that fucking bike!

745. - Just let me fucking pee in peace! - No!

746. - Not until I hear you say it! - Jesus, for Christ's sakes.

747. Not until you say the fucking truth!

748. That you want this thing!

749. You want this thing as much as I do!

750. - It's not about that. - Yes, it is.

751. He's like a brother to me.

752. Well then, he'll understand.

753. Jesus fuck! Is that fucking blood?

754. Fuck!

755. - Hey, we need help! - Pat?

756. - We need help in here! Paul?

757. Paul? Paul!

758. - Something wrong? - Go get the fucking trainer!

759. Good morning.

760. Good morning.

761. - Hospital administration, huh?

762. One day.

763. Regular hours, steady pay.

764. Mm.

765. You know,

766. my mom put herself through night school, too.

767. Where is she, anyway? She's still sleeping it off?

768. - Yeah. Your daughter, too. - Well,

769. guess we're not the Partridge Family.

770. I've seen worse.

771. Anyway, thanks for sticking around.

772. Hope your husband isn't too upset

773. that I wasn't able to drive you home.

774. I hope wherever he is, he's miserable.

775. Vaya con díos, huh?

776. Vaya con somebody.

777. Just not me. Not his son.

778. Me and my mom were on our own, too.

779. For a while.

780. Those were the salad days.

781. You love her very much.

782. I respect her even more.

783. What she did with what she had, what she put up with?

784. Raising me when she's still a kid herself.

785. No help from any man to call himself a husband,

786. that's for damn sure.

787. I don't know how you ladies do it.

788. But I'd do anything to pay it back.

789. - You're a good son. - Your boy will see it that way, too.

790. Do you wanna see a picture of him?

791. Yeah!

792. - What's his name? - Mario.

793. - I'll tell you what.

794. You keep doing the right thing by my mom,

795. once she's back up on her feet, and you're done...

796. I'll pick up the tab.

797. Your school, your tuition, you know, whatever it takes.

798. On one condition.

799. That you let me sit with him at your graduation,

800. so I can see his face.

801. That's...

802. That's very generous of you.

803. I have my moments.

804. What's wrong with you?

805. Jeanie-bean.

806. She's here for Grandma.

807. Yeah, of course, she is.

808. You're not the fucking patient!

809. Jeanie, you don't know what you're talking about.

810. I know she's dying.

811. Did you know that?

812. The treatment

813. didn't work, and her cancer is back.

814. And she made all the doctors promise not to tell you

815. because, God forbid,

816. we put a damper on your good time

817. and make you feel bad for sleeping till noon

818. - and fucking the nurse! - That's enough!

819. It's fine. I'm finished.

820. - Is that what you heard?

821. I'm sorry.

822. Well, shit.

823. This is Chick Hearn alongside Keith Erickson.

824. Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, folks,

825. where a capacity crowd is here to see

826. the dazzling Dr. Julius Erving

827. face off with fellow All-Star Magic Johnson.

828. But the drama for the Lakers, once again,

829. is on the sidelines, Keith,

830. with interim Head Coach Paul Westhead

831. rushed minutes ago to Temple Hospital

832. to have a kidney stone removed.

833. Not making this up, leaving his assistant,

834. our own Pat Riley, as interim interim Head Coach.

835. This is becoming quite a tongue twister.

836. And of course, we wish Paul all the best and a speedy—

837. Folks, we've said it before,

838. but if you want a car or truck, go see Cal.

839. Cal Worthington and his dog Spud—

840. Well...

841. it's nice to be the guy without the catheter for once.

842. The job should come with hazard pay.

843. Does that cover daggers in the back?

844. Jack,

845. will you let us finish out the year?

846. I'm not trying to steal your team, Jack.

847. No?

848. While you recuperate,

849. while you get ready for next season.

850. It's what's best for everyone.

851. - I understand. - Especially the guys—

852. You do?

853. I understand completely.

854. Jack...

855. You have no idea what a relief that is. I...

856. I drove myself sick—

857. Do you know why I picked you, Paul?

858. Because I know how hard that job can be.

859. How frustrating...

860. Being stuck as someone's flunky

861. when you're capable of more.

862. I didn't want someone to go through that.

863. Like I did.

864. That's why I picked you.

865. Because you're not capable of more.

866. No... Actually, that's not fair.

867. I thought I saw loyalty.

868. So, you did surprise me after all.

869. This is my life's work

870. you want to take away from me.

871. You fucking dilettante.

872. Alright, Paul's not here,

873. but we're sticking with the plan. Stick with the plan.

874. Push the ball. Intensity on defense and rebound.

875. Let's go. Team on three.

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

877. Let's go, fellas.

878. Welcome to the hot seat, Coach.

879. Might wanna look into some life insurance.

880. Welcome to Philadelphia, young blood.

881. - Ready for this? - You already know it.

882. What's up? Are you ready?

883. - I know you're ready. - Good.

884. Tonight with the All-Star break behind them, the Lakers will be

885. looking to get back to their winning ways.

886. Always better when you can get that first win

887. - under your belt. - Absolutely.

888. Go! Go.

889. Looks a little different up close.

890. My, oh, my, Keith, I'll tell you,

891. a blistering loss for these Lakers.

892. And easily, I got to tell you,

893. the worst game of the season for young Magic Johnson,

894. who looked every bit the rookie

895. out there next to Dr. J.

896. Just a-a very poor performance by the young kid from Lansing.

897. We showing you enough hospitality

898. in the City of Brotherly Love?

899. - Come on, man.

900. You what— You ain't got enough on the court?

901. You gotta dunk on me in the locker room, too?

902. Come on. Cap. Good game. Really good game.

903. Good to see you, Coop. Big Spence.

904. - I got bruises all over my body 'cause of you. - Oh yeah?

905. Yeah, yeah. You take it easy next time, alright?

906. You take it easy every time.

907. Alright, now, Choney. Good game, young blood.

908. You, too.

909. How's your lady and those shrimp? You still up to join us

910. on the town? I did offer.

911. I'm good.

912. Thanks, though.

913. Raincheck.

914. This just tonight.

915. You know that, don't you?

916. They gonna be other nights.

917. There always are.

918. That Julius is a real nice fellow.

919. Yeah. Cool as all get-out.

920. Played you like a fucking fiddle.

921. Know, Russell used to do the same thing to Wilt.

922. Before a game, he'd take him out to dinner,

923. make like he was the best of friends, and then...

924. slit his throat.

925. Never understood why Wilt kept fallin' for it.

926. I landed on the thought...

927. that he needed to be liked more than he had to win.

928. Anyways...

929. he got his wish.

930. That's why you ain't want to draft me?

931. Think I needed to be liked?

932. I thought you were a little too happy.

933. - Well, I'm a happy guy. - No, you're not.

934. No, you hide it behind those set of pearly whites,

935. so most folks never know. But, I do.

936. Because I know that feeling.

937. If I had any sense,

938. I'd be sitting on a fuckin' beach right now...

939. with my beautiful bride sipping Mai-Tais and giving her a baby.

940. But I told her...

941. Riley needed backup, so I swung out here to watch you guys

942. living a life I bitched about for 20 fuckin' years.

943. Go fuckin' figure.

944. You think we got what it take to win it all?

945. Got the talent. That's a gimme.

946. But that's only ever gonna get you press and pussy though.

947. A championship...

948. Well...

949. that takes a real killer.

950. I scored 25,192 points in my career.

951. You know what keeps me up?

952. If I'd scored 10 more in just five games,

953. I'd have five rings instead of fuckin' nightmares.

954. You got that one though.

955. Yeah.

956. And I wouldn't give it up for all the fucking happy in the world.

957. You know, we holed up in a place just like this

958. when we first got here, Ma and me.

959. - I'm sorry.

960. She's gonna die.

961. I'm sorry.

962. Happy's a distraction.

963. Nobody...

964. Nobody will ever understand that.

965. Not your family. Not your fucking teammates.

966. Not your woman. Nobody.

967. Matter of fact, they might even hate your fucking guts

968. because of it.

969. I wanna win.

970. - I want... - You what?

971. I wanna win.

972. I wanna win.

973. I fucking want— I fucking wanna win!

974. I got to!

975. I got to.

976. Well...

977. we're gonna find out.