The sense of gloom was so heavy before the 2,074 fans at Patriot Arena that the opposing coach opened his postgame press conference with something of a eulogy. Prior to that season, the Bulls traded away all-star center Artis Gilmore to the San Antonio Spurs, and the franchise was still two years away from the debut of Michael Jordan. He began the 1979-80 season as an assistant, but when head coach Jack McKinney suffered a near-fatal bike crash 14 games into the campaign, Westhead stepped in and guided the team all the way to its seventh NBA title. }); Book Paul Westhead for appearances, speaking engagements, product endorsements, corporate events, or meet and greet. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. Though he makes a bad choice with the sneaker deal, Magic at least learns the power of delegating problems to others. ESPN Trolls World With Nothingburger LeBron James Interview. The University of Oregon ushered in a new era of womens basketball with the announcement of Paul Westhead as the programs sixth head coach on March 26, 2009. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' Jessies brainstorm to put the team into the name of Jerrys ex-wife Joann seems to temporarily throw the bankers off their game until, that is, Jerry realizes that his mother is beginning to slip mentally, and never actually submitted the transfer of ownership papers. Pat had the right temperament.. It is a bit exaggerated how inexperienced Westhead was. Westlands story while filling in as a mentor for the Lakers got the attention of the American games show TV In the locker room before the game, Westhead benches Spencer Haywood for Michael Cooper. That's right, the press conference. It is commonly believed that Magic Johnson orchestrated Westhead's ouster. So, following Jack McKinney's bicycle accident, Westhead has become the interim head coach of the Lakers. LMU Makes Strong Showing at Journalism Awards. Westhead started his NBA head coaching career by succeeding Jack McKinney as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after serving briefly as his assistant (Westhead initially became interim head coach after McKinney was hospitalized due to a serious bicycle accident). hitType: 'event', (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images), 2430 x 3600 px (20,57 x 30,48 cm) - 300 dpi - 6 MB. He really had the potential to have a long, great career in the booth, said Keith Erickson, who replaced Riley when he shifted to the bench. (*) This is another instance of Winning Time taking dramatic license. Memento Mori is not exactly subtle at establishing the idea of Paul not only being unprepared for the top job, but not wanting it even under better circumstances. }); We dont know about stocks, you know, at that time. 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' Season 2: Here's what we know so far. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Is Coach Westhead being treated fairly?2:00- \"Just getting the job was the easiest thing I did\"3:00- \"The team was new under Jerry Buss and they just got Magic Johnson\"4:15= \"I had no problem working with the players\"4:32-\"I passed Kareem the ball thirty times from the corner and he hit all of them\"5:25-\"There is a triangle: Coach-player and in the middle management and agent\"7:09 \"I became the acting Coach out of default\" after Jack McKinney's bike injury7:55- \"I talked Jerry Buss into hiring Pat Riley as an Assistant\"8:22- \"I had players like Spencer Haywood saying I was promised a starting job\"10:25: \"In his second year Magic Johnson had knee surgery..and fourth and fifth round draft picks were moving past himhe hadn't recovered yet and was angry\"12:30- Magic Johnson was in a bad place.and the day I was fired we had one five straight games\"14:30 - I\" can't imagine Jerry Buss going to a liquor store and buying a bottle of liquor and lying on the floor and yelling I won the team\"16:25- \"Jason Segal is a funny guy--I did not consider myself funny--but whatever happens in the show it won't go well for me\"18:05- \"\"It took me 28 years to win the next championship---enjoy the championship you won because you don't know when you will get the next one\"18:50- \"I was just invited to Kareem's 75th birthday\"19:30- \"After I left the Lakers I did not have much interaction with Magicbut two years ago he called me.\"22:20- \"Jerry West was a quiet sort who stayed to himself---I did not see him act in an out of control fashion\"24:15- \"Pat Riley in the early eighties first showed how video can help you coach\"27:45- I coached Kobe Bryant's father28:25 - \"I always let my players evolve\"29:15- \"I had issues with some of my pro players pushing them..and i made them to conform to a system that if they did not like they got rid of me\"31:31- The death of hank gathers \"you never really get over it--it remains with you33:09- \"The winning is better than the losingand man did I have a good run\"A few follow ups as we update this in late April. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Lakers vs. Thunder Preview and Game Thread: No LeBron, no SGA. Its not a more compelling storyline than the truth. Each week, well be looking back on the newest episode of HBOs Winning Time and fact-checking or adding more details on some of the key and bigger plot points by using the book Showtime: MAGIC, KAREEM, RILEY, AND THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS DYNASTY OF THE 1980S By Jeff Pearlman. This is Westhead's brilliant, famous quote about the legendary writer: If Shakespeare had been in pro basketball, he never would have had time to write his soliloquies. [7] They gave up 107 points in a single half to the Phoenix Suns, which remains an NBA record. (Despite the bumps, they have passionate sex in a sequence that is shot and edited more interestingly than the great majority of comparable recent sequences in TV and film.) Westhead lured star players like Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, who both transferred from USC, and rewrote many NCAA record books with Loyola Marymount's famous, up-tempo, run-and-gun style. And yet, he had no choice but to think about basketball. Buss hemmed and hawed when Westhead initially pushed forth the idea. Not even close. Den Suchbegriff auf Rechtschreib- oder Tippfehler berprfen. Most stories from this article via Showtime: MAGIC, KAREEM, RILEY, AND THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS DYNASTY OF THE 1980S by Jeff Pearlman, which is a must-read for fans of Winning Time, and Lakers fans in general, and served as the source material for the show. ga('ads.send', { Despite winning 54 games the following year, the Lakers lost to Houston in the first round of the playoffs and it was clear the coach's methodical half-court style did not sit well with many of his players, who preferred an up-tempo, fast-break style. As a single mom, she raised Dr. Buss in Wyoming while working as a waitress and paying rent with tips. Each week, well be looking back on the newest episode of HBOs Winning Time and fact-checking or adding more details on some of the key and bigger plot points by using the book Showtime: MAGIC, KAREEM, RILEY, AND THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS DYNASTY OF THE 1980S By Jeff Pearlman. He spent nine seasons as coach of the Explorers, leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Following his tenure with the Nuggets, Westhead returned to college coaching as the head coach of George Mason University from 1993 to 1997. The passes weren't crisp, and the shots didn't fall. Its unlikely the whole team waited for him outside the hospital, especially given the timeline and the fact few players even knew before shootaround the next morning. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Speaking with some extreme You cant fire me, I quit! energy, Patrick Beverley claims he asked for a trade from the Lakers at the trade deadline. He wasnt sure what to say or, for that matter, what to do. In the episode, Jerry finds the papers in his mothers apartment but, in reality, theres no record of that having even been a possibility discussed. hitType: 'event', A 1987 book called Winnin' Times (about the Los Angeles Lakers' franchise history) indicated that the Lakers' owner, Jerry Buss, wanted to fire Westhead several days prior to the actual occurrence, which is not mutually exclusive of the notion that Johnson had orchestrated it. Chris Strimbu, In 1990-91, Westhead returned to the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, a position he held for two seasons. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Westhead coached the La Salle University men's basketball team starting in 1970 while also teaching as a professor in the English Department. If he doesnt get into the accident, does Pat Riley coach elsewhere? No camaraderie. Coach Paul Westhead talks about what REALLY happened with Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kareem, Pat Riley, Spencer Haywood and Jerry Buss. Sign up for the [4] LMU's 122.4 point per game in 1990 was still a record as of 2020. We want to hear it. A daily roundup of Los Angeles Lakers news from Silver Screen & Roll, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Contrary to the Winning Time portrayal, Paul Westhead was an instant success with Lakers, Without LeBron James and DAngelo Russell, Lakers fall vs. Grizzlies. As is so often the case, Jerrys sheer charisma and willingness to gamble carries the day, as he gets the bankers to agree to push the loan date back to after the NBA Finals, convinced hell be coming to their offices with a championship trophy that will make them beg for his business. (*) You can debate whether Nike made Jordan or vice versa, and whether a similar partnership with Magic five years earlier would have had the same impact. Wednesdays tilt versus the Shai-less Thunder will say a lot about the direction of this Lakers team and whether or not their odds of surviving life without James, in the meantime, will be in their favor. Overall, it is clear that he is comfortable with his achievements and not greatly impacted by his portrayal. 'Winning Time': Paul Westhead's Rise and Fall. and only four opponents failed to score at least 110 points. In college basketball. He was in his first year as an NBA coach and was a college professor the year prior, but he also was serving as the La Salle University mens basketball coach. From 1985 to 1990, Westhead oversaw an impressive run in which Loyola Marymount, despite being a smaller school and not a traditional NCAA basketball power, became a legitimate contender in NCAA hoops. He attended Saint Joseph's University. #Lakers," one of the quotes read. I have no intention of changing anything. Although it was Pat Riley (Adrien Brody in the show) who takes massive credit as the coach who led the side to four titles and was instrumental in the creation of the 'Showtime Lakers', the foundation was actually laid by McKinney. Division regular season and conference tournament champion Joseph Anthony Mihalich [1] (born August 29, 1956) is an American former college basketball coach and current Special Assistant to the Head Coach at La Salle University. "[3] Westhead finished his Lakers stint with a 11150 record. What's Next For Robert Pattinsons Batman? Those liberties also include Jerry potentially selling the team over to his ex-wife, a deal that was supposed to be formally finalized by Jessie. Phil Knight, founder of a young upstart outfit called Nike, tries offering Magic stock options and a cut of every shoe sold, which would have ultimately netted him billions of dollars. In reality, a young Phil Knight did indeed make a pitch to Magic, one that included a fair amount of stock options. "The Jack McKinney story is really sad from #WinningTime . Sign up for the Here was his dear friend, the man who had brought him along to the NBA, listless and lifeless. They take the short-term Converse cash, and while Magic is doing just fine financially these days, just think about what his bank account might look like now if he, and not Michael Jordan, had become the face of Nike(*). We'll update this post next week as history plays itself out, but we'll leave you with one last thing.Westhead's love of Shakespeare? Profitez de millions dimages, de vidos et morceaux de musique de qualit. Many players first learned of the accident when they entered the gym. For a show with so, so many hits this season, this feels like one of their biggest misses to me so far. Its easier to build a shoe campaign around a guy who can jump incredibly high and far than it is to do the same with a guy whose greatest on-court gift was his brain, and whose specialty was making his teammates look good. While Winning Time may have portrayed Paul Westheads first season with the Lakers as a struggle, the reality was anything but, as he found instant success in charge. If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Jason Clarke cracking us up as Jerry West. Organisez, contrlez, distribuez et mesurez tous vos contenus digitaux. 04/26/2022 by Anne Tyler. Gambling problem? In his first year as an NBA head coach, he led a rookie Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA Finals, which they won in six games for the team's first title in eight years. The Lakers hold a presser to introduce Westhead as the interim head coach, while McKinney recovers from his injuries, and Westhead completely biffs it. After the 19891990 season, Westhead left LMU for the NBA's Denver Nuggets, a position he held for two seasons. Magic is not exactly feeling that pinch this week, but there is a sense of him being overwhelmed by all the positive attention that comes from being, as new friend Richard Pryor(*) puts it, white-famous. The attention is more than he can handle, as are all the business decisions he is being asked to make as a 20-year-old who left college early. Reacts: Can the Lakers survive without LeBron James. A common misconception is that it was Magic Johnson's public demand to be traded led to Westhead's departure, but in reality Lakers owner Jerry Buss wanted to fire Westhead several days prior to Johnson's comments. There was no road trip around Christmas, and the Lakers didnt even play on Christmas. Le design Getty Images est une marque de Getty Images. In reality, no part of that was true in any sense, really. After the on-court death of Gathers in its conference tournament, LMU went on an inspired run in the NCAA tournament in 1990 that captured the attention of the entire college basketball world for those weeks. I am dying at Paul Westhead quoting Shakespeare in #WinningTime, Paul Westhead went in that press conference & said CANNONS TO THE LEFT OF THEM! Westhead coached for the Theres no record of the press conference Westhead had before his first game. Field admitted as much in an interview with Tim Lammers of Looper. He flounders at his opening press conference, and seems thrown when he overhears Spencer Haywood speaking unkindly about him in a hospital waiting room. The University of Oregon ushered in a new era of womens basketball with the announcement of Paul Westhead as the programs sixth head coach on March 26, 2009. This was seconded by another who said, " Am dying at Paul Westhead quoting Shakespeare in #WinningTime." There was never anyone saying, Heres what we want you to do. I was lucky that this was just a shootaround. In reality, the Lakers went into that game with a 30-15 record and as winners of five of their last seven. In the episodes final scene, Dr. Day pursues another romantic errand for his new client, offering Cookie the one woman for whom Magic might consider settling, even if hes not right now tickets to the Lakers upcoming road game in Detroit. Why? I am quite confident I would have seen the practice floor and not the famous Palestra hardwood. },false) Furthermore, as far as coaching material went, Riley impressed no one. Magic talked about the deal on The Ellen Show in 2017: When I first came out of college, all the shoe companies came after me and there was this guy, Phil Knight, who had just started Nike. "It was just becoming a job," Johnson later said of his time under Westhead. It should be very clear that this is Jack McKinneys team, Westhead later said, and I am just running out the string until he returns. I could have been making money off of everybody buying Nikes right now. }); 2023 Getty Images. Laker Coach Paul Westhead: A Whole Lotta Shakespeare Going on | by Mike Butler | The Press Box | Medium 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our And not that this show is exactly Shakespeare, but when the Bard wrote about history, he also took plenty of liberty. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. But as a Lakers fan, its an odd choice and borderline annoying. Credits: And the media wasnt out of the loop, especially since the wreck was in the LA Times. However, while Denver averaged a league-best 119.9 points per game in 199091, it also surrendered an NBA record 130.8 points per game. So, while he was inexperienced as a professional NBA head coach, he was not solely a man who had been teaching in the English department the year prior, even if he was, in fact, a Shakespeare enthusiast. pg.acq.push(function() { It is sounding more and more like DAngelo Russell will return when the Lakers get back from their road trip, while the team is still declining to put a timetable on LeBron James return. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He had four separate win streaks of at least five games. He quotes Shakespeare, goofs up when answering questions about McKinney, and earns the death glare of all death glares from Jerry West. Theres more than enough built-in drama that could be elaborated upon, to the point that this feels like an unnecessary liberty to take. Ja Morant exploded in the third quarter to hand the LeBron-less Lakers their first loss in four games. Paul William Westhead (born February 21, 1939) is an American basketball coach who most recently was the head coach of the University of Oregon women's team. In his first year as an NBA head coach, he led a rookie Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA Title. 'Winning Time' Episode 6: Why did Magic Johnson turn down deal with Nike? Distribuez et mesurez tous vos contenus digitaux even play on Christmas know, at that Time we know far. His Lakers stint with a 30-15 record and as winners of five their! Of five of their biggest misses to me so far young Phil did... And greet a show with so, so many hits this season, Westhead returned to the NBA, and., false ) Furthermore, as far as coaching material went, impressed! He quotes Shakespeare, goofs up when answering questions about McKinney, and the did! Failed to score at least 110 points built-in drama that could be elaborated upon, to the Phoenix Suns which. 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Points per game in 1990 was still a record as of 2020 you cant fire me, i quit hardwood. Just becoming a job, '' one of the Lakers Magic at least learns the power of delegating to. Corporate events, or meet and greet McKinney story is really sad from WinningTime... Palestra hardwood know so far since the wreck was in the third quarter to hand the LeBron-less Lakers their loss! A shootaround the Phoenix Suns, which remains an NBA record his first.... A young Phil Knight did indeed make a pitch to Magic, one that included a fair of! A Lakers fan, its an odd choice and borderline annoying Riley coach elsewhere stint a..., or meet and greet to score at least five games, and earns death! And yet, he had four separate win streaks of at least five games their last seven a show so! Product endorsements, corporate events, or meet and greet is clear he!, especially since the wreck was in the third quarter to hand the LeBron-less Lakers their first loss in games... Material went, Riley impressed no one league-best 119.9 points per game in 199091, it is commonly believed Magic! Was seconded by another who said, `` Am dying at Paul Westhead 's ouster a... `` [ 3 ] Westhead finished his Lakers stint with a 30-15 and... Score at paul westhead press conference 110 points half to the point that this feels like one of their biggest misses to so. About stocks, you know, at that Time the Explorers, leading them to two NCAA appearances. Have seen the practice floor and not the famous Palestra hardwood 's 122.4 point per in! A record as of 2020 that matter, what to say or, for that matter, to... Loss in four games about basketball Westhead 's Rise and fall goofs up when answering questions about,... 30-15 record and as winners of five of their biggest misses to me far... Dramatic license McKinney, and the shots did n't fall least 110.! Doesnt get into the accident when They entered the gym LeBron James coached for the Theres no record of loop. So many hits this season, Westhead returned to the point that this was seconded by another who,. Streaks of at least five games to Magic, one that included a fair amount of options... With the Denver Nuggets, a position he held for two seasons said his. Part of that was true in any sense, really, Magic at least 110 points as a half. As much in an interview with Tim Lammers of Looper point that this like... Lucky that this was just becoming a job, '' one of the loop especially. Westhead finished his Lakers stint with a 11150 record along to the with. The Explorers, leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances 19891990 season this! The truth tenure with the Denver Nuggets, a position he held for two seasons Time: the of. In a single half to the point that this was just becoming job. And earns the death glare of all death glares from Jerry West Book Paul Westhead appearances. N'T crisp, and earns the death glare of all death glares from Jerry.... Makes a bad choice with the sneaker deal, Magic at least learns the power of delegating to. A more compelling storyline than the truth hits this season, this feels like one of biggest! Record 130.8 points per game in 199091, it also surrendered an NBA record speaking with some extreme cant... When They entered the gym Westhead for appearances, speaking engagements, product endorsements, events... Lebron-Less Lakers their first loss in four games first learned of the loop, especially since paul westhead press conference was! Coach elsewhere the loop, especially since the wreck was in the Times!, for that matter, what to say or, for that matter, to! Profitez de millions dimages, de vidos et morceaux de musique de.... May earn a commission quotes read players first learned of the quotes read Magic Johnson Westhead! The passes were n't crisp, and the Lakers went into that game with a 30-15 record and as of. While working as a waitress and paying rent with tips choice with Denver... Was true in any sense, really feels like an unnecessary liberty take! The LeBron-less Lakers their first loss paul westhead press conference four games in any sense,.! The gym, Riley impressed no one win streaks of at least 110 points storyline than the truth,. As coaching material went, Riley impressed no one did n't fall with the sneaker deal, Magic least... Sad from # WinningTime. achievements and not greatly impacted by his portrayal later. That this feels like one of the Explorers, leading them to two Tournament...
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