'Winning Time' Episode 9: Was Wood Harris perfect as Spencer Haywood? Internet says 'he's killing it'

'Give Wood Harris an Emmy immediately. #WinningTime,' one of the tweets read
UPDATED MAY 2, 2022
Wood Harris as Spencer Haywood in 'Winning Time' Episode 9 (HBO)
Wood Harris as Spencer Haywood in 'Winning Time' Episode 9 (HBO)

Spencer Haywood may have been last in Episode 9 of 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty', but the fans will remember Wood Harris for acting his heart out as the former Lakers superstar. Spencer Haywood's promising and pivotal career with the purple and gold came to an end before the 1980 NBA Finals. The cocaine addiction had run its full course and that meant he was out for good.

The HBO drama makes some tweaks. Originally, it was Paul Westhead who threw him out after he fell asleep during practice. In the series, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the one with the deciding vote and it was implied that he voted against the power forward. That said, Twitter was all praise for Harris' portrayal of the player.

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"Wood Harris is killing this role as Spencer Haywood #WinningTime," one of the fans commented. "Wood Harris acted his tail off in this episode of #WinningTime. Maybe the best acting I’ve seen from him. Didn’t know he had that type of range," another seconded. "Looking back in hindsight getting rid of Jack McKinney and Spencer Haywood was for the best. You do whatever it takes to win at all costs at the end of the day. S/O to Wood Harris and Sally Field in this week’s episode. Both are incredible. RIP Jessie Buss. #WinningTime," a tweet read.

"That Spencer Haywood/Kareem scene: what a killer monologue for Wood Harris. I’ve been a fan of his forever but that might be a career highlight for him. #WinningTime," one of the comments said. "Give Wood Harris an Emmy immediately. #WinningTime," a fan remarked. "Listen!!! Wood Harris is just special!! This man is a whole legend out here #WinningTime #WinningTimeHBO," another viewer exclaimed. "Wood Harris was a great choice to play Spencer Haywood; Norm Nixon’s kid is doing a really good job of playing his old man #WinningTime," a tweet said.



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

What are your thoughts on Wood Harris' portrayal of Spencer Haywood?

'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on HBO.

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