'Winning Time' Episode 10: Will HBO series finale show the firing of Paul Westhead?
While it's unlikely that 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' Episode 10 will focus on the exit of Paul Westhead as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the finale will surely set the tone for his exit in an already confirmed Season 2 of the HBO drama. It is well-documented that 'The Professor' would be replaced by his assistant coach Pat Riley (played by Adrien Brody) early into his third season as the coach. He won the 1980 NBA Finals as a coach as the side pipped the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.
The following year, the team made the playoffs but lost to the Houston Rockets led by Moses Malone. In the locker room, there was enough tension between Paul Westhead and Magic Johnson. The latter wanted to incorporate a fast break offense that suited his versatile style of play while Westhead was keen to build his attack around Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jeff Pearlman, in his book, 'Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s' explains the infamous Westhead exit.
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Pearlman's interviews with the players provide the early hint that all wasn't right with Westhead and the Lakers camp. Jamaal Wilkes, one of the players on the roster felt "trouble started" when Westhead fancied himself as somewhat of a basketball genius. The author also adds that it was the introduction of 'The System' that led to the Lakers' downfall that season. Even though Jack McKinney was fired in the 1979-80 season, the side had built their game based on his fast-break tactics. The ball was inbounded at a double-quick pace and everything to the opponents would be a blur. In Pearlman's words, the new method meant "Thoughts replacing instinct".
Sharing his thoughts on the new offense was former Lakers PG Norman Nixon, who was supposed to be one of the beneficiaries. "But it was very clear that Paul's system wasn't going to work for us," he said. "You ran to the spots and that was it. He immediately started to have problems with all of us because we all knew how to play. We weren't guys just willing to just run to a spot and stand there and watch someone else play. We were all used to being involved."
Eventually, it came down to the management calling the hammer down on Westhead and they did so. Riley took over the reins while the Chicago Bulls hired Westhead. However, his time with the side lasted only one season as they finished with a forgettable 28-54 record.
'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' Episode 10 airs Sunday, May 8, on HBO.
