On Dec. 21, 1891, James Naismith introduced his new revolutionary invention, the game of basketball. For over a century, basketball has been a way of bringing people together no matter their differences. It never mattered your race or age, only if you could put a round orange sphere into a 24-inch-wide circle. 

Then, on June 6, 1946, the National Basketball Association was founded. Since the beginning of the NBA, there have always been powerhouses, certain teams who would dominate for decades no matter the adversity that hit them. On Mar. 6, HBO released “Winning Time,” telling the story of the most dominant team in basketball history, the Los Angeles Lakers. 

 The show begins by telling the story of how the dynasty started, introducing new owner Jerry Buss, who is played by actor John C. Reilly. Reilly has a passion for the game, which is why he is able to understand his character, and he does a phenomenal job portraying the playboy self-made millionaire. For new fans of the game who were not alive to watch the juggernaut out of Los Angeles, the cast of Reilly helps them understand why the team was so successful and how the atmosphere and people at the top have a major impact on a championship team. For the fans who were alive to watch the Showtime Lakers, known as oldheads to the basketball community, the cast of Reilly brings back a nostalgic feel for the viewers, letting them relive the time when “basketball was played how it should be” as oldheads would say. 

Another aspect of the show that is impeccable is the story of how it all started. The directors did a great job of introducing the star players and characters and grasping how the players felt in the true moment. The atmosphere set in the show brought back a feeling of how the team was on and off the court. The show feels like more than just a rise of a dynasty, as it introduces the idea that the Showtime Lakers brought a new life to the city of Los Angeles and the development of the city.