- Linda Zafrani: Are you joking? - Lon Rosen: Oh, what the fuck?
I thought we were supposed to be the cover.
Chick Hearn (on TV): Halftime here as the boys in Forum Blue
close out their exhibition season, racking up
a 28-point lead against the newly minted champs.
Now, don't buy stock just yet, though.
That score can be deceiving. These Celtics have yet
to play a single member of their starting five...
- Hey, Kareem. - What's that, Lon?
-"Sports Illustrated"? - Yeah.
- What the fuck is this, Lon? - I know, I know.
Paul Westhead: How about that score, huh?
These guys struggle with The System all through camp,
but then you get it on the floor...
It is a symphony.
It's an exhibition against their bench.
Paul, we're running the guys ragged.
Why not give our subs a look?
We still need to decide
who fills out that last roster spot.
We did that already. Mikey?
Oh, no, you cutting Rambis?
- Yeah, his numbers are subpar. - He's not a numbers guy.
H-He's effort. That's the kind of shit that wins games.
Ooh! Our issue!
Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Oh, my. Would you look at that?
"What are Norm Nixon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
"Jamaal Wilkes, and Magic Johnson doing in a classroom
with Laker coach Paul Westhead?"
Good fuckin' question.
"Hitting the blackboards."
(Mike Thibault giggles)
- Do you get it? - Is that a joke?
- Player: You're kiddin' me. - Norm Nixon: Okay.
- This is the dumbest shit I ever seen. - Teaching basketball?
It bad enough he got us playing like robots,
running in his damn spot.
Paul: Hit your spot! That's not your spot!
Where's your spot? Not there!
I'll put a spot in that motherfucker eye
- he keep yelling at me. - Hey, maybe put your picture on the floor,
- you'll remember where to go. - (laughs)
But we can't go criticize this man right now.
Say right here he a genius.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson: He don't know shit about basketball.
- In his mind, this shit a science experiment. - Try telling that to Buss.
He paying that man a million dollars.
Norm: We can always send the Great White Hope in there
to talk to him for us. Hey, Kupchak!
- Go do some of that cracker talk. - If I'm the cracker,
then you're the cheese. (clicks tongue)
Mark Landsberger: I don't know why I'm not in this picture.
I've been white on this team longer than you, Mitch.
Landsberger, sit your ass down.
Here, gimme a look of that.
Oh, fuck, Bill! You see this? (laughs)
Yeah. Publicity.
Fuckin' telling the whole fuckin' world
our captain's a fuckin' douchebag.
- Jerry... - Oh, hey! There he is.
- Mr. Matinee Idol. - How's it going, Jerry?
How you doin'? Congratulations.
Yeah, thank you. I thought your office was upstairs.
Jerry, come on. Paul. We just... (sighs)
We just stopped by to pick up the final roster.
- Mikey's got it all figured out. - Good! Who's gettin' the axe, huh?
Probably that long-haired hippie motherfucker, Rambis.
I mean, come on. We should've axed him the first fuckin' week.
Pat Riley: He's a good player.
Can I see that for one second?
Thank you. Excuse me, sorry.
There we go.
Next champions.
Bill Sharman: Ah. Well, we'll start engraving the trophies.
- Sounds good, Bill. - Come on, Jerry. Come on.
This is fuckin' first-rate.
- Bye, Jerry. - Pat: Yeah, see you guys.
Jerry West: Let me look at that. What'd he fuckin' write?
What'd you change?
- Fuckin' the motherfuckin' hippie?! - Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
- Come on! Get outta here. Let's go. Let's go. - Jerry West: This fuckin'--
- God fuckin' damn it! - (throws down roster)
Congratulations, Pat. Why don't you go tell him?
Paul: Second half, let's go. System.
- That means you, Johnson. - (snaps fingers)
- (upbeat chatter) - Did he just snap at me?
Hey. Rambis.
Congrats. You made the team. You're a Laker.
Cool. Far out, man.
Ooh! I've been lookin' for one of those.
Let me see that, Kurt. (laughs)
Oh, damn. Red, you should've told your guy to smile!
I don't pay my guys to smile.
Unlike you and your fakakta lifetime contract.
He runs the committee.
Ah, don't worry.
I can't approve it fast enough. Nothing makes me happier
than watching you piss away your fortune.
You know, you used to be ahead of the curve, Red,
but now, you're about 10 steps behind.
Listen, I'd explain business to you,
but halftime is almost over,
and you got enough to worry about
with your team gettin' whooped!
It's pre-season, Buss. Nobody gives a shit.
No one but you and me!
Wise ass. I'll see ya.
♪ ♪
- Come on, fellas. - Bill Fitch: Don't be fuckin' dumb.
- It's just a preseason game. - Larry Bird: We're down by 28 points, Coach.
Yeah, and we're not gonna come back.
Fuck you gotta drag me out here to La La Land
- if you're just gonna sit me? - Put him in.
- I thought you said-- - Go knock their dicks in the dirt.
- About goddamn time. - Relax yourself.
- We're gonna have some fun. - Bill: Make up your fucking mind, Red.
Dyan! Heaven can wait, but I can't. (laughs)
You're lookin' great.
Looking good, Lou! It's gonna rain?
Guys, look at that. Fantastic, right?
Jack! (laughs) Nice to see ya.
- Love the variety you got going on here. - Right?
Exhibition game, but we got 'em on the run. I'll take it.
A lotta angles, a lotta colors.
♪ ♪
- Gimme that. - The fuck?
Larry: Count 'em.
♪ ♪
Okay, fellas. Who wants a scoop?
- (reporters chattering) - Huh?
How about this for a headline?
"Magic Signs Lifetime Contract with the Lakers."
- (camera shutter snaps) - Reporter: What are the terms?
- Lifetime? What does that mean? - How much? How long?
Red Auerbach: 25 million for 25 years.
(camera shutters snapping)
(reporters exclaiming)
Reporter: Dr. Buss!
Any comment on Magic's new contract?
I told you boys. Just an extension.
But I hear 25 million for 25 years.
Yeah? Where'd you hear that?
Let's say a, a little leprechaun whispered it into my ear.
- League source. - Yeah, well, no comment. (laughs)
(camera shutters snapping)
- What's up, Doc! - Hey, kid!
Think we can rap after the game?
Oh, yeah, yeah. Sure thing. Sure thing.
- Oh, there's Jerry. You can ask him. Go ahead. - Reporters: Dr. Buss!
Jerry Buss: I'll be in the box. I'll come find you.
- Just be a minute. - Jerry Buss: Sure.
- Yeah? Cool. - Absolutely.
(reporters exclaiming)
♪ ♪
- Reporter: You think he's really worth it, Dr. Buss? - Guys, guys, come on!
- Halftime's almost over. - (typewriter clacking, rolls and dings)
♪ ♪
We can talk about it after the game!
Reporter: That makes you the highest-paid athlete in history!
(Red laughing)
We gotta start the game again! Get outta here!
We can talk about it after the game! After the game!
- After the game! - (shutters snapping)
After the game, baby!
(sirens wailing)
("My Favorite Mutiny" by The Coup playing)
♪ ♪
♪ There it is ♪
♪ Yeah, ah, uh ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Okay ♪
♪ Check it out ♪
♪ Death to the pigs is my basic statement ♪
♪ I spit street stories 'til I taste the pavement ♪
♪Tryin' to stay out the pen where we face enslavement ♪
♪ Had a foolproof hustle 'til they traced the payments ♪
♪ I was grippin' my palm around some shitty rum ♪
♪ Tryin' to find psalm number 151 ♪
♪ To forget what I'm owed, as I clutch the commode ♪
♪ I read "Put down the bottle and come get the gun" ♪
♪ Let's get off the chain like Kunta Kinte with a MAC-10 ♪
♪ They want us gone like a dollar in a crack den ♪
♪ Steadily subtractin' seeds and stems ♪
♪ Mind cloudy through the wheeze and phlegm ♪
♪ Numbin' my brain off of that and the Jesus hymns ♪
♪ If we waiting for the time to fight, these is thems ♪
♪ Tellin' us to relax while they ease it in ♪
♪ We gettin greased again ♪
♪ The truth I write is so cold ♪
♪ It'd freeze my pen ♪
♪ I'm Boots Riley it's a pleasure to meet you ♪
♪ Never let they punk ass ever defeat you ♪
♪ They got us on the corner wearin' pleather and see-thru ♪
♪ All y'all's gold mines, they wanna deplete you ♪
♪ I ain't just finna rap on the track, I finna clap on 'em back ♪
♪ And it's been stackin' to that ♪
♪ 500 years before Iceberg ever leaned back in the 'lac ♪
♪ Before they told Rosa "Black in the back" ♪
♪ Before the CIA told Ricky Ross to put crack in a sack ♪
♪ And Gil Scott traded rappin' for smack ♪
♪ This beat alone should get platinum plaques ♪
♪ I'd rather see a million of us ecstatic to scrap ♪
♪ 'Cause if we bappin' 'em back we automatically stack ♪
♪ vocalizing ♪
(turntable scratching)
Lansing hero Earvin "Magic" Johnson--
Reporter: News broke of Magic Johnson's new epic deal--
Earvin Johnson Jr., the showstopper--
The highest-paid athlete in the world.
How did his teammates take the news?
The normally tight-lipped Kareem had this to say.
A basketball team is like a family.
You pick out any one member and say,
"This is my favorite child,"
it's inevitable that others will begin to wonder
whether or not they belong.
(reporters shouting questions)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The only other place
I would consider playing is New York. Alright?
I've always felt like the people there
appreciate quality basketball, and I can provide that.
Fuck 'em.
They don't like it?
Fuck 'em.
Jerry Buss: Kareem should be happy!
More money for Earvin means more for him!
What if he tries to get it from another team?
- He's not gonna do that. - Jerry West: He already fuckin' did!
He ain't talkin' to the press, man!
He's talkin' to the Knicks!
Well, I'll talk to him first.
- When am I sitting down with him at Benihana? - He rescheduled.
- Oh, fuck. Oh... - Hey, he's a busy guy. I'll pin him down.
- Bill: You ain't fuckin'-- - Paul: No!
It has to be me. Okay?
Who--
I'm his coach,
so I will assure him
that he's still the fulcrum of this team.
- I'll handle that, Paul. - Paul: You can't.
You just told him the opposite.
You just told him
and every other player on my team
that Magic is more important.
I think you mean my team.
Paul: Sure.
But I'm the one who has to coach it,
and that's been hard enough as it is.
Look, gentlemen, none of us want a repeat of last year!
Okay, Magic has been a...
(weak laugh)
struggle since the start of camp.
Resisting his role in The System.
At first, I thought, okay,
this guy's not used to structured play. Now, I see.
He thinks it's optional. And you know why?
Because he has a direct line to the king.
(clicks tongue)
You know, Bill, Jerry,
it's getting a little late. Why don't you hit the road?
- Bill: Yeah, yeah, we should get outta here. - Yeah. Yeah, we're gonna...
Bill: Get outta here. Good night, boss.
You asked for Kupchak.
I gave you Kupchak.
You asked for a million dollars.
I gave you that.
Paul, this is a speed bump.
Don't whine to me about it.
Figure it out!
What the fuck else do you need?
Nothing.
But I'd like to be able to handle my players...
without interference.
So, if you can do that for me,
I'll promise you that I'll bring you a-another trophy.
Jerry Buss: Well, Paul, if you don't,
I'm gonna look like a fucking idiot.
And you're gonna be looking for a new job.
Sounds like we're in this together then, huh?
(slams drink down)
No, Paul. I'm the king!
We're not in it together!
(car departing)
(insects chirring)
- Hey. - Hey. Are you okay?
(sighs)
Yeah.
It's just basketball.
It is, you know?
It's just ba--
("Flatfoot Sam" by Slim the Heartbreaker playing)
♪ Flatfoot Sam bought an automobile ♪
♪ No money down, it was a real good deal ♪
Oh, morning.
♪ He didn't wanna wait to ride around town... ♪
Oh, I-I took the last one. Do-- Do you wanna split it?
♪ ...you're always in a jam ♪
♪ Flatfoot Sam... ♪
You want the whole thing?
Oh, come on, Johnny! You have to talk to me eventually!
(sighs) Fuck.
You know, an apology works wonders.
- (sighs) Excuse me? - (Honey laughs)
- Honey Kaplan: He's hurting. - What fucking business is it of yours?
Ooh. Okay. I'm just trying to help.
- Jeanie Buss: Yeah. Well, I don't need your help, okay? - (oven dings)
Well your father does, and I do love him.
- (sighs) Okay, God. - We're not in competition.
Oh, yeah. Okay. That's good to know.
Thank you for that, Honey!
♪ You're always in a jam ♪
- It's just a contract. - Contract?
Fuck you think, we stupid?
You part owner of this damn team now.
Magic: Ain't like that.
He offered, I said yes.
- Same as any of y'all would. - I know I would.
Right on!
Look, this could be a good thing.
Norm: Speak for yourself, man.
You got your money. Boy.
Won't be happy till everything else go your way?
- Go run, tell Daddy. - Man, fuck you.
Ain't enough money in the contract for that, bruh.
- Norm, just calm down, man. - Norm: Nigga, you calm up!
Stop acting like a bitch! All you motherfuckers!
What? We supposed to kiss his ass now
just 'cause he struck gold? Fuck all that!
Y'all put on y'all uniform the same way he do.
Ain't saying no otherwise.
No.
You got the boss man saying it for you.
I'm just doing business. Maybe you could learn something.
- (soft laugh) - I'ma talk to Coach.
Straighten everything out.
Oh. Y'all hear that?
Big money talk to big money.
Y'all just shut up.
Let Richie Rich here take care of all our problems.
Just mad it ain't you.
Yeah, whatever, nigga.
I'm telling y'all! This don't change nothin'!
- (door opens) - Paul: Gentlemen!
- Bring it in. Bring it in. Bring it in. - (clapping, whooping)
- Good. Gather round. - (clapping stops)
(Paul sighs)
As Viktor Frankl said,
"What does not kill me makes me stronger."
This is the start of a new season.
And none of us wants it to end the way last one did.
- Right? - Players: No. No. Mm-mm.
Okay, great.
I wanna make something clear. I have been empowered.
I have been empowered to coach this team.
Player: Mm-hmm.
My way. And that means we run The System.
Every play. Every game. No deviation.
Anyone who has a problem with that is gonna find a home
next to me on the bench.
Anyone.
Okay. Sound fun?
Let's go out there and kick some ass, alright?
- Player: Let's go! - System on three. One, two, three.
- Players: System! Woo! - Paul: Good.
(scattered clapping, chatter)
(upbeat music playing)
Chick: Well, happy Halloween, folks. Welcome to a new season,
and, uh, hey, let's hope the Lakers have banished
all the ghosts of last year.
- Announcer (over PA): Your Los Angeles Lakers! - (crowd cheering)
Chick: Nixon fighting to get open.
- Norm: Ball! - Chick: Magic taking his time
at the top of the key, searching.
Boy, the offense is slow tonight.
-Westhead urging. - Let's go! Earvin!
Chick: Magic finally with a move to the basket,
but he turns it over.
Fast break the other way,
and Malone finishes it over Kareem.
- Time out! Time out. - (whistle blows)
(ball thuds)
Chick: And so much for redemption, folks.
A new year underway
the same way last one ended
with a loss to the Rockets.
(buzzer blaring)
("King's Special" by B.B. King playing)
♪ ♪
(crowd groaning)
Michael Cooper: Alright, let's go, Norm, I'm open!
(crowd groaning)
♪ ♪
(crowd groans)
(Magic panting, grunting)
- What was that? - Earvin!
♪ ♪
(ball thuds)
- It ain't right, Cook. - Cookie Kelly: Have you just talked to him?
- Man-to-man? - I tried!
Told him we'd be best when we just goin'.
Not thinkin' all the time, running no damn spots.
Cookie (on phone): Okay, so what did he say to that?
That's not your spot! Your-- Where's your spot?
Not there! You're nowhere near your spot!
But he ain't out there trying to make this dumb shit work.
How I'm supposed to run the show when I gotta stop,
find him, wait for him to throw some fingers in the air
and then figure out what the hell them fingers mean?
Ain't no choice but to dump to Kareem!
Rest of us just watching him do his thing.
- Which ain't your thing. - Magic (on phone): Hell, no!
Ain't how I got here!
(sighs) I don't pull this team together,
I'm gonna be outta here by next year.
Heck, you might be off to, to New York City, huh?
This franchise disrespected you.
After all that you've given them.
You'd be well within your rights to hold a grudge.
♪ ♪
They have me under contract for another year.
Until it ends...
I'll be a Laker.
♪ ♪
(crowd cheering)
- Kareem: Team, let's go! - Feed Kareem in the post.
(crowd cheering)
♪ ♪
Ain't the Magic man.
I feels the flow.
Who be hot. Who need a shot. Where the mismatch.
I feeds off my teammates, and they feeds off of me!
Okay, so what do they say?
I mean, we scraping and scratching
to make it deal to deal.
And then you get something like this?
I mean, I hate to say it, brother, but...
gonna rub some people the wrong way.
Magic (on phone): Fuck them! Jealous-ass motherfuckers,
just 'cause they ain't got the contract I do!
Blame me for some shit they'd love to have.
Wouldn't any one of 'em say no, Buss brought it to 'em.
- Come on, Earvin! - Pat: Push up! Let's do it!
- (players grunting) - (crowd yelling)
(crowd groans)
Y'all just don't get it, man. I--
Michael: We just don't get it?
Then I guess you the only one that do.
Magic (on phone): Just wanted a home, Cook. Now...
now I'm stuck.
- You could talk to Dr. Buss. - I do that,
- I'm boss man's boy, just how they say I is. - Cookie: Okay.
You can't have the money, the power, and the love, Earvin.
- (crowd cheering) - (Jack chuckles)
Magic (on phone): I, um...
I'm supposed to be gettin' that love from you.
- (Cookie groans) - Magic: Yeah, yeah, I know.
Just figured I'd try and see where we was at.
- How's our boy, Virginia? - Virgil!
Chick: Another monster for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 29 points,
13 boards for the big fella. But he's the only one.
Magic Johnson still looking lost in Westhead's offense.
Gone is the boyish enthusiasm of yesteryear,
replaced by a petulant scowl as his Lakers fall,
-and, boy, do they fall hard. - (whistle blows)
♪ ♪
(bus idling)
- Good game, Cap. - That's not what the final score said.
I'm tellin' you, this System shit ain't working.
You out there killing yourself and we still losing by 26?
It might help me if other people played their roles.
You think I ain't trying?
Out there running the same way,
moving to the same spots.
Ain't how we won the whole damn thing with McKinney, remember?
Of course, I remember.
And I also remember you telling me
that this team could benefit if I just humbled myself.
Yeah. Shrunk the ego a little bit.
Perhaps it's time you took the same advice.
(clicks tongue)
(bus idling)
I thought you quit.
Wish I could.
Okay. Would you take it easy? I'm gonna go talk to him, okay?
(exhales) 'Cause that'll work wonders.
I'm sorry. What?
Nothing.
You just-- You don't talk, Paul. You belittle.
- Oh, my God. This again, Pat? - You see? You're doing it to me, right now.
You're doing it.
(whispers) Listen, man. We're at two and four.
It ain't gettin' better.
It's gettin' worse.
Alright, so you want a compromise from him?
How about you meet the guy halfway?
- Let him improvise a little. Get his rhythm. - No, goddammit, Pat.
- It's not The System. - Let him get a fucking rhythm.
Paul: It's not The System.
I understand that you don't get it,
but if you compromise any aspect of The System,
then The System is compromised.
It requires a total buy-in.
That means you, too!
Look, this ship only has one captain, and that's me!
I understand, yes, Kareem is also called Captain,
but that's a nickname.
You understand what I'm trying to say? I'm the fucking boss.
I am in charge, not Magic fucking Johnson--
(footsteps approach)
Finish.
(scoffs)
Just let him stew. Okay?
(sighs)
- Pat: Good job, Paul. - Shut up, Pat.
Just for a fucking second.
- Cooper! - Michael: Yeah.
Paul: You're right there. Okay.
Go tell Magic that if he's not on this bus in five minutes,
- that he can catch a cab home. - Me?
Paul: Yes, you! Unless you wanna catch one yourself.
- Yes. You. - Michael: Goddammit...
Really?
("How 'Bout Us" by Champaign playing)
♪ Ooh, short and sweet ♪
(inaudible dialogue)
♪ No sense in dragging on past our needs ♪
♪ Let's don't keep it hanging on ♪
♪ ♪
- Earvin! - (music ends)
(insects chirring)
(leaves rustling)
Jerry West: We are two and fuckin' four!
Come on, boss. I mean, I gotta spell this out for you?
Westhead's lost control of the team.
- I mean, the guys don't respect him. - It's been six games.
- That's five fuckin' more than I needed to see! - Bill: Jerry.
Well, I talked to him, and he told me it's a numbers game!
A proven fact, quicker offense means more makes.
It's not fuckin' algebra, man. It's fuckin' ball!
I mean, he's got Magic so mixed up,
he wouldn't get on the goddamn bus in San Antonio!
(Jerry Buss sighs)
You gotta help us out here, Doc.
Okay, now we built this fuckin' team to win.
- Okay? - Alright, I'll talk to him again.
- There's no talking to him. - Jerry West: No!
Just let us shake the tree, see who falls out.
Jerry West: Yeah. Just have a fuckin' little, little rustle around.
Who the fuck is gonna fall out of a tree, Bill? A coach?
- Jerry West: Well, we-- - No! No! We're not changing fucking coaches again
- mid-season! Absolutely not, Bill! - Jerry West: Oh! Oh!
Johnson's a fuckin' winner, okay?
And hell, Westhead, even he got lucky.
But things change!
Don't make good decisions bad ones,
- because your pride got mixed up in it. - (laughs)
My pride?
My pride has got jack shit to do with that.
I'm all in because that's what you do
when you believe you have a winner!
And that's what I've done with this team!
I believe in it! Six games in,
firing the coach is a bad idea, for the record.
Can you imagine if the press even--
The press even hears one fucking word about this,
- and we're toast. - Alright. They won't.
Announcer 1 (on radio): Westhead has no answer.
If I'm Buss, I'd pull the plug.
Announcer 2 (on radio): All I know is they're not playing Laker basketball.
I mean, where's the razzle-dazzle? The pop?
(elevator dings)
("Get A Job" by The Silhouettes playing)
♪ Sha-na-na-na, sha-na-na-na-na ♪
♪ Ba-doo ♪
♪ Sha-na-na-na, sha-na-na-na-na... ♪
Paul: So then I said to him,
"If it must be done, best it be done quickly."
- (laughs) - I swear to God,
with a straight face, he says,
"So throw it to Kareem?"
- (laughing) - Big fucker! Gonna throw it to Kareem!
(laughter stops)
Shit. What happened? Did you--
- get in a car crash? - Pat: No.
Ah, fuck!
Pat: It's this fuckin' stress.
He refuses to listen. He doesn't fucking listen to me.
Won't change or do anything fucking different!
It's nothing. You get a chance to
look at those, uh, adjustments I suggested?
Uh, no. I, uh, I have not.
♪ Get a job, sha-na-na-na... ♪
- I think you're sitting on 'em. - (music stops)
Okay.
Mike?
Sure thing, boss.
- Pat: Mike. - Mike Thibault: Pat.
- (indistinct office chatter) - (phones ringing)
- It's a tweak. - It's a retreat, Pat.
You're gonna get us fired, Paul.
- I have authority from Buss. - You have authority?
Yeah, he gave Jack a four-year deal, pal.
It's words. If we keep losing, we're kaput!
I don't care!
I don't care.
Do you have any idea how many times I've been counted out?
Huh?
I sat the bench in college.
Ramsey only kept me on the team 'cause he needed a, a towel boy.
Jack only hired me here because he needed somebody pliable,
"a dilettante." I know. I know.
I lucked my way to where I'm at.
'Cause West quit.
'Cause Tark's friend got stuffed into a trunk.
'Cause Jack crashed a bicycle.
'Cause I found you. (soft laugh)
And yet, somehow...
somehow...
I won a championship.
So I will be goddamned
if I'm gonna throw that away playing somebody else's game!
If I am going to go down, I will go down my way!
(heavy breaths)
(Pat lights cigarette)
(sighs) You're just not leaving us a way out, Paul.
- If things keep going south-- - You know what Cortez did
when he made landfall in the New World? You know what he did?
He saw the Aztec empire ahead.
All its riches, all its gold, and its army.
A hundred times his own. You know what he did?
- I know we speak English. - He burned the ships.
All of them. His own.
The entire fleet. (imitates flame) Torched it.
So that his men only had one option.
To forge ahead and conquer.
- ("Apache" by The Sugarhill Gang playing) - (crowd cheering)
Chick: Laker fans love to see it.
After a rocky start to the season,
three quick wins for the purple and gold.
Paul: Excuse me! Coach Westhead has arrived!
♪ Ho! Ho! Ho! ♪
♪ ♪
We got a ways to go, but that's the good thing about The System.
You can plug anybody in. He'll pick up on the nuances.
♪ Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it ♪
(mouthing)
♪ ♪
♪ Kemosabe, jump on-- ♪
(silence)
Earvin! There he is!
- Magic: Dr. Buss. - (laughs) I hope you brought your appetite.
We ordered in. Come on.
- I want you to meet Honey. - Yeah, um...
- Can we talk for a minute? - Yeah.
Been sittin' on this thing for a while now.
Oh, is this about the contract details getting out?
That wasn't me. And there's gonna be hell to pay,
- so don't sweat it, though. Don't sweat it. - Nah, nah, nah. Ain't that.
It's the way we been playing.
Ah.
Well, that's not really my bailiwick, you know?
- (laughs) - But you got eyes.
- You can see that it ain't been goin' right, right? - Well, yeah, tough start.
But, you know, these things take time, so...
Coach telling us exactly where to go
like we don't know. He the one don't know!
He ain't never played the game.
That's why we dropping games that we should be winning,
squeaking by teams that we should be blowing out!
It ain't showtime no more.
So have you talked to Coach about this?
- I tried! - And?
He wanna do it his way.
I see. Well... (sighs)
- (awkward laugh) - Look, Dr. Buss,
I ain't trying to tell nobody how to do their job
but you paying me a lot of money,
- and we been trying to make this thing like-- - I, uh, yeah.
Earvin. Earvin.
You know I want you to be happy, right?
Do you trust me?
Of course. That's why I'm here.
Because, you know, we, we partners.
Yeah. That's exactly what we are.
In the grand scheme of things.
But, Earvin, Paul's a partner, too.
Look, I pay you a lot of money to play.
I pay him a lot to coach, and I don't tell
either one of you how to do what you do.
Well, Dr. Buss, I ain't trying to tell you what to do,
- or him what to do. I ain't trying to be a coach. - I think--
- I just wanna play-- - Look.
I think the smart thing to do right now,
is just let this ride out a little bit.
And let's just ride this thing out for a second, alright?
We'll reevaluate in a couple months.
- But you and I'll keep talking. - (intercom buzzing)
W-We'll keep comparing notes.
I wanna hear what you have to say about it at all times.
- Setsuo! - Setsuo (on speaker): Your guests are here.
Jerry Buss: Grab 'em some champagne, will you?
And in the meantime, I told you we ordered in.
Some of Honey's friends are in town,
and they happen to be Raiderettes. (laughs)
- Ladies! - Raiderette: Hey.
Welcome to Pickfair! (laughs)
("A Blue Mood" by Allen Toussaint playing)
(inaudible dialogue)
(birds chirping)
Jerry Buss: Jean-bean?
I got big news, kiddo.
- Oh, yeah? - Me and Honey are gonna tie the knot,
and I need you to help me pick out the most beautiful ring.
- So, sweetie, let's go shopping. - Well...
Wait...
(laughs) I'm sorry. So, y-you're really gonna...
You're really gonna do it?
Huh? Yeah, of course.
(laughs) Fuck, Dad.
Jeanie, you know I'm doing this for the family, too.
Making it real. We're growing.
You know, it's another one in the nest.
Hey. Wh-What...
What's going on with you?
- I just want you to be happy. - Okay.
So I come down to give my little girl a kiss
- and this is how you're gonna be. - What?
- Alright. Forget it.
(laughs) Forget it.
Listen, the next time, why don't you hold up a sign
so I know you woke up on the wrong side of the bed
'cause I don't need this crap, Jeanie.
♪ ♪
- Hey, Coach. - Paul: Good to see ya.
- (snaps fingers) - Hey!
Come see us at The Forum!
Jack!
- Coach. - (Paul sighs)
- Good to see you. - You, too.
You look great. Really.
Oh, no. You found my fancy mug shot.
(Jack laughs)
Hey, could somebody bring me a pen
so I can sign this for Jack's kids?
Just joking.
- Some place, though, huh? - I see why you like it.
So, what's good here? Onion strings?
Uh, burgers, ribs. Everything is fantastic.
Jack McKinney: Well, you're buying.
- Million Dollar Man. - (cutlery clinking)
Hey. I learned from the best.
You didn't learn that song and dance from me.
Paul: The System's just doing what it's meant to.
- If you-- - Not that crap.
You. I'm proud of you.
You're doing what I never could.
The Hollywood thing? You fit right in.
All I ever thought about was basketball.
Look where that got me.
- Coach of the Year, right? - Miss Congeniality.
But, hey, this cockamamie scheme of yours.
A few more articles like this, it could be you.
Except you got me on your schedule.
It's the matchup I've had circled, Jack.
You and me both. Let me tell you what I'm gonna do.
You got a flair for the dramatic,
so I think you'll appreciate this.
I'm gonna expose you.
Not all at once. Halfway tonight,
and the rest the second time I see you back in Indiana.
(patrons chattering)
Well, I think I'm gonna get the shoestring potatoes
and the chicken wings.
Hot wings we call roosters. You want some chicken wings?
Wanna split some chicken wings with me?
- (indistinct chatter) - (car horns honking)
(camera shutter snaps)
(locker room chatter)
Hang back with me. Hang back with me a second.
(Magic scoffs)
- Magic: What's up, Riles? - (shuts door)
You tell me.
- (slaps thighs) - (claps hands)
Hm? What's it gonna take?
To get you to buy in.
Man (scoffs), I'm bringin' it every night.
That's bullshit.
I see everybody else bringing it.
I see you out there, just going through the motions.
Got your lip poked out
like some kid picked last on the playground.
Running to my spot.
Yeah.
What else you want?
What do I want? I want you to be the star
that they're paying you to be.
- A star? - Uh-huh.
How I'm supposed to be a star
when you won't let me do what made me a star?
Larry Bird a star. Iceman a Star.
- Pat: Mm-hmm. - Dr. J!
Ain't nobody telling them to run to no fucking spots!
- They lettin' them be them! - Yeah, it's frustrating.
- Yeah! - For all of us!
You don't think they got their shit to deal with?
Huh, big man?
You think you're the only one?
- Leave-- - Hey, it can't be your way or the highway.
Just leave me the fuck alone.
- Listen to me. - Get--
I'm trying to get through to you, man!
You're a basketball savant,
but until you put your fuckin' heart into this thing,
you have no idea if this is gonna work.
- (muffled crowd chatter) - (door banging)
- (crowd chattering) - (indistinct PA announcement)
(inaudible dialogue)
(mellow jazz music playing)
Paul?
- (snapping) - Paul. We all set with...
- Yeah. That looks great. Thank you. Thanks, Mike. - Alright.
Jack: Good to see you.
You guys are playing some good ball.
Thank you. Thank you.
- Somehow. Ah! Hey! How are you? - Coach. Hey!
Kurt Rambis: Coach?
Am I getting minutes tonight?
- What? - I haven't touched the court.
- I know, Kurt. We'll see. - Am I gonna play this season?
Go get a rebound, please.
- (laughter) - How's the wife?
(indistinct chatter)
- Good to see you. Alright, Cap. - See ya, Coach.
♪ ♪
- (indistinct) - I am, are you?
Yep.
The birds and the bees, man!
♪ ♪
(inaudible dialogue)
(jazz music fades)
Chick: And here we go. Second overtime, four seconds to go,
and this one has been tooth and nail, Keith.
His underdogs refusing to die as Coach McKinney
uses his old protege's quick-shot system against him,
putting up the Pacers' best offensive night of the season.
And now, he has the ball and a chance to win.
- Westhead is out of timeouts. - Keith Erickson: And here we go.
- Chick: Alright. Davis to inbound. - (whistle blows)
Chick: Searching... Where's it gonna go?
Magic, double team! He's going to Herb!
- Pat: Stay on him. - I'm open! I'm open!
Chick: Davis with the fake, and Magic fights.
Owens left wide open on the way.
Oh, shit!
Chick: Lakers scrambling.
- Go down! Stay down! - Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
- Chick: Owens with the lob for the win. - (buzzer blares)
Chick: No good! Off Williams' fingertips
and these Lakers just barely manage to survive this one.
And I'll tell you, Paul Westhead is gonna need the jaws of life
to unclench himself tonight,
but, well, a win's a win, folks, and that is four in a row.
(crowd cheering)
(players chattering)
Good instinct. Fuck 'em.
(cheering continues)
- (cheering continues) - Alright, guys. Good game.
("Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway playing)
Yes!
♪ ♪
(crowd cheering)
McKinney's still the reigning coach of the year,
but the way you guys been grooving,
you think this next one could be you?
Magic! Nice win.
I guess you're finally getting the hang
- of the new offense, huh? - Yeah, I guess so.
♪ ♪
♪ Love sensation ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Love sensation ♪
♪ Oh, sensation ♪
♪ Love sensation ♪
♪ You got me burnin' up with your love sensation ♪
- (cheering) - Hi!
Now, we're talking!
- What did I tell you? - Oh, yeah, yeah. You told me.
- You sure did. - Jerry Buss: You heard it here first!
- Never fold a winner! - Yeah. I'm glad we held off.
Yeah, well, patience is a virtue, huh?
Go on and get yourself a drink on me.
I wanna see you cut the rug! I wanna see that victory dance!
- Alright, boss. - Smile, Bill! We won! (laughs)
Huh? Oh, don't fuckin' tell me he thought that was a win.
It was. Can't argue with the scoreboard.
Sure we fuckin' can, Bill! That's what we fuckin' do!
Bill: Yeah, well, knock yourself out. I need a drink.
♪ Love sensation ♪
Honey: I prefer it when the emperor has no clothes.
- Well, that can be arranged. - (Honey giggles)
♪ Love sensation ♪
- Proud of you. - What do you wanna do?
Wanna blow this joint and get naked?
♪ ♪
♪ Sweet sensation ♪
♪ I can't find the words to explain ♪
♪ You're such a hot temptation ♪
♪ You just walk right in and take me away ♪
♪ And all I wanna say is ♪
- Don't leave me hanging, Buss. - Let's see what you got.
♪ Can't you see that I love nobody else? ♪
♪ I love nobody else ♪
♪ Can't you see that I love nobody else? ♪
♪ I love nobody ♪
♪ And time won't take my... ♪
♪ Love... ♪
♪ Away... ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Oh ho! Time won't ♪
Jerry Buss: Alright, so help me pick out a good one.
Make your father an honest man.
- (Jeanie sighs) - What do you think?
Well, I don't wanna say. You say.
Anything jumping out at you? Oh, yeah. That one.
Oh, yeah. I like the gold. It's like Lakers gold on there.
How many carats is that?
- (birds chirping) - (dogs barking)
Reporter (on TV): Third win in a row for the streaking Lakers.
Quick shots, effective rebounding,
and a notch in the win column.
And they're still paying Magic all them millions,
but they shouldn't be.
No sign of any fancy passing.
No more show. Might as well be
any other bitch-ass point guard in the league.
(ambient traffic noise)
(crowd cheering)
- (Magic panting) - Watch the pick!
(echoing thuds)
(crowd gasping)
(shoes squeak)
(ball thuds)
(crowd cheering)
Damn it! Time out! Time out!
(whistle blows)
- Hey. You alright? You alright? - Magic: I'm good.
Paul: Shit!
Earvin! Earvin! What the hell is that?
It's the same goddamn play he beat you on last season.
- That's his man! What are you talking about? - Do not blame him!
- You stick with your own man! - Tell him that!
Do not blame him! Stick with your own man!
Mitch! Good job. Fine work out there.
- He's doing a great job. - Great job, Mitch?
Where are you going?
- Where the hell do you think you're-- - Draw up the play, Paul.
- Come on. - Okay.
(camera whirring)
Announcer (on TV): Time out to discuss the miscommunication on defense
between Magic and Kupchak. Lakers lead--
(crowd cheering)
Huddle up! Huddle up.
- Earvin, would you get in here? - Man, I am here!
Announcer (on TV): Back from break at the Salt Palace,
and things have escalated.
Magic Johnson refusing to join his team.
Get your ass into this huddle.
I am here!
Magic! Nice disappearing act!
- Disappear this! - Heckler: You're a bum!
- And you live in Utah! - Paul, come on.
Earvin! Would you leave those people alone
and get your ass over here?
Man, I said I'm listening.
To hell you are.
Earvin, get your ass into my huddle,
or take your ass back to the locker room.
(crowd jeering)
- Pat: Paul, come on. - Can you not touch me, please?
Michael: Come on, Buck.
Announcer (on TV): We can't repeat what we just heard courtside,
just say the fans aren't giving--
Paul: You're gonna walk away when your team needs you?
Get back here now!
(echoing) Earvin, get back here!
Lansing hero--
Paul: Get back here!
- (crowd jeering) - (shutter snaps)
Paul: Okay.
A basketball team is like a family.
(shutters snapping)
(indistinct jeering, laughter)
- Oh, my, folks, the most... - ...little bitch...
(crowd jeering)
(reporters shouting)
Red: 25 million for 25--
(buzzer blaring)
Chick: And the Lakers dodge another bullet, Keith,
pulling out a road win by a paltry single possession.
And I'll tell you, my friend, this one was not pretty.
The System's unstoppable.
Come on. Look at us.
- I have to go take care of this right now. - Paul.
(tense music playing)
- Paul! - What, Pat?!
(crowd jeering)
(scoffs) Nothing.
Nothing.
Good.
(jeering continues)
♪ ♪
Paul: Earvin!
Earvin! Earvin, I'd like to talk--
- Get the fuck off me! Fuck off! - In here. In here, please.
Reporter: Coach, are you losing control of the team?
- (reporters shouting) - Paul: I'm sorry, I can't--
(fluorescent lights buzzing)
Do not ever do that to me again.
You humiliated yourself out there.
You disrespected me.
You disrespected your teammates. I will not have it.
That's it?
I'm tired of your crap.
I am sick and tired of your horseshit attitude.
And if it happens again,
you will be sitting on the fucking bench!
Next to me!
Might as well.
Excuse me?
You ain't using me right no how. Might as well sit me down.
If you sit, it will be my choice.
If you play, it will be my choice.
Not yours.
Do you understand?
You done?
Sure.
(muffled shouting)
(panting)
(sighs)
(quiet murmuring)
- (door opens) - (reporters shouting)
Paul, what happened with Magic?
We had a-- We had a productive conversation.
- What about? - Paul: That's not...
It's not for public consumption.
You two seemed very steamed out there. Is, is everything okay?
(quiet wheeze)
The almond tree bears its fruit in silence.
- Reporter 1: What did he say? - Reporter 2: Don't know.
Wh-Who are you quoting?
Me. That's a-- That's a Paul Westhead original.
(reporters shouting)
I feel like we're going around in circles here, gentlemen,
so that's my time.
- We're going around in circles here, gentlemen! - (shouting)
(quiet chatter)
(Norm hums)
(melancholy saxophone playing)
(quiet chatter continues)
Hey, guys, we got, like, one or two press incoming.
It wasn't pretty, but was another notch in the win column.
- Can you tell us what happened? - How'd it go with Westhead?
A-Are you and Coach finally seeing eye-to-eye?
Do you have a comment, Magic?
Something?
Something the matter?
Reporter: Any comment?
(camera shutters snapping)
(microphone feedback)
Ain't nothing towards the fellas. Um...
I love-- I love my teammates.
I love everybody, but I ain't happy.
I, um...
I'm showing up,
playing hard as I can.
But I ain't having no fun.
(shutters snapping)
I gotta go. I-I...
gonna go in the morning,
talk to the man, the Buss, see what he can do.
- What's that mean, Magic? - About what?
Yeah, what would you say to him?
(shutters snapping)
I wanna be traded.
(reporters exclaiming)
(reporters fade)
(mellow jazz music playing)
(music fades)