-(phone ringing) -Receptionist: Doctor's office.
Yes, let me transfer you... One moment, please.
(video game beeping)
Brooke Shields (on TV): ...American life at this point where,
if they're intelligent, if they're fairly strong
and rather sure of themselves, they represent a threat...
-He still in there? -Nurse: Room 12.
There's a photographer in front.
They want to let him out the back.
Just to make sure nobody sees him.
-Okay. -Okay. Thanks.
(muffled chatter)
(uneasy music)
-(inaudible) -(footsteps approaching)
Man: Earvin?
Um... when you're ready?
Right.
Right on.
♪ ♪
(inaudible)
(starts engine)
(man crying)
♪ ♪
(muffled crying)
(sirens wailing)
("My Favorite Mutiny" by The Coup playing
♪ ♪
♪ There it is ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Check it out ♪
♪ Move, if you got the nerve ♪
♪ Lash out for your just desserts ♪
♪ It's not just the worth ♪
♪ Some of y'all heads up in the clouds ♪
♪ I'ma bring y'all back to earth ♪
♪ It's Black back to burn ♪
♪ Bullshit y'all talkin' 'bout ♪
♪ Out ya mouth ♪
♪ I'm not concerned ♪
♪ 'Cause y'all got to learn ♪
♪ It's y'all turn like Detroit Red ♪
♪ When his head had a Ultra Perm ♪
♪ The long walk'll burn your bare heels ♪
♪ So throw on your boots ♪
♪ The game camouflaged like army suits ♪
♪ But I can see it more clear ♪
♪ 'Cause I came with The Coup in here ♪
♪ Ring the alarm and form the troops ♪
♪ Send 'em out into the world Go to war in a fluke ♪
♪ Eye to eye with the enemy you sworn to shoot ♪
♪ Now comin' at ya neck sick o' hearin' ♪
♪ Something wrong with me ♪
♪ Motherfucker somethin' wrong with you ♪
♪ When the chief just way too smart to question ♪
♪ The enemy the brothers of a dark complexion ♪
♪ The governments of the world is shark infested ♪
♪ They heavy on weaponry like Charlton Heston ♪
♪ Man, yeah, it gets low here ♪
♪ Real low Know what I'm talkin' 'bout? ♪
(vocalizing)
♪ Yeah, yo, it gets low... ♪
♪ ♪
-(static) -(siren wailing)
(TV clicks off)
God damn. Basketball.
I mean, look at it.
It's like great sex.
It's always moving.
It's rhythmic. It's...
up close and personal.
There's no pads or helmets for protection.
It's just you
and these other guys out there,
trying to get the ball into the hoop.
It's a beautiful thing,
and every single one of those guys plays that game
with their own unique pizazz and style.
It's sexy. Come on.
I mean, if there's two things in this world
that make me believe in God,
it's sex and basketball.
You know?
Hon?
-Honey? -(groans) I'm sleeping.
I know. I was just saying about sex and basketball and...
Yeah, I have a test in the morning.
-You do? -Mm-hmm.
Her loss.
That makes you the first to know.
I'm about to buy a team.
(funky music)
Dynamite.
The National Basketball Association.
The NBA.
You've heard of it, right?
Of course, you have. Who hasn't?
I'll tell you who. Them.
(soft moaning)
Young people, hip people,
fashionable people.
Pardon the expression,
but the kind of people you might wanna have
a little fun with.
Oh hey, Dr. Buss. No breakfast this morning?
Nah, not today.
-I'm going to buy the Lakers. -Ah, no kiddin'?
Tell 'em a win the championship one of these days.
-I'll do what I can, Fred. -Fred: You got it, brother.
Welcome to sunny Los Angeles.
Great for tans...
shit for fans.
(starts engine)
The fact that Fred there even knew
someone who won a championship makes him special.
♪ ♪
So why is the NBA so unpopular!?
Yeah, the press says we have an image problem.
But to most people,
the biggest problem is the image is too dark.
-Let's go get 'em. -Come on, let's do this.
But I didn't make a fortune bettin' on the sure thing.
I made it buyin' low
and sellin' high.
♪ ♪
So, Buss came up to 67.5 million.
But he's hoping you'll agree to half of it in property
instead of cash.
-Is that the Chrysler building? -Yeah.
The guy picks buildings like a toddler at a toy store.
-Whatever's shiniest. -Just get it done,
so I can give the cunt her fucking money.
Oh, I'm not the cunt he's talking about.
That's his soon-to-be ex-wife.
-Attendance numbers? -Down a little.
-Oh shit. -We have to disclose that.
No, I don't have to disclose these if I've never seen them.
Mrs. Rothman.
(quietly): Undo a couple of buttons, maybe he won't notice.
Come on, get in there.
Come on! Jerry, just take the night.
Alright? We'll come back tomorrow, you know?
J-just think this through.
We are trading in an empire of-of real estate for what?
-I know. -Twelve tall guys in tennis shoes?
Frank Mariani, my business partner
and personal wet blanket.
He thinks this whole thing is a bad idea.
-Wait, wait, wait-- bad? -(ding)
-(laughing) -Try catastrophic.
The entire league is on the verge of bankruptcy.
There may not be an NBA in five years.
-5:00 already? -He's wearing Levi's.
-Who? -Buss. He's worth, like, 80 million,
and he's wearing jeans with frayed hems.
-What are you doing? -I'm trying to keep my job.
Put them away. I'll go.
-Are you sure? -Yes.
(cart rattling)
(sighs) What?
(rattling)
Hello, gentlemen.
Oh jeez, I'll take a G&T, hon.
Get it yourself, Frank.
-Claire Rothman? -Pleasure.
Frank, you are lookin' at the gal who was the first one
to put a rock-and-roll act in a sports arena.
Wow. (laughs) Yeah.
I'm a fan. Pleasure.
Mrs. Rothman's deal is with me.
Maybe I can throw her in.
(laughs) Jack!
Jack Cooke: Mr. Buss.
It's actually Dr. Buss, but who's measuring?
So, we got a deal?
One concern. Liquidity.
You're asking to put up half the total price in land swaps,
but you'll still owe the rest in cash.
We'll have it.
We don't have it.
Shut up, Frank.
-We have a deal. -Jerry Buss: Fantastic.
We don't have it, by the way, but we'll get it. We'll get it.
♪ ♪
So for those of you keepin' score at home,
I just promised to pay $67.5 million
for the whole shebang.
So you take half of that in real estate,
you subtract the $18 million
I already gave them as a down payment...
and you're left with $15.75 million
due in cash, in 30 days.
Now, I'm a guy with some bucks, but it's in assets and holdings.
So, right now, I've got about...
120 grand in the bank.
So, yeah.
I gotta move some things around.
♪ ♪
I hate him.
Uh, no, I hate him!
Jeanie Buss: You signed the deal?
Jerry Buss: I still gotta shuffle some cash around,
but, yeah. We're pretty much there.
Dad, I want to work for you.
Jerry Buss: Jeanie, come on.
What?
I'm having a hard time imagining Jerry West
and Bill Sharman taking orders from Miss Palisades.
-Which I'm very proud of. -Just tell them to take it from Miss Buss.
And I'm not asking to...
give orders.
I'm asking to work.
I'm gonna tell your mother, "She's leaving school
-to work for me." -Just give me a chance!
Alright, let's have an interview. So...
summer draft.
-You know what the summer draft is. -Yes!
-I hope so. So... -(laughs)
(laughs) Right. So, if the Lakers win the coin toss,
-you'll get top pick. -Right, so who do I pick?
It's easy. Two best guys just played each other for the college title.
-(crowd cheering) -Dick Enberg: Oh my, folks. The most awaited
match-up in college basketball history.
Two teams, led by two men.
From Indiana State, Larry Bird,
the hard-working,
disciplined,
all-American boy.
♪ ♪
Versus Earvin Johnson Jr.,
the show-stopping,
naturally gifted
physical specimen
out of Michigan State.
From those two guys, who do I choose?
Trick question. Bird's already going to the Boston Celtics.
You're right, and I'm glad they took him.
All those owners that were watching that game,
they were blinded by the white.
I don't care who you are,
if you're Black, white, or polka dot.
If you're a human being with two eyes and a heart,
that kid makes you feel good.
That's why they call him--
Christine Johnson: Do not use that nickname in this house.
But Mama! (laughs)
It's right here in black and white!
I don't care if it's written in rainbow.
His name is Earvin, and in this house, that's what we call him.
That's right! You heard the woman! Show some respect!
(laughing)
Mama could scare Jesus off the cross.
(scoffs)
She a Seventh Day Adventist, so she say magic the devil's work.
(groovy music playing)
Devil can't hoop like me though.
Christine Johnson: Don't blaspheme, Junior.
Yes, Mama. (laughs)
Hey, Junior! Huh!
Junior, tell your mama not to burn the chicken this time.
That's between y'all, Aunt Ethel.
-Where's Pop? -You know the city wouldn't let him off his double.
That's the third double this week.
You know Pop. Takes the doubles when he can get 'em.
Man will work himself to death.
-Guess I get Pop's chair. -Quincy: Yeah.
(chatter, laughter)
Come on in, Mama! Be any minute!
Hey, Earvin, I want you to go to Chicago.
Yeah, but, you know, I'm tryin' to be a sunny Californian,
-you know what I'm sayin'? -Ooh-ho-ho!
(street noise, honking)
David Stern: Larry, the, uh, press are here for the coin flip.
-Hey, Larry. -Sit down, fellas.
If you ask me, the real number one
already went to Boston,
that fair-haired boy from Indiana.
He's a real hard worker.
-They're on. -Chicago?
-(breaking up): Can you hear me? -What?
Larry O'Brien (clear): Chicago, can you hear me now?
-Yeah, yeah. This is Chicago. We got you.
-O'Brien: Los Angeles, you hear me alright? -Cooke: Fine.
Alright. We got a coin?
Oh, uh...
No. Gentlemen, a quarter, anyone?
-O'Brien: Somebody got a coin? -A fuckin' coin?
Can you believe this shit?
I'll find one. Excuse me.
-O'Brien: We're... for a-- -Rod Thorn: I'm sorry.
Can, can you repeat that?
O'Brien: We're waiting for a coin! One second!
-Thorn: You can use any coin you want. -O'Brien: Hang on!
Man: Want me to ask outside?
Found one. I think I got the gum off.
We got a coin here!
Chicago, coin toss, heads or tails?
Heads. Let's go heads.
Los Angeles, you good with that?
That's fine!
Alright. Come on, Lady Luck.
-You want a side bet, Frank? -No, thank you. This is nerve-wracking.
-(laughter) -Alright, here we go!
(ding)
♪ If you ever ♪
(blues guitar playing)
♪ Change your mind ♪
♪ Oh, about leaving ♪
♪ About leaving me behind ♪
♪ Hey, my baby, won't you... ♪
♪ Bring it on home ♪
♪ Bring your sweet loving... ♪
♪ Bring it on home to me ♪
(guitar riff continues)
(phone ringing)
(funky music playing on radio)
♪ Pure excitement, 102.3 ♪
Reporter (on radio): School board election results for Lansing
show Michael Olfactor defeating Gabe Jesper
by 180 votes,
and Harriet Washington winning easily.
And now, let's go to Peter Froman
for tonight's big story in sports.
Peter Froman: Top story tonight,
the coin flip for the first pick
of the NBA draft between the Los Angeles Lakers
and the Chicago Bulls.
At stake,
local phenom Earvin Magic Johnson.
And the winner out of Manhattan,
the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers will get the first pick of the draft,
which will likely be the-all star,
all-American point guard out of Michigan State.
Johnson led the Spartans to an NCAA Championship last year
against Larry Bird in Indiana State.
Seems his--
(lively music, chatter)
Do they even have churches in Los Angeles?
Earvin Johnson: Sure they do, Mama! Biggest in the world!
With some fine chicks filling up them pews!
(man laughs)
I tried with this one. He's in your hands now.
(funky music)
I just don't see why we can't keep a good thing going,
no matter where I live.
-Just take more work is all. -For who?
I know what you're thinkin'.
You think I'm gonna get out there with all that sun
and money and whatever.
You think it's gonna change me.
I didn't say change, Earvin.
-I know you. -You know?
You love me.
That's why what we've been doin' has to stop.
Let me get this right.
You gonna roll out...
on one of the top NBA draft picks...
who's about to be a millionaire...
who just adores you...
for what?
For here?
Hey...
That ain't the Cookie I know.
Good luck out there, Earvin.
I'll be rootin' for you.
For real?
You-- You're really gonna walk away?
Just know I ain't gonna be alone!
'Cause everybody want some of Magic!
Jerry West: We don't fuckin' want him.
-Pardon his French. -Oh, pardon my ass, Bill!
I already got a point guard.
-I got Norm Nixon. -Yeah, but you hate Nixon.
So, draft me someone I don't hate for change.
He's a generational talent, Jerry.
I mean, hell, he's the most exciting guard
to play the game, hell, since you!
-Says fuckin' who? -Bill Sharman: Who? Me! Everybody!
Fuckin' have them coach, okay?
-Hey, Jerry! -I fuckin' quit!
Done! I'm fuckin' done! I can't even play a game
of fucking golf without you bringing up shit.
He does this all the time.
Jerry West, head coach of the Lakers.
-Basketball legend. -(ding)
-Oh, bullshit... -Considered a true gentlemen of the sport,
to everyone who does not know him.
(overlapping shouting)
In his playing years,
he led the team to the finals against the Celtics
six years in a row.
♪ ♪
Six losses.
Announcer 1: Elgin tosses the ball to West.
Look at him shoot!
Thirty points now for Jerry West.
Announcer 2: The building is on their feet and screaming!
They all want Red to light up that cigar.
Announcer 3: Jerry West, who is playing the game of his life out here.
Announcer 4: The Boston Celtics have done it again.
Another jewel in that crown.
Announcer 5: ...series comes down to...
Announcer 6: Jerry West tried to carry his team
and nearly did just that!
...hell of a series, hell of a team!
♪ In the night ♪
Announcer 7: ...victory by Boston,
to the man most valuable during the entire seven games.
Jerry Buss: The last time he played so great, they made him MVP.
Still lost, though.
(angry muttering)
♪ I memorized... ♪
When he retired,
they made his silhouette
the logo of the league.
West: You think that made me fuckin' happy?!
Well, it didn't!
Let me go talk to him.
...just having a conversation.
You want a conversation about this?
-If you want, Jerry. -Well, hell, come on over.
You're about to own this shit streak of a fuckin' team.
Do you really wanna know what's wrong with Johnson?
Lay it on me.
One thing.
He's too tall.
Huh.
Sorry, and that's not a positive?
Well, for a five-man, sure,
but not for a fuckin' ball handler.
His ball's gotta travel twice as fuckin' far
-to reach his fingers. -Right.
-He's a walking turnover. -Yeah, but he's a hell of a passer!
He's a showboat!
He's too flashy to play second fiddle to Kareem!
And that's reason number fuckin' two!
Hold on now. Is there a third reason?
(quietly): He smiles too much.
Yeah, this is a man's game, and he's soft.
(laughs)
Looks awful nice on a billboard though, Jerry.
Your cocksuckin' motherfuckin' butt-fuckin' billboards
-don't play the game of fuckin' basketball! -Whoa!
-Jerry! Jerry! -Fucking busted my shaft, Pedro.
-Pedro: On it, Jer. -Pro shop has him on a tab.
-He'll come around. -Jerry Buss: He's got a real nice disposition.
-West: Fuckin' done... -Hey, I'm with you, Jerry!
Go get yourself a Bloody Mary! I'll see you up there!
He'll come around,
but if you're serious about Johnson,
Jerry's not the guy we gotta be worried about.
-What then, the big fella? -Nah. The little one.
(deejay speaking on radio)
Tune in noon to 3:00 on KCYE...
Norm Nixon. Floor general,
and All-Star point guard of the Los Angeles Lakers.
(ding)
(laughs) A-da-da-da-da!
Easy on the clear coat, baby. Shit.
Word on the street is y'all drafted Magic Johnson.
Mm. I'd sure like to have me some of that.
-Mm-hmm. -Ain't he a point guard, too, Norman?
(sighs) Look.
It's just a meetin'. He ain't drafted yet. Calm down.
Oh no, that ain't what I heard.
Everybody in D-Town saying it's a done deal.
Got to be an advantage being a guard as tall as he is.
Yeah...
When you first came in here, we thought you was the mailman.
(laughter)
-Gave you a stamp and everything! -(mocking laughter)
-Kiss my Black ass, Sharice. -Oh!
Listen, y'all don't know shit about the game of basketball, Athena.
Look, they can draft him if they want to.
I'll just run him off the floor.
Aw. Don't worry, Norman. If you lose your minutes,
maybe Magic can pull your little ass out of a hat.
(laughter)
Athena: I'm surprised Kareem--
Hey! It's my motherfuckin' team, goddammit!
Sharice: Ooh... Okay.
It's my fuckin' team!
(customers laughter)
(clack)
Assistant Director: Alright, we're set, boss.
Director: And action.
Wait a minute, I know you.
You're Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
You play center for the Los Angeles Lakers.
I'm sorry, son,
but you must have me confused with someone else.
My name is Roger Murdock.
I'm the copilot.
You are Kareem.
I've seen you play. My dad's got season tickets.
I think you're the greatest, but my dad says
you don't work hard enough on defense.
And you don't really try except during playoffs.
(stilted): The hell I don't!
Listen, kid, I've been hearing that crap
ever since I was at UCLA.
I'm out here busting my buns every night.
You tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier
up and down the court for 48 minutes.
Director: Cut!
(overlapping chatter)
Why not-- was OJ not available?
So, how was I?
You were great, babe. Really killer.
I'm trying to do what you told me to.
Trying to project my inner warmth.
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar?
You really are my favorite player.
Do you think maybe we could take a picture?
Fuck off, kid.
(muttering): It's my motherfuckin' team.
Everybody talkin' about "Magic, Magic."
Why is this nigga so magical?
Cap! Ca--
-Cap! -(loud jazz playing)
This is your team, Cap!
Your team! Five-time NBA.
(fading out): Five-time...
(inaudible)
(jazz continues)
(muffled): Fuck no!
(muffled)
-I-I'm just saying-- -You know what I'm about to tell you,
-don't you, Norman? -(jazz on headphones)
Fuck off?
-Please. -But, cap, I'm just t--
(music continues)
(quietly): Okay. Alright. You look great, Cheryl.
Cheryl: Thank you, Norman.
-(drumming) -Nice drums.
♪ ♪
(gentle music playing)
♪ ♪
(car door shuts)
(laughs)
(car door shuts)
-Young man, welcome to the Forum. -Thank you, thank you.
Cooke: This is my associate, Dr. Buss.
-Jerry. -Johnson: Jerry.
Jerry Buss. You the one buyin' the team.
-right? -Yes, I am.
Sir.
-Pleasure to meet you. -Jerry Buss: Pleasure.
Actually, our deal stipulates
that I steer the ship on personnel decisions
-in the meantime. -(laughs) Alright, Jack.
Cooke: This way, son.
You know what they say about thoroughbreds?
You can judge one by its appetite.
I hope you brought yours, son.
-Our chef prepared his specialty. -Jerry Buss: Alright.
You're really pulling out the stops here, Jack.
-Cooke: Oh yeah. -(Jerry laughs)
(metal clinking)
-Cooke: Thank you, Tony. -Jerry Buss: Ta-da!
Alright! (clears throat) Bon appetit!
Bon appetit.
I'm, uh, ahem,
I'm told you're a city employee, Mr. Johnson.
Yes, sir. Saturdays and Sundays.
Weekdays, I'm on the Chrysler line.
Cooke: Chrysler? (laughs)
Small world. You'll get a chuckle out of this.
Buss here is selling me the Chrysler Building.
(quiet laughter)
Hmm.
I worked a mill line in Wyoming.
Never ate so good or slept so well,
-I'll tell you that. -I know that's right.
Buss. Yeah. That hard work, it'll put you to sleep, huh?
-Not built for everybody. -Jerry Buss: Mm.
What's the matter, son? You haven't touched your food.
Um... (laughs)
I was wondering, like...
-what is it? -(Jerry laughs)
Sand dabs.
-Okay. -Cooke: Th-they're sand dabs.
It's expensive is what it is. It's a very fine fish.
A delicacy. Take my word for it.
Right.
Could I just get a cheeseburger?
-(Jerry laughing) -Earvin Johnson Sr.: Earvin. Earvin.
Come on, Jack. The kid's 19. Get him a burger.
You want one, too, Mr. Johnson?
-I'm alright. -Tony?
Can you please get me a burger,
get this man a burger, and get this young man
right here a burger, with cheese and all that?
-Yeah, everything. -Alright. Everything, the works.
Whatever you got. You want one, Jack?
No, I'm enjoying my sand dab.
Okay, good. Good.
Thank you, Tony. (clears throat)
(cutlery clinking)
You should be aware, young man,
that we haven't settled on a pick yet.
That's cool. I haven't settled on a team yet.
But, he's not opposed to a fair offer either. Are you, son?
This is a draft, not free agency.
Choice is ours. He goes where he's told.
Or I go back to school,
turn pro next year for a different team.
Huh.
I'm thinkin' 600,000.
(Jerry chuckling)
Look here, son. Lew Alcindor is the league's biggest star.
-Kareem. -Cooke: Same difference.
He's also one surly son of a bitch negotiator,
and we closed at 650.
That's why six feels cool.
I mean, for now.
Plus tuition in the summertime,
so I can finish my degree, and, you know, make Mama happy.
Jerry Buss: That's important. (laughs)
-Don't underestimate mom. -Four.
And you can work your way through school, young man,
just like I did.
Way I see it, Mr. Cooke,
basketball is my work.
And I'm worth six.
This dab ain't half bad.
Look here, boy.
Jerry Buss: Ah...
-400,000's our final offer. -(Jerry coughs)
-(laughs) -(Jerry coughs)
Mr. Cooke, do what you want with your money.
Hey, Pop, let's go see some movie stars.
Alright, boys!
We're all boys here, right? (clears throat)
We're gonna think it over.
I-I'll walk you fellows out, alright?
That alright, Jack? It was a good lunch.
I enjoyed that salad, I'll tell you.
Johnson Sr.: We don't all get the world right out the gate, son.
More money than I've seen in my entire life.
That's what they're giving you, and you say no?
...really thrilled, especially my husband.
Look where we at, Pop.
We in this fancy-ass hotel.
They fly us out first class.
They do all that shit to get you primed up,
so you jump at the first offer they put in front of your face.
Earvin, pull your head out your ass.
All I know is you got 400,000
in the one hand, nothing in the other.
-Pretty simple choice to me. -That's you, Pop.
When I first got to Everett with all them white kids,
I was scared as hell.
I could've looked down and kept it moving,
but I didn't.
I looked them right in the eyes,
gave them a smile and a State Championship.
(laughs)
And now, they love them some Magic.
Just figured out a different way to deal with them is all.
I learned how to make 'em feel good.
You figure 'em out just like that?
(laughs) You can have pretty much anything you want.
You know how many times I went left when I should've gone right?
Hm?
Smiled when there was nothing funny?
Took less than I deserved,
but bowed my head and said,
"Thank you, sir,"
so you could keep your mind on playing ball?
-Pop... -And for all that,
I get you... telling me...
you know something about this life I don't?
Pop!
(phone ringing)
Hello?
(applause on TV)
Hey, Dr. Buss, what's up?
West: I mean, Moncrief's my fuckin' guy.
No, Mon-Moncrief is 100% my fuckin' guy.
Come fucking business time,
he was putting up 26, 27, 28.
He really posted the same numbers.
Scotch and soda.
("Papa Loves Mambo" by Perry Como playing)
What you got there, Jer?
Pictures of your sister.
Sharman says you're drafting Magic.
(laughs, mutters)
You thi-- think I-- Is that right?
Hey, what kind of doctor are you anyway?
Physical chemistry.
-Hm. -Believe it or not,
I used to help design missiles for the government.
But one day, I realized
I'd rather build things than blow 'em up.
That was the end of that.
Heavy, man.
Earvin, that's what I wanna do with the Lakers.
I wanna build something special.
Hm.
But I need a partner.
That mean we got a deal?
W-- I take you out for a nice burger,
you just wanna hit me again with that? (laughs)
600 is a lot, let me tell you.
You know what the Celtics just paid Larry Bird?
(laughs)
-Yeah, I see you smiling. -(laughing)
I mean, I don't see the difference between me and him.
You know, except...
-I kind of did whoop his ass for the national championship. -Yeah, you did.
-(laughs) -Come on.
I'm gonna take you one more place.
You wanna drive?
-Yeah! -Cool.
(funky music playing)
Is that Diana Ross?
Jerry Buss: Yes, it is.
-(laughs) -And next to her is Miss December.
I just paid for her sophomore year of college.
Great gal. You wanna meet her?
-(women laughing) -(Magic laughs nervously)
These ain't round-the-way-girls, like...
Now, the ladies love Magic,
but those are stars.
Let me let you in on a little secret, Earvin.
So are you.
(scoffs)
Far out, man. Far out.
Ooh! This is my favorite part. (laughs)
(playing electric organ)
Welcome to the legendary
Horn Nightclub!
-(funk music) -(applause)
And now, introducing...
the glamorous Horn Girls!
(cheering, whistling)
♪ Leave your worries at the doorstep ♪
♪ Take your honeys by the hand ♪
♪ Tap your feet, a little two-step ♪
♪ Get ready for the promised land ♪
♪ It's showtime ♪
It's showtime!
I don't know why basketball can't feel like that.
To me, Dr. Buss, it do.
(music stops)
Mrs. Rothman!
Get the hell in here!
(soft music)
What can I do for you?
Feel this.
I'm sorry?
Come on, Mrs. Rothman.
Poke it.
With your finger.
Does that feel medium to you?
Uh...
I'm not much of a cook,
Mr. Cooke.
Repeat after me, Mrs. Rothman.
I...
-I. -Will not!
-Will not. -(belches)
(quietly): Excuse me.
I'm gonna take this to the kitchen for you.
Have you seen this? Did you see the paper?
-(sighs) -Claire Rothman: I haven't, no.
Cooke: Take a read.
Out loud.
(Claire sighs)
"Mogul Cooke cited for...
"cruel and inhumane treatment
in largest divorce settlement in history."
My goddamn obituary.
First line, mark my words
after 30... years.
Joy to millions.
Inspiration to the fucking kids.
This is how I get remembered!
(soft music continues)
I could find another way, you know, to pay the bitch.
Suppose this deal fell through with...
Mr. Playboy Bunny-fucker.
Jerry Buss: Look at this. Says the Lakers
are drafting Sidney Moncrief, shooting guard.
Says the source comes from somebody in the front office.
What, and you think I told him?
Oh, fuck that.
Fuck you, too. Fuck no.
Doesn't matter where they got it.
-Does fucking matter. -No, it doesn't matter
because what matters is this. It's not the truth.
Alright? We're picking Johnson.
(stammers, sighs)
-That's a big mistake. It is. -Well...
Alright, it's a mistake.
But, we're doing it, alright? Look,
-Moncrief is a fine player. He-- -Great. Player.
Moncrief is a great player.
And you know what, Jerry? Fuck this.
He's also a better scorer by five fuckin' points a game.
Which is exactly what this fuckin' team needs to win!
Yeah. And Johnson's a star.
So was I! A fuckin' star!
I could pass behind my back, over my fucking head.
I co-- Hell, I could pass it out my fucking asshole if you wanted.
Do you know what? You wanna know what it got me?
-Do you wanna fucking know what it got me? -(slams table)
It got me sweet fuck-all!
It got me this, a fucking movie prize!
Here it is. Ho-ho-ho!
Hey, welcome him in, here he is!
Jerry Fucking West, MVP,
the most valuable fuckin' loser award!
1969 Celtics 4, Lakers 3, Jerry West!
Winning and fucking losin'.
You know what?
Cooke sent me out there to be his star, too.
Got me to sell his tickets.
And every year we lost, he still cashed his checks.
But I'm the one that's gotta live with it.
I'm the one that's gotta have the nightmares
with these Boston Irish motherfuckers flooding the floor.
Announcer: ...the always hustling, always chasing Jerry West,
with a final tally that was heart-breaking...
Do you think I like that?
Announcer: ...a series that could have
truly gone either way...
I can still smell the halitosis.
You got any idea what that's like?
-Huh? Do you fucking know what that feels like? -Probably pretty lousy--
No, you fuckin' don't!
'Cause this is not your life.
No, this is just a business deal to you.
Yes, sir.
So go on. Why don't you go ahead
and just tell me who I should fuckin' draft?
(slams trophy)
Yeah. Fuck it.
Jerry Buss: You're a great man, Jerry.
I'm looking forward to working with ya.
-I can't do this anymore. -Hey, listen.
I used to drink a lot of bourbon.
I switched to vodka. You can smell it less.
Just a tip.
("The Dancing Bumblebee" by Neil Diamond playing)
♪ ♪
-Whites only, sir. -What now?
It's a white party.
You have to wear white to enter.
♪ ♪
Oh. (laughs) Alright.
See, it's a LA thing. See, I was about to show you
what we do in Michigan when we hear something like that.
I see, sir. Let me assist you.
This ain't a bad jacket right here.
(party chatter)
♪ And when the hot winds blow tonight ♪
♪ ♪
You know, finders keepers. It's the finders keep--
Hey! There he is! Earvin!
-Dr. Buss. -How you doing? You found the place!
-I'm so glad you came. Come here. -Yes, sir.
I wanna introduce you to the big swinging dick
-that owns this joint. -Okay.
Don Sterling? Earvin Johnson.
You weren't kiddin', Jerry. You bought yourself a big one.
(ding)
-Wow. -(patting)
So muscular. Wow.
Jerry Buss: Alright, hands off the merchandise, Don.
Well, how you like the California girls, huh?
-Johnson: I'm likin' 'em. -This is Sienna.
-Nice to meet you. -And here we have Tasha.
Have some champagne before the coke.
It's much better that way.
This kid's from Michigan.
He's not into that stuff just yet, but we'll get to it.
-We'll get to it. Mind if I show him the place, Don? -Yeah. Sure, Jerry.
-So magnificent. -Don's always threatening to buy himself a team,
but he's too cheap. Throws a decent shindig, though.
♪ Oh, so hard to understand... ♪
-How you doing? -Norm Nixon: How you doing, man?
-You look fabulous. -Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hey, I want you to meet somebody.
This is Earvin Johnson.
Nixon: No shit.
If it ain't the Magic Man!
-Hey! -Stormin' Norman Nixon.
-What's up, brother? -Boys,
I have two dear friends in the Jacuzzi waiting for me,
so I'm gonna let you get to know each other, alright?
-Oh shit! -Be nice, Norm.
-Get that tail, Buss. Get that tail, Dr. Buss. -(laughing)
Okay.
Hey, you ready to show these people what's up?
-Where you from again, man? Ohio? -Lansing. Michigan.
Nixon: Oh, country nigga.
♪ ♪
-(scattered cheering) -Big country's got some game.
Woo!
(crowd reacts, applause)
So, how you likin' Cali so far, man?
It's cool.
People seem cool. Dr. Buss seems cool.
Let me give you a little advice though, my man, real quick.
-Go back to college. -(ball hits backboard)
(ball bouncing)
Guards in this league,
are six-two, six-three at best.
And most of 'em are lightning-fast. Quick hands.
And they all shoot better than you.
And take a brother's word for it.
This league ain't the place for you
to be figuring out a new position.
No, you'd be running your post moves
while these grown men pick your pocket, Cincinnati.
-It's Lansing. -Yeah.
Ah, I don't give a fuck.
-(swish) -(cheering)
Game is five.
♪ I'm a boogie woogie, baby, if you wanna see me boogie ♪
♪ All you gotta do is wind me up ♪
Nixon: Come on.
-Ooh! -(cheering)
I'm in fox, so I gotta take this shit off real quick.
-Johnson: Oh, the fox too hot for you? -Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Johnson: Let me take off my jacket.
Let-let-let me get a little bit relaxed.
Alright.
-I don't know about that. -You ready?
A-a-are you ready? This ain't Indiana, boy.
This ain't Larry Bird. This is the goddamn NBA defense.
-What you got? Come on. What you got? -Oh, you're on defense.
-You gonna hold deep? -Come on. Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Crowd: Oh!
(cheering)
(singing funk song)
♪ ♪
Let me take you down to the post real quick.
You ready? Oh!
-Oh! Oh! Excuse me. -(crowd oohing)
-Come on, Magic! -(clapping)
Magic, come here, come here, come here.
Can you do math?
-I know you aren't that smart. -(crowd oohing)
Oh shit. Okay, okay, okay. I'm fuckin' with you.
(laughs) Here we go.
♪ ♪
-(music stops) -Slow.
-(insects chirping) -(quiet laughter)
Can you understand that? We goin' slow, boy.
We going slow. Is-is-isn't that how
(Southern accent): you country boys be talkin'
o-o-out there, o-o-out there in,
uh, Michigan? Yeah? Okay.
-Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. -(dribbling)
(speeding up): Here we go. Here we go.
Here we go. Here-- Oh!
-Oh shit! Oh! -Crowd: Oh!
(crowd cheering)
Excuse me!
You know,
maybe stay in college one more year.
Play with your friends in the dorm.
That's cute.
Woo! Can I get my jacket? Thank you, baby.
Alright, take care now, boy.
(somber music playing)
Young Johnson: Oh! Monroe! Guarded! Johnson! Oh! Oh!
(fading out): Oh, Johnson! Johnson! Oh...
Don't use your power when you dribbling!
-Use your fingertips! -I took, like, four or five steps.
-Now, he's got the ball! -Johnson Sr.: Keep your hands up!
-Keep your eyes straight ahead! -Young Johnson: JV!
Johnson Sr.: Look straight ahead!
(Young Johnson chattering)
Go, ball, go! I won! (cheering)
♪ ♪
(knocking)
Come in.
You wanted to see me?
How's your first week going?
-Jeanie Buss: Good, good. -Good.
I figured out the Xerox.
-That's the hardest part. -(laughs)
Jeanie Buss: Is everything okay?
(exhales)
Dondo Obrigado.
A kid I knew in grade school.
First boy whose dick I saw. (scoffs) Not by choice.
He'd run around the lockers,
flashing all the girls, screaming,
(nasally): "Take a good look!
Remember this! Remember this!"
It didn't leave a big impression.
But he did. Dondo.
I have been meeting Dondos my whole life.
They usually park their asses back in that corner office.
Everyone's a little different,
but everyone's the same.
Every day they spin the wheel,
and wherever it lands,
that's the woman I need to be that day.
And you think my dad is one of them?
(sighs)
Well... is he?
I'm taking real good care of it.
Jerry Buss (on phone): Remember when we used to go
out to Catalina on that thing?
Oh, fuck off, Jerry, what do you want?
I need the loan.
It's my money, goddammit!
Jerry Buss: I know it's your money, JoAnn.
You deserve that money.
You know, I'm not asking you to give it to me.
I'm asking you to loan it to me,
to make me a loan that you will get back.
Mm...
Have you asked your horrible friends?
You don't think this is my first call? I called everybody.
-I got nothing left to sell. -Goddammit.
-When have I ever steered you wrong before? -(laughs)
Alright, touché. Yeah.
Besides convincing you to marry me, what else?
-It's my fucking money! -Is that what you want me to say?
Yeah, I cheated on you. She was a figure skater...
This call is not about our marriage.
This call is-is a financial call, and I'm begging you.
-Uh-huh. -I'm begging you.
I'm begging you.
Listen, do you know that Jeanie is already working there?
-No, no, no, no, don't you bring her into this! -Well, she's in it!
I can't help it. She's in it. She works there now,
and she's got her little heart set on it.
She's got her heart set on you.
Well, good! I'm her dad.
Is that a bad thing?
(sighs)
-I'll call the bank. -Thank you.
Thank you, Jo. You are not gonna regret this, I promise.
JoAnn: (laughing) Yeah, okay--
What, she's in?
♪ To dream the impossible dream... ♪
She's gonna lend us the last $2 million, Frank.
-(singing continues) -You beautiful son of a bitch. We got it!
-We got it? Oh my god-- -We got all of it!
-Mwah! -Don't you kiss me.
-Thank God for ex-wives, huh?
I feel like one right now. I love you! Magic.
Hey, Dad. Uh, do you have a minute?
-(door closes) -What happened?
It's Cooke.
He's going to ask for all of it in cash.
The whole amount because he knows you'll come up short.
Rothman: It's not business. It's personal.
He wants to fuck you like you're Miss July.
Why are you telling me this, Claire?
Uh, (scoffs) I just wanna do my job.
You work for Cooke.
I think I'd rather work for you.
(on television): This sure is a creepy shortcut!
Are you sure we're going the right way?
We did not come out here to California
to sit in some dark-ass room
and miss all this beautiful sunshine.
-You've been in here all day. -(TV continues)
I don't know, Pop.
-(Johnson sighs) -What you don't know?
I come in here,
everybody gassin' me up, saying I'ma be the next big thing.
But, what if I go out there with all this height,
and fall flat on my ass?
Then what?
I'll go back to Lansing?
Well, I can think of worse things.
At least you got people there who love you.
I just don't wanna be Lansing's tallest garbage man.
Pop, I'm...
No, no...
(sighs)
When you were still inside your mother...
we'd stay up some nights,
holding each other in that Lansing in cold,
just dreaming about your future.
One night,
it'd be Dr. Johnson.
Next night,
maybe a judge.
Never in a million years did I believe,
or even think, pro ball.
If you're not ready for this league yet,
go on back to school, son.
If you're not ready ever, I don't care. I love you.
You hear me?
My bottom line won't change, son.
Never will.
(funky music playing)
The humble home of Jack Kent Cooke!
Lives in California, but he has to make it seem like
he's the goddamn Queen of England.
I know what he's planning, and if you think that gave me
enough time to hustle up the extra cash, you're wrong.
I'm dead in the water.
But, you know why I love swans?
The most graceful bird on Earth,
but underneath the water,
they're paddlin' up a fuckin' storm.
(splashing)
Well...
these are the deeds...
of the properties as agreed.
Assessed value of 33.75 million.
You already have my 18 down, and, uh...
this check should cover the rest.
You know I have the right to demand all of it in cash
instead?
(laughs)
Well, Jack, then I'd be up shit creek.
And so would you.
Watch me paddle, motherfuckers.
So you can kill this deal, and you can fleece me
for my whole down payment,
but you're still going to owe
your ex-wife a whole lot of money.
And then, you're gonna have to find another buyer
for a franchise in a league
that most sane people think is sinking
like a hard turd in a toilet.
I mean, that's the facts, Jack.
So, if we're playing poker,
no. I don't have the cards.
But Jack, I think we're playing chicken.
And I like those odds a whole lot better.
(clicks tongue)
We will accept the properties in trade.
(clears throat) That was always my plan,
to take the properties in trade.
-Great. -(ding)
(distant siren)
Rothman: What's going on? Did someone die?
Worse.
Jerry Buss: Well, shit. (laughs)
The office girl said she could get us on the first flight home.
Jerry Buss: Yeah.
Back to college.
Earvin, are you sure there's nothing I can do
to change your mind?
I-I'm sorry, Dr. Buss. It's just, um...
Just timing, I guess. Um...
Just think I need another year.
(flips cards)
(inhales)
Well, you know your heart, son.
-You had a pretty good time. -Johnson: Yeah.
Give me a second. I'll walk you out.
I'm just gonna grab my coat here.
(fluorescent lights buzzing)
(sniffs)
This is Jerry. Missed that shot. (laughs)
(clears throat) Beautiful form, though.
Johnson: Great player.
Wait a minute.
(sighs) Well, crap.
I think I just got us lost. (laughs) Uh...
You know what? Hang tight.
I'm gonna find someone to get us out of here.
I don't have the place memorized yet!
Just wait right there. Just wait right there.
Sorry, Earvin! I'll be right back!
(buzzing continues)
♪ ♪
(funky guitar riff)
♪ ♪
(bouncing echoes)
Johnson: He has the ball. He brings it downcourt.
He crosses.
He goes between his legs.
He crosses. He spins.
He takes it to the right...
Oh!
He makes the layup!
Oh! He gets the rebound! Oh my gosh!
A guard that can rebound like that? That's amazing!
He brings the ball downcourt.
It's the Magic Man puttin' on a show.
He's doing it! He's doing it!
He goes left!
He goes up!
Throws it! Ah! He throws the ball!
Lakers win! Lakers win! Lakers win...
♪ ♪
(panting)
♪ ♪
The first pick,
of the 1979 NBA draft,
the Los Angeles Lakers select...
Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
Reporter: What should the fans expect? Can this team make a title run?
You tell them if they like basketball, come on out.
The Lakers are already a great team.
With me? It's gonna be exciting.
Reporter 1: Earvin, will they miss you in Michigan?
Reporter 2: Are you ready for the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles?
Jerry Buss: There he is!
♪ ♪
(door slams)
(Jerry West sighs)
("Night And Day" playing)
(neon lights buzzing)
♪ Like the beat, beat, beat of the tom-tom ♪
♪ When the jungle shadows fall ♪
♪ Like the tick tick tock of the stately clock... ♪
Reporter (on TV): Magic Johnson became
the second-highest-paid rookie in NBA history today
behind Larry Bird, singing a contract
for half a million dollars a year.
With such an astronomical salary,
expectations will be sky-high...
♪ So a voice within me ♪
♪ Keeps repeating ♪
♪ You, you, you... ♪
♪ Night and day ♪
♪ You are the one ♪
♪ Only you beneath the moon... ♪
Well...
I own this. (laughs)
♪ It's no matter, darling ♪
(laughing)
♪ Where you are, I think of you ♪
(coughing)
I fuckin' own this.
(laughing) Ah!
(wild laughter)
♪ That this longing for you... ♪
I fucking own this.
♪ ...follows wherever I go ♪
(sighs)
I fucking own this!
(laughs)
(screams)
♪ Are you ready now? ♪
♪ To get on down ♪
(funky guitar riff)
♪ Get on down, baby ♪
♪ Get on down ♪
♪ And boogie around ♪
♪ I say, people across the nation ♪
♪ You've got yourselves a good creation ♪
♪ People across the nation, yeah ♪
♪ You've got yourselves a good vibration ♪
♪ You're sending out good vibrations ♪
♪ You've got yourselves a good vibration ♪
♪ Are you ready? ♪
♪ Are you ready now? ♪
♪ Are you ready? ♪
♪ Are you ready now? ♪
♪ To get on down ♪
♪ ♪