Buckle up. More Lakers-related content is here, and this time it has the backing of the people behind the trophies and fanfare. Enter Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers.
Over the past year, a lot of attention has been placed on the NBA dynasty. Months ago, the hit HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty captivated fans with the dramatized account of how the Showtime-era Lakers took shape. While viewers seemed to fawn over the show, a few of the real players and personnel of that time offered some very harsh critiques of the series for its fabrication of events.
The loudest critics were basketball legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West. (With all fairness, we did our research via Fact vs Fiction pieces that proved a number of things shown in the series were indeed dramatizations and not what actually happened.)
Now with an opportunity for not just the Showtime-era Lakers but many big names that have played a part in the history of the purple and gold to share their truths, the new docuseries provides NBA fans with an entertaining streaming option.
Here’s everything we know about Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers.
The Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers episode guide
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers debuted in the US on Monday, August 15 on Hulu. The 10-part series continues to air new episodes on the following Mondays. While some may argue the series is a bit biased in favor of those involved with the building of the Laker Dynasty, many viewers are enjoying the docuseries. Especially since it reveals more about the mysteries behind the Buss family. The season finale wraps on Monday, October 10.
Below we've included an episode guide for the show.
Episode 1:
"Real estate mogul Dr. Jerry Buss buys the Lakers, drafts rookie sensation Magic Johnson and welcomes his kids into the family business. Facing dramatic setbacks and shocking turns, the team captivates fans as Dr. Buss’s approach changes the NBA forever."
Episode 2:
"After Magic Johnson shocks the media and asks to be traded, Dr. Buss does damage control. As the team welcomes a new coach and vital role-players who cement Showtime, the Buss kids juggle more responsibilities - and pressures- for the family business."
Episode 3:
"Dr. Buss, a self-made man from a broken home and humble beginnings, is shocked when his eldest son quits the family business. After trade rumors upset the team, Dr. Buss qualms concerns and the team gets back on track. But their legendary streak ends."
Episode 4:
"Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retires, creating doubts about the team’s future. As the Buss kids pull away from their dad in business and life, coach Riley becomes distracted by fame. The team soldiers on – until tragic news shocks the franchise and the world."
Episode 5:
"A new era dawns, as gangsta rap explodes and the Lakers draft a gritty point guard who embodies the cultural shift. As Dr. Buss struggles to rebuild, his kids return to The Forum. Magic also returns, right before the franchise finds its next superstars."
Episode 6:
"Expectations build when Dr. Buss’s new superstar comes to Hollywood and a teen rookie makes bold claims. As the family business expands, Dr. Buss’s kids all get promotions. Business and family become more entwined than ever when an iconic coach enters."
Episode 7:
"A major front office change threatens the team’s chances of making history. Dr. Buss’s eldest son seeks to impress his father, while family tensions brew. Meanwhile, the Lakers weather shocking off-court drama to chase another title."
Episode 8:
"A retooled lineup and new coach attempt to live up to the Laker legacy, as Kobe Bryant shoots for the record books. But he won’t be content until they win another title. Meanwhile, Dr. Buss empowers his son Jimmy to assume more power in the franchise."
Episode 9:
"An aging Dr. Buss cements his legacy, while the franchise seeks another historic title amid dysfunction on and off the court. A dramatic and emotional loss puts the franchise and family into unprecedented disarray."
Episode 10:
"Jeanie Buss encounters upheaval in her personal and professional life as she struggles to balance running a family and a business. As she attempts to find equilibrium, the events of 2020 throw the franchise, and the world, into chaos."
What is Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers about?
Hulu describes the premise of the docuseries as the following:
"Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers captures the remarkable rise and unprecedented success of one of the most dominant and iconic franchises in professional sports. Featuring exclusive access to the Buss Family and probing, revealing interviews with players, coaches and front office execs, this 10-part documentary series chronicles this extraordinary story from the inside – told only by the people who lived it.
"When charismatic real estate tycoon Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers in a wildly risky and complex business deal, nobody could’ve predicted just how much success was to come. Kicking off the Showtime era in 1979, the notorious L.A.-playboy pioneered the business of basketball. He raised the price of floor seats, introduced dancers and a live band, opened an exclusive private club inside the arena and cultivated famous fans in Hollywood. Over the last 40 years, the team captured 11 titles and retired the jerseys of some of the NBA’s most legendary players.
"Today, Dr. Buss’s empire is now worth more than $5 billion. But all of that success did not come easy. Along with notorious feuds, career-ending illnesses and a bevy of insurmountable on-court obstacles, the Lakers have also weathered intense drama off the court – within Dr. Buss’s own family. Running the franchise as a ‘mom and pop’ operation, Dr. Buss gave his children front office jobs with the understanding they would, someday, inherit his kingdom. But sibling rivalry, interpersonal conflict and corporate unrest threatened to destroy everything Dr. Buss worked so hard to build. Ultimately, Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers is about family, business, and power –and how all three must be harnessed to achieve greatness."
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that while the show discusses the building of the empire, it looks as if some of the personalities featured discuss the tragic passing of NBA great Kobe Bryant.
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers cast
As previously mentioned, the docuseries features some pretty legendary NBA figures. Among the list of individuals offering their take on the Lakers organization are Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lebron James, Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher, Jerry West and Jeanie Buss.
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers trailer
Based on the trailer, basketball fans should be excited as the docuseries is pulling back the curtain on a dynasty that is one of the most revered in NBA history. It's interesting to watch the documentary with a comparative lens thinking about what was shown in Winning Time.
How to watch Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers
For those interested in watching the series in the US, you’ll want to make sure you have a Hulu subscription as the series streams directly on the platform. The streaming service currently offers both an ad-free and ad-supported option.
As of right now, it has not been officially announced when/where would-be viewers in the UK can watch Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers. However, once that information becomes available we’ll be sure to include it here.
