JERRY BUSS: Welcome to sunny Los Angeles.
I'm gonna buy the Lakers.
Great for tans.
Tell 'em to win the championship one of these days.
Shit for fans.
-So, we got a deal? -SPEAKER: Why are you concerned?
-Liquidity. -We don't have it.
Shut up, Frank.
-What happened? -We have a deal.
Fantastic. We don't have it, by the way.
I just promised to pay 67.5 million dollars
for the whole shebang.
I fucking own this!
Red? Jerry Buss. Big fan.
Well, that won't last long.
I doubt that, I love a winner.
Well, then you bought the wrong team.
No one loses quite like the Lakers.
I'm here for Dr. Buss?
JEANIE BUSS: Hi, sorry. He just started on his hair, so it could be a while.
Do you want to come in?
So your mom, she's cool,
you staying here with Dr. Buss, and all?
Yeah, they split up ages ago. So.
Your moms was with him too?
He's my dad.
When that loan comes due, this albatross is on the hook.
I'm not selling the team.
You're giving it away.
No fucking way. I'll pay the loan.
You're broke!
PAUL WESTHEAD: Hi, Jerry.
(IMITATING JERRY'S VOICE) Hey, Paul.
(AS PAUL) I'm really trying my best.
(AS JERRY) Well, I recognize that.
Guarded you my junior year.
Number 32.
That's right. That's me.
I hope you make a better fucking coach.
(AS JERRY) I appreciate all of your efforts.
(AS PAUL) Thanks.
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR: This is bigger than the game.
How you comport yourself in the public eye,
that's how the world sees all of us.
You saying I don't act right?
If you want respect, young brother, you have to show some.
I have to show some respect?
We all calling you "Cap,"
but you ain't leading shit around here.
PLAYER: We have to get it in. Gotta get in there.
JEANIE: Why do you work here?
SPEAKER 2: Why do you work at all?
JEANIE: I look at my mom,
I mean, I love her more than anything,
but nobody needs her.
Not like people need my dad.
And all those years she spent raising us,
but my dad, he spent chasing what he wanted.
We'll have celebrities. A new row, right on the floor.
For all the cameras, stars of the show.
It's show time.
PLAYER: Bring it in, bring it in.
Let's go, fellas. Team on three.
-One, two, three... -LAKERS: Team!
(CHEERING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
Does it feel the way that you pictured?
In your head, all these years?
JACK MCKINNEY: Better.
I didn't see you smile.
Oh, there! There. (LAUGHS)
Bill, what hospital are you at?!
I'm coming, I'm coming.
Okay. Jesus fucking Christ. Fuck.
SPEAKER: Is he gonna make it?
Pete, you're coaching the game tomorrow.
Just take it easy.
JERRY WEST: I'm fucking cursed. Look at me.
You're Gene Kelly. You're Ginger Rogers.
Tonight, you gotta do what?
I'm gonna put on my taps, and I'm gonna dance.
That's right baby.
Gentlemen, I know that our hearts are heavy.
There is nothing that Jack McKinney
would want more than a win.
So let's take a minute. Give sorrow words.
The grief that does not speak
whispers the o'erfraught heart and bids it break.
So, Coach dead?
No. No, no, no, no.
Oh, shit.
PAT RILEY: You told me to quit my job.
-I just, I just-- -You fuckin' lied to me.
You are not an announcer, you are a coach.
You're my coach.
No, I'm your fucking nanny.
You want a fucking coach?
Stand up for your fucking team!
You want to keep this fucking job?
Yes.
Then you fucking yell! Yell it!
(SHOUTING) Yes!
There's your fucking wake up call. Now answer it!
Yo, what's up, Larry?
I'm gonna rip your fucking ass a new hole.
MAGIC JOHNSON: Maybe y'all are right.
I should just stick to playing ball.
Maybe. Or...
you could go out there and beat his ass.
They gonna love me then?
Fuck no.
They'll double down on his greatness.
And they'll whisper yours. If they say anything at all.
That silence? That's not invisibility.
It's power.
♪ (ROCK MUSIC PLAYS) ♪
ANNOUNCER: Team one for Chaney!
ANNOUNCER 2: I tell you, these refs must be blind.
What is you doing?!
Use the goddamn whistle!
Please, refs. Please.
ANNOUNCER: Cooper trips over his feet.
Call it! Call the fucking--
ANNOUNCER 2: Officials are swallowing their whistles once again.
Fucking call it!
Goddamn it.
This fiddle-faddle officiating may cost the Lakers the game.
(LAUGHS)
It's just a fucking game, Jerry.
Good morning.
Come here.
I remember the smile you had on your face
the first time we broke into this place.
I haven't seen that smile.
Not for a very long time.
Well, you stick around to see us win this thing,
you can see it then.
You promise?
-(CHEERING) -ANNOUNCER 3: And it's official.
The Lakers win the 1980 NBA World Championship.
REPORTER: You've been an NBA owner all of one year,
you must be on top of the world.
Woo! Yeah.
These guys gave everything they had.
And this is the end result.
Now, I guess we do it all over again.
(CROWD CHEERS)
SPEAKER 3: Hey, that's what I'm talking about!
Go ahead.
Everyone who said we couldn't do it, you can go (CENSORED).
♪ (JAZZY MUSIC PLAYS) ♪