Adrien Brody and Quincy Isaiah talk about what to expect in Winning Time: Season 2

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty wrapped its first season, showing how the Lakers changed the NBA in the early 1980s as the dynasty won its first championship ring. A few weeks before the second season premieres, we had the opportunity to chat with Quincy Isaiah and Oscar winner Adrien Brody (Magic Johnson and Coach Pat Riley, respectively) about the changes their characters will undergo in season two. Although details about the era the season will cover, the period between 1980 and 1984, have already been revealed, the details mentioned were minimal, so those unfamiliar with this part of the Lakers’ history may be surprised.

There’s quite a bit of personal growth for Magic and for Riley

Quincy Isaiah says Magic has “a lot more self-doubt .” In Season 1, we had a Magic who came as a surprise to the NBA with a lot of confidence in his abilities, an explosive style of play and all the support of owner Jerry Buss, but now life is going to bring him different kinds of challenges off the court.

I think Magic was more like just trying to figure everything out [in season 1], coming from college to the professional race and dealing with being a superstar in LA,” Isaiah commented. “And now he is used to that now and we get to see him dealing with more life stuff, whether it is becoming a father, or not agreeing with his coach, even considering if maybe his life was better before. There are a lot of ways that Magic is having a lot more self-doubt that it’s being brought in, I would say through the relationships that he has as opposed to the uncomfortability of a new situation.”

For his part, Adrien Brody commented that this season shows a Riley who “It’s not [on] an easy road but it’s something he is destined to do.” Brody will have a more prominent role this season, considering that in the first one we see him having a persevering growth that takes him from a former player almost in oblivion, to a commentator, to someone who becomes a support to the technical team of a Lakers on the rise.

“It’s a major shift for Pat Riley in season 2,” said Brody. “He’s been a loyal soldier to (Paul) Westhead and a true friend, even though there was a conflicting style in coaching he was always different to Westhead, and he find himself in a position where he can has to take charge and lead. Fortunately, he knows how to communicate with Magic and the players and he comes on his own in this season. It’s not an easy road but it’s something he is destined to do, obviously. It’s a remarkable journey. You need a coach that proves you can do this and you need someone like that holding you up or else, it’s very hard to take the lead in this kind of competitive sport.”

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Season 2 premieres next Sunday, August 6, on HBO and HBO MAX, chronicling a time when the great rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics exploded, as well as the feud between Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird.