Profitable Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is returning for its second season quickly and, with that, followers will quickly turn into reacquainted with its forged of characters. There have been a whole lot of boisterous personalities on show throughout Season 1 of the HBO present, which was effectively obtained by critics. Inside the narrative, one one who struggled to search out his voice was assistant coach Paul Westhead, who’s performed skillfully by Jason Segel. By the top of the present’s first season, Westhead turned head coach of the Lakers and led the staff to victory on the 1980 NBA Finals. Westhead’s story is primed to take a flip in Season 2, although, and Segel teased his arc with an A+ Lord of the Rings analogy.
Anybody who wants context on the primary season (and NBA historical past) ought to know that Paul Westhead was introduced in by his pal, Jack McKinney, after the latter was named LA’s coach in 1979. McKinney would finally endure a critical bike accident through the season, main Westhead to take his place on the helm. He’d later maintain the job and assist the membership earn the beforehand talked about championship.
The previous English instructor was portrayed as meek throughout Profitable Time Season 1 and was merely employed by Jack McKinney as a result of he had no spine. That appears to have modified, because the trailer for Season 2 teases that he’s changing into a domineering man (who’s now sporting a mullet). Weeks earlier than the SAG-AFTRA strike started, I spoke with Jason Segel concerning the stark, season-to-season change amid press day for Season 2. I used to be particularly interested by which iteration of the character he loved enjoying extra. Segel undoubtedly has a transparent favourite and revealed it earlier than going into additional element. What I didn’t anticipate was for him to attach his function to an iconic merchandise from Center-earth:
So [the] extra enjoyable [version] to play was this season. However my method is every time I am doing one thing, for at the very least for my character, I am like, ‘What is that this about? What am I making an attempt to precise on this piece, ?’ And in Season 1, it was anyone getting into their manhood. And in Season 2, it was anyone unable to carry the Ring of Energy. And in order that was actually enjoyable, like anyone on the downfall, the decline and being overtaken by their very own delight, and the ‘my treasured’ components, all of it was actually, actually enjoyable to play. So I had a good time.
Followers of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy e book sequence certainly know the One Ring is an extremely highly effective artifact that only a few are robust sufficient to wield. A Lord of the Rings analogy could seem random within the context of Profitable Time, nevertheless it’s really apt when describing Paul Westhead. As historical past tells us, after that title run in 1980, he needed one other (championship) ring and did his darndest to get one. Later throughout our viral interview, Jason Segel, who I spoke to alongside co-star Solomon Hughes, doubled down on his LOTR comparability:
Yeah, , the factor concerning the Ring of Energy is nobody’s capable of maintain it, even Frodo wasn’t capable of maintain it, ? However Westhead undoubtedly could not maintain it [laughs].
The Shakespeare lover’s continued reign because the coach of the Lakers is just one of many subplots that’s going to be explored within the new season. The previews for the brand new episodes give off a unique vibe, and even the writers/EP consider it has shades of Star Wars’ The Empire Strikes Again. Amid that, you’ll need to be careful for Jason Segel’s Westhead, as he continues his quest for the One Ring… I imply, one other championship ring.
Profitable Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty returns to HBO with new episodes on Sunday, August 6, at 9 p.m. ET as a part of the 2023 TV schedule. Episodes may even be obtainable to stream with a Max subscription. That very same membership offers you entry to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies, which we’ve ranked.
