The HBO series "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" can have a flexible relationship with the truth. While it is based on Jeff Pearlman's deeply reported book "Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s," it doesn't necessarily stick to the facts at all times.
But not even the most creative writers in Hollywood could have generated a scene as bizarre as the one that unfolded on Nov. 19, 1981.
After Magic Johnson publicly requested a trade early in the 1981-82 season because of his dissatisfaction with head coach Paul Westhead, Lakers owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead. Los Angeles was on a five-game winning streak at the time, but it was clear that something was off in Laker Land.
Buss knew that he had a team capable of winning a championship, so he couldn't miss the mark when it came to selecting Westhead's replacement. Buss nailed the hire, naming future Hall of Famer Pat Riley the next head coach of the Lakers — well, sort of.
When it was time to officially reveal which candidate would be taking over following Westhead's departure, Buss left everyone, including Riley, extremely confused.
MORE: Breaking down Magic Johnson's famous 25-year contract with Lakers
The Pat Riley-Jerry West press conference, explained
Ahead of the November press conference, Buss asked Jerry West, who had served as the Lakers' head coach from 1976-79 before shifting to the front office, to return to his previous role.
Pearlman noted that West's response to the question changed depending on which person described the meeting, but Los Angeles guard Norm Nixon said, "Considering how much Jerry hated being a coach, I can't imagine he wanted that job."
Regardless of what was actually said in the conversation, Buss "came to the conclusion that West not only accepted the position, but did so enthusiastically," per Pearlman. But Riley later met West, who told Riley that he would be the head coach.
"I'll help you out as an assistant for as long as you need, but hopefully not too long," West said. "I know you're going to do great things."
And then things got really weird. At the press conference, Buss declared that West would be the offensive coach and Riley would handle the defensive end. Uh, what?
Pearlman provided this perplexing exchange from the press conference transcript:
Buss: I did not specifically make someone head coach and someone else assistant coach. That was not accidental. I did it the way I announced on purpose. I feel that Pat is very capable of running the Laker team. However, I feel that we need a new offensive coach. I asked Jerry if he'd take that job and, fortunately, because of his relationship with Pat, I feel the two of them will coach this team together, with Jerry being in charge of the offense in particular.
Reporter: Jerry, there'll be a game tomorrow night. The game will end. Will two coaches come out to talk to us? Or will they choose which one it's going to be from game to game?
Buss: We discussed that. In reality I'm really making this change to change the offense, and since Jerry West will be in charge of the offense, he will be who you want to question. You can, however, talk to Pat whenever you want, as well.
Reporter: Jerry, who picks the starting lineup?
Buss: Who picks the starting lineup? In basketball, that's typically the coach.
Reporter: Which one of these two?
Buss: Oh, which one of these two? Uh, I think there are some things along the line, not only the starting lineups but other considerations as well — uh, potential trades, etcetera, etcetera — that Pat and Jerry are going to have to sit down and work out what their relative responsibilities are. Fortunately, we're dealing with a situation of two men who have worked together on and off for years and therefore I have decided to leave that up to them... the division of their duties.
West finally stepped in to eliminate any confusion, saying that he was "going to be working for Pat Riley."
"And I think my responsibility is to him because I feel in my heart that he is the head coach," West said. "And hopefully my position here won't be a long-range position."
Riley had assumed that he would be on the way out the door with Westhead, so the news stunned him. He was excited for the incredible opportunity, but he also had a great deal of respect for Westhead.
"Well, I haven't had a whole lot of time to give it much thought and I'm reacting rather emotionally to this thing because it's not a very fun day for me, nor is it for Paul," Riley said. "So until we can sit down, Jerry and myself, and discuss some of the things we can do to improve the incentive of the team, then I don't think I can really discuss that philosophy right now."
In the midst of one of the strangest situations of his life, Riley did manage to crack a joke. After a reporter asked Riley whether he had discussed adding assistant coaches to the staff, he said, "Have I talked about any assistants? I just want lunch."
Following the conclusion of the wild event, West pulled Riley aside, according to Pearlman. He felt the need to drive his point home.
"You're the head coach of this team," West said. "You're the only f—ing head coach."
With Riley running the show, the Lakers won 50 of their final 71 regular season games. They were also dominant during the 1982 NBA Playoffs, winning 12 of their 14 postseason games on their way to the championship.
Riley went on to lead Los Angeles to three more titles in the 1980s. Buss took a bumpy road to get to him, but it turned out that he found the right guy.
