Winning Time The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty 2022 Beginning with the arrival of Earvin Magic Johnson as the number one overall pick of the 1979 draft, the Lakers played basketball with gusto and pizzazz, unleashing their famed Showtime run and gun style on a league unprepared for their speed and ferocity and became the most captivating show in sports and, arguably, in all around American entertainment The Lakers roster overflowed with exciting all star caliber players, including center Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and they were led by the incomparable Pat Riley, known for his slicked back hair, his Armani suits, and his arrogant strut Hollywoods biggest celebrities lined the court and gorgeous women flocked to the arena Best of all, the team was a winner Between 1980 and 1991, the Lakers played in an unmatched nine NBA championship series, capturing five of them