Jeanie Buss Dishes on “Running Point”: From Lakers Dynasty to Netflix Comedy
Jeanie Buss, the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, has stepped off the court and onto the screen with “Running Point,” a new Netflix comedy series inspired by her own experiences navigating the high-stakes world of professional basketball.
From “Winning Time” to “Running Point”
Buss was initially inspired to pursue her own narrative after watching HBO’s “Winning Time,” a dramatized series about the Lakers’ Showtime era. While she appreciated the show’s portrayal of her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, she felt frustrated at not being involved in a project that depicted her own life story.
This led her to collaborate with Mindy Kaling, David Stassen, and Ike Barinholtz to create “Running Point,” a 10-episode comedy series loosely based on Buss’s experiences and her unique partnership with Linda Rambis.
“Running Point”: A Fictionalized Look at Real-Life Challenges
The series follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), the newly appointed controlling owner of the fictional Los Angeles Waves. While Buss emphasizes that the characters and storylines are fictionalized, the show draws heavily from her real-life challenges and triumphs, including:
- Family Power Struggles: Isla battles with her brothers for control of the team, mirroring Buss’s own struggles with her siblings after their father’s passing.
- Defying Expectations: Isla refuses to trade key players despite pressure from the organization, reflecting Buss’s own bold decisions that ultimately led to the Lakers’ championship win in 2020.
- Breaking Barriers: Isla navigates a male-dominated industry and faces misogynistic attitudes, echoing Buss’s own experiences as a woman in a leadership position in professional sports.
- Balancing Personal and Professional Life: Isla juggles her demanding career with her personal relationships, including a potential romance with the team’s head coach, drawing parallels to Buss’s own high-profile relationship with Phil Jackson.
Behind the Scenes: Buss’s Influence on the Show
The writing team spent months researching Buss’s life and career, even touring the Lakers’ arena and interviewing Buss and Rambis to gain insights into the inner workings of an NBA franchise. Stassen, one of the writers, was particularly interested in understanding Buss’s day-to-day responsibilities and decision-making process.
Buss also played a role in casting Kate Hudson as Isla, believing that Hudson’s previous exposure to the behind-the-scenes world of professional sports made her the perfect fit for the role.
“Running Point”: A Celebration of Women in Sports
“Running Point” offers a humorous and insightful look into the challenges and triumphs of running a family business, particularly in the high-pressure world of professional sports. It also serves as a testament to Jeanie Buss’s resilience and determination as a woman who defied expectations and carved her own path in a male-dominated industry.
With its blend of comedy, drama, and real-life inspiration, “Running Point” is sure to entertain and inspire audiences, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of professional basketball and the woman who helped shape it.
