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There's no doubt that "Winning Time: The Rise of Lakers Dynasty" has been a surprise hit for HBO given its worthy critical acclaim and robust viewership numbers. While fans of the throwback docudrama series wait for its Season 2 spin on one of NBA history's greatest teams, there's still plenty to unwrap from a blockbuster Season 1.Despite some Nolan Ryan Jersey  controversy over its portrayal of real-life Lakers personalities, the eclectic cast of "Winning Time"  including John C. Reilly as Dr. Jerry Bu s and newcomer Quincy Isaiah as Earvin "Magic" Johnson  has captivated audiences in recreating "Showtime" vibes of the late 70s and early 80s.Although much of "Winning Time" is based on actual events as chronicled in Jeff Pearlman's best-selling non-fiction book "Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s" there are some liberties taken for dramatic effect.MORE:Here's how much Season 1 stuck to the true story vs. stretching the truth through composites with more entertaining television in mind:"Winning Time" fiction: Magic Johnson thought about returning to Michigan State after being ready to be drafted by the LakersNBA fact: Magic Johnson would have thought about returning to Michigan State if he wasn't drafted by the LakersThe No. 1 pick in the 1979 NBA Draft was decided by a coin flip. With the rights to Johnson's Indiana State-produced archrival Larry Bird being held by the Celtics from the previous draft, it came down to the Lakers and Chicago Bulls. Once Bu s pushed for the Lakers to take Johnson over fellow guard Sidney Moncrief and others, Johnson was locked into playing for Los Angeles.Although Johnson was a Lansing, Michigan native, he didn't really want to stay in the Midwest and play for Chicago. Because the Bulls were never an option, that was not a true consideration. Johnson got his wish to take his winning smile to Hollywood."Winning Time" fiction: Jerry West rage quit as Lakers coach just weeks before the 1979-80 seasonNBA fact: Jerry West resigned as Lakers coach months before the 1979-80 seasonWest was not rash in his decision and didn't embarra s Bu s or leave the owner in a tough scramble spot during training camp. West was more contemplative and considerate of stepping down much earlier than that, admitting later he had lost his confidence in his coaching abilities. That stemmed from multiple playoff disappointments in that capacity, carrying over some of his competitive frustration during his playing days as a one-time champion.There's no doubt West New York Mets Jersey  was pa sionate about the Lakers and wanted to do what was best for them. "Winning Time" has gotten heat for pushing the envelope with West and portraying him more as a foul-mouthed hothead with the potential for violent outbursts. West has been transparent about his battles with depre sion, but there's zero evidence of that manifesting into smashing trophies through gla s.For the most part, actor Jason Clarke plays West well and in the end, he comes off as a likable and respected man as the Lakers' future ace general manager. The way West was lost was using him as  Jeurys Familia Jersey the exaggerated dramatic foil early into Bu s' ownership."Winning Time" fiction: Magic Johnson has trouble meshing with his older teammates as a rookieNBA fact: Magic Johnson had little troubling meshing with all of his teammates as a rookieJohnson, only 20 during his NBA rookie season, brought mostly youthful exuberance and injection of fun into a veteran roster. That translated to them playing so well together on the court in the early stages of "Showtime."There was some natural competitivene s with incumbent point guard Norm Nixon. "Winning Time" takes the mild tension between them to ridiculous heights, however, in a scene where Nixon and Johnson play a game of one-on-one while dre sed to the nines at a fancy L.A. party. That dynamic quickly fizzles once new coach Jack McKinney flips the team toward a free-flowing style where Johnson and Nixon are both key backcourt starters.There's also a sense from the series that Magic's flashy game doesn't sit right with some and he's often put in place by Abdul-Jabbar for worlds and scuffles with teammates. From all accounts, Johnson got along with teammates over the years and was respected for being a winner and leader beyond his years not long after he got into the league."Winning Time" fiction: Paul Westhead needed time to figure out what to do as the Lakers' head coachNBA fact: Paul Westhead knew right away what he was doing as the Lakers' head coachMcKinney's decision to hire profe sorial friend Westhead as his a sistant coach is key to the initial Lakers championship succe s with Johnson. Westhead (Jason Segel), after 13 games, takes over Tim Tebow Jersey  the team for the interim in November 1979 after McKinney (Tracy Letts) suffers a life-threatening bicycle accident. Helped by future Lakers "Showtime" star Pat Riley (Adrien Brody), Westhead keeps the head-coaching job throughout the regular season and playoffs.Westhead is seen in "Winning Time" at first as a bumbling Shakespeare-quoting replacement who has trouble connecting with his players and putting his own succe sful spin on McKinney's fast-paced brand of basketball. That sets up the plot point of him needing Riley's help to make the Lakers hum, foreshadowing Riley's full-time takeover of the team in two years.In reality, Westhead was an experienced coach and the Lakers didn't mi s a beat with their jazzy domination in the Western Conference, fueled by Magic and Kareem. He made the right tweaks with Riley all the way through the season, culminating in moving Johnson to center in the NBA Finals with Abdul-Jabbar sidelined by an ankle injury.Westhead is treated more like a serendipitous figure, someone who wouldn't be anything with McKinney or Riley. Although he was fired and replaced by Riley during the 1981-1982 season because of not seeing eye-to-eye with Johnson and sticking with the "Showtime" concepts, Westhead saved the Lakers from a Jose Reyes Jersey  tough situation and deserves more credit for sparking a dynasty."Winning Time" fiction: Magic Johnson's first NBA game vs. Larry Bird was in hostile BostonNBA fact: Magic Johnson's first NBA game vs. Larry Bird was in beloved Los Angeles"Winning Time" mashes up the Lakers' home-and-away interconference matchups with the Celtics. The Lakers swept the two regular-season contests, setting the tone for them getting to the NBA Finals from the West while the Celtics fell short in the East.After revving up the Los Angeles-Boston big rivalry to come with over-the-top scenes featuring Bu s and Red Auerbach (Michael Chiklis), "Winning Time" had to find a way to make Bird and the Celtics bigger bad guys.The Lakers and Celtics did face each other twice after Christmas and into the new year. On Dec. 28, 1979, Magic far outplayed Bird as the Lakers won easily in L.A., 123-105.On Jan. 13, 1980, the Lakers did play in Boston with Johnson for the first