The letter stated: “Jerry West was an integral part of the Lakers and NBA’s success. It is a travesty that HBO has knowingly demeaned him for shock value and the pursuit of ratings. As an act of common decency, HBO and the producers owe Jerry a public apology and at the very least should retract their baseless and defamatory portrayal of him.”
West lawyers allege that the show’s portrayal of Mr. West as an out-of-control, intoxicated rage-aholic,” saying that “bears no resemblance to the real man.” The letter also states that most of the scenes in the show showing West acting out of control did not appear in Pearlman’s book and did not happen.
“Instead of exploring his issues with compassion as a way to better understand the man, they turn him into a Wile E. Coyote cartoon to be laughed at,” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said in a statement. “He never broke golf clubs, he didn’t throw his trophy through the window. Sure, those actions make dramatic moments, but they reek of facile exploitation of the man rather than exploration of character.”
West lawyers are asking for a retraction no later than two weeks from the receipt of the letter.