Why did LA Lakers get rid of Spencer Haywood? All you need to know
Spencer Haywood, who only played one season with the LA Lakers, was portrayed in the sports TV series "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty". It was revealed on the show how Haywood got kicked off the Lakers. Apparently, the NBA legend had a serious drug problem, which led to his inevitable departure before the 1980 NBA Finals even concluded.
According to Silver Screen and Roll, Spencer Haywood is no longer drowning in his substance addiction. Despite how bad his situation was in the past, Haywood was comfortable with his habits being portrayed on screen.
Wood Harris, the actor who played Spencer, wasn't too keen on the idea, but the basketball legend gave the actor a thumbs up when they interacted. Haywood said:
"Wood and I talked, and he was a little sensitive about (the episodes) because everybody wants to protect me, but I said, ‘Whatever you have in documentation, go for it.’ I would say 95 percent of (his portrayal) was true. I’m a little disappointed with (how they captured) Jerry. But some real stuff went on that season.”
Surprisingly, Haywood is thankful for "Winning Time" for showing how the events of his dark days took place.
For him, the show has become a platform of release, something he hasn't had in the past. It gave him the opportunity to help other struggling individuals and openly discuss his hardships in life.
“I love the attention,” Haywood said. “Because of my suffering for all of these years with PTSD, and now I feel so relieved in a way. And now all of this stuff is coming around again, and I’m going on health shows, and I’m talking about my true feelings that I couldn’t even get out for a while. This platform has given me a chance to let it all out, and I feel freedom, so I’m thanking ‘Winning Time.’ ”
Looking back at Spencer Haywood's career
Before entering the dark realm of substance abuse, Spencer Haywood was a superstar in the NBA. During his first five years in the league, Haywood played for the Seattle SuperSonics. His time with the squad came at the peak of his career. Haywood became a four-time NBA All-Star, averaging 24.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in Seattle.
After departing from the SuperSonics, Haywood never made an All-Star game, but that didn't mean he was no longer a solid player. He played three and a half seasons with the New York Knicks, where he averaged 17.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.
Haywood was then traded midway through the 1978-79 season to the New Orleans Jazz. Despite his short stint with the team, he made an impact, averaging 24.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 blocks in just 34 games. The next season, after he teamed up with the LA Lakers, his career started spiralling downhill.
From 1979-1983, Spencer Haywood became a shell of his former self before retiring at the relatively young age of 33.