Netflix's Running Point: A Comedy Series Inspired by the Lakers and NBA

Image credits: Katrina Marcinowski / Netflix

Netflix's latest comedy series, Running Point, is a fictional depiction of a professional basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves, and its new president, Isla Gordon, played by Kate Hudson. The show is inspired by the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA, with the team's president and owner, Jeannie Buss, and the Lakers' executive director of special projects, Lisa Rambis, serving as executive producers and pitching the premise to showrunner Mindy Kaling. The series follows Isla as she takes over the family business and navigates the challenges of running a professional sports team, including dealing with a star player's off-court antics and an overbearing parent.

The show's creators, Ike Barinholtz and Mindy Kaling, are self-proclaimed die-hard NBA fans, particularly of the Chicago Bulls, but they did not aim to create an entirely accurate show about the sport. Instead, they wanted to create a fictional universe where they could present flawed characters without worrying about upsetting actual players. The show is estimated to be 80% focused on the family business and 20% on the court, with storylines inspired by real-life events in the NBA, such as trading a star player and dealing with player drama.

Kate Hudson's character, Isla, is a strong and ambitious woman who is not afraid to take risks and make tough decisions. Hudson has been promoting the show on her press tour, wearing a series of power suits with plunging necklines, which have become a signature part of her character's style. The show also features a talented cast, including Justin Theroux, Drew Tarver, and Scott MacArthur, as Isla's brothers and colleagues. With its unique blend of humor, drama, and sports, Running Point is a must-watch for fans of comedy and basketball alike, and its fictional take on the NBA offers a fresh perspective on the sport.

The show's release has also sparked some controversy, with Pepperdine University suing Netflix for copyright infringement over the use of the name "Waves" for the fictional team. However, the show's creators are confident that their series will resonate with audiences and provide a fun and entertaining take on the world of professional sports. With its comedy genius and talented cast, Running Point is sure to be a hit with viewers, and its inspiration from the Lakers and NBA adds an extra layer of excitement and authenticity to the show.

Some of the notable episodes and storylines in the series include:

• The pilot episode, which introduces Isla as the new president of the Los Angeles Waves
• An episode where Isla must deal with a star player's off-court antics and decide whether to trade him
• A storyline where Isla's brothers and colleagues clash over the direction of the team
• A episode where the team faces off against a rival team and Isla must make a tough decision to ensure their victory