Netflix’s “Starting 5” Gives Inside Look into The Lives of Some of the NBA’s Most Prominent Players as They Explore Their On and Off Court Challenges and Triumphs
Last week Netflix released its new ten-episode docuseries, following a handful of NBA stars speaking on their behind-the-scenes successes and struggles on and off the court during the 2023-24 season. The docuseries comes just as a new NBA season is gearing to ramp up, and it illuminates the realities that many of the league’s greatest stars face, while highlighting their perspectives as regular people dealing with their own regular people everyday trials like fatherhood and juggling home/work life balance.
Per the title, “Starting 5” dives into the perspectives of five of the league’s most prominent players, including LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, and Domantas Sabonis. The series features sit-down interviews and exclusive on-court mic’d up appearances from each of the players, demonstrating various aspects of their home and family lives and their mastery over the sport.
For LeBron, much of “Starting 5” traces his 21-year legacy as the face of the NBA, and how it feels to be an aging superstar in the league – even though he feels like he has a lot more left in him than people think. For Anthony Edwards, the youngest player included in the series at just 22 years old, his story tracks the massive heights he’s already reached so early in his career, as well as his commitment to maintaining this superstar momentum through healthy eating habits and taking care of his body – which isn’t always easy for him. Jimmy Butler’s segment focuses on the importance of holding on to the joy of the sport, and making sure that he doesn’t lose sight of the reason he started playing basketball. Jayson Tatum’s primary goal is bringing a championship to Boston, and Sabonis reckons with feelings of being overlooked due to being excluded from the 2024 All-Star team.
Though each of these players have their own battles, one common theme that unites them is the dedication and endless support for and from their families. LeBron and Tatum’s goofy Dad moments shine through, painting a picture of the reality of being a father as an NBA superstar, and how weeks on the road away from home doesn’t stop them from being superstar parents too. Interviews with Sabonis’ wife highlight how hard it can be having a partner in the league, and Jimmy Butler grapples with the weight of playing through and dealing with his grief in the public eye after the devastating loss of his father. The series also explores the birth of Edwards’ daughter during the height of last year’s season, and the network of family he has in his corner. The importance of family is the heart of “Starting 5,” and proves to be one of the driving forces of the NBA.
The 2024-25 NBA regular season begins next week on October 22nd – checkout “Starting 5” in the meantime.
