In the image of lifestyle sports documentaries like Quarterback, Receiver or Sprint, Netflix presents the everyday lives of five National Basketball Association (NBA) stars: Lebron James, Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis, Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler, it released Wednesday, Oct. 9.
The Starting 5 is produced by James’s media production company, Uninterrupted as well as Barack and Michelle Obama, Vinnie Malhotra, and Ethan Lewis (through Higher Ground); and Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz and Sam Pepper (through Omaha). The first season is set during the 2023–24 NBA season and consists of 10 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes long.
The first episode shows James struggling with playing time. He would like to play more, but the coaches do not agree, as he’s in his 21st season at the professional (pro) level. The coaching staff wants to ease up on the workload and offer minutes to younger players. James responds by saying he’s the “most in shape person out there,” backed by reports that estimate James spends around $1.5 million yearly on his body.
Jayson Tatum, a forward for the Boston Celtics, starts off by questioning his own legacy. He’s won everything except a championship, and Tatum feels like that's the only thing missing, so he can be considered an all-time great. The Missouri native shows the audience how he balances his season, being a father to his son, Deuce, and the work put into reaching his end-season goal, an NBA championship.
Anthony Edwards is a guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, first appearing in the second episode. He details what it's like being a young star in the league and being new to fatherhood. The work-life balance is complicated, but it’s something Edwards adjusted to quickly and now feels like it's the natural order of things.
Domantas Sabonis, the center for the Sacramento Kings, explains how being a star in a small market is really hard. The Oregon native feels like the accolades are not the same for the same amount of work. He was not selected to the all-star game, which affected him.
Jimmy Butler, a forward for the Miami Heat, is a well-known player with a couple of accolades and two NBA finals appearances. He had a secret personal life up until now, but this show explores behind the scenes fatherhood, personal feelings and country music. Butler works on a country music project in the fifth episode.
This documentary details how sports media covers small markets differently. A city or area has a lower population density and a smaller TV market size than larger markets and are referred to as a small market. The sports talk shows don’t often showcase or discuss their seasons, which is something Sabonis felt during the all-star deliberation, Sabonis plays great, but the fanbase is so small that the rest of America is not interested.
The Starting 5 also went in depth of what it takes to be an NBA player such as the sacrifices, the work, the consistency and supporting cast as well as genetics—NBA players must be particularly tall.
This was the first season and is rumored to be renewed for fall 2025 with Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
I'll rate it a three out of five, i enjoyed seeing players in their natural environment, interacting with their families. However, some episodes showcased everything but basketball, basketball should get more screen time next season.