The 10-part series, "Starting 5," closely follows the lives and journeys of five NBA stars: LeBron James of the Lakers, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, throughout the 2023-24 season. Offering viewers unprecedented access to their personal and professional lives, the series reveals intimate moments that extend beyond the basketball court.
Among the five players, Anthony Edwards, the youngest, provides some of the most candid moments, particularly when discussing Minnesota's unexpected loss to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals, which the Timberwolves lost in five games. Edwards openly admits that the team underestimated Dallas, a mistake that cost them dearly. In a striking display of self-reflection, Edwards also acknowledges that his pre-series comments about defending Kyrie Irving were ill-advised. He confesses he wasn’t in peak physical condition during the series and that his diet needed improvement, showing a willingness to grow both mentally and physically as a player.
The show also has its lighter moments, like when LeBron James humorously addresses the long-standing joke on social media about his tendency to exaggerate or embellish stories. LeBron's willingness to poke fun at himself adds a touch of relatability, while retired NBA legend Kevin Garnett's lively commentary throughout the series adds another layer of humor and insight.
However, "Starting 5" truly shines when it takes viewers into the players' personal lives, offering a rare glimpse of their family dynamics. Although many players occasionally share snippets of their family life on social media, the series brings these moments to the forefront, presenting them in a deeply personal and emotional context.
One of the most poignant segments of the series features LeBron James and his wife, Savannah, as they discuss their son Bronny’s health scare in July 2023, when he suffered a cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect. While public statements had been made about Bronny's condition, hearing Savannah speak about her emotional journey during this terrifying time brings a new level of depth and vulnerability. All three of the James children make appearances in the series, offering further insights into the close-knit nature of the family.
Similarly, Jimmy Butler opens up about his personal grief. While it was previously known that Butler had taken a leave of absence in February for personal reasons, the series reveals that Butler’s father, Jimmy Butler Jr., had been seriously ill and living with him in Miami before he passed away. This emotional revelation shows a more private side of Butler, known for his intensity on the court, as he navigates loss while balancing the demands of his career.
"Starting 5" transcends being just a basketball documentary. It's a powerful story of resilience, family, and the personal challenges these athletes confront off the court. If you are a football fan, you will definitely enjoy watching this docuseries about the players and sharing their lives with their families. For non-football lovers too, the docuseries is good to watch.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times