‘Starting 5’ Trailer: LeBron James and Jimmy Butler Get the ‘Quarterback’ Treatment in Netflix’s Latest Sports Doc

Christian Zilko
·2 min read
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NBA stars have been omnipresent this offseason thanks to the incredible Olympics performance of the United States mens’ basketball team and Steph Curry’s sitcom debut in “Mr. Throwback.” But even if NBA fans didn’t have much of a chance to miss their favorite players, it’s hard to imagine anyone will complain about yet another chance to see some of the game’s biggest names in the final month before regular season play begins.

Netflix has unveiled the trailer for “Starting 5” a new 10-episode documentary that follows five of the league’s biggest stars — LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics — over the course of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

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Per an official synopsis, “The series captures their battles on and off the court as they chase greatness, push through injuries, and balance the demands of family and legacy. James pushes himself harder than ever to stay healthy — and dominant — in his 21st season, while Edwards electrifies with his rapid rise. Butler’s relentless drive propels the Heat, Sabonis anchors the Kings with his versatile play, and Tatum leads the Celtics in their quest for a record 18th championship. ‘Starting 5’ delivers an unfiltered view of life at the pinnacle of professional basketball.”

The series will attempt to recreate the blend of sports and human interest content that powered Netflix’s recent NFL documentaries. “Quarterback” debuted in 2023, following Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota as they balanced grueling training, strategic game planning, and family life over the course of the 2022 NFL season. This summer’s “Receiver” repeated the formula, putting elite wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, George Kittle, Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, and Deebo Samuel in the spotlight.

“Starting 5” hails from Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, which also produced “Quarterback” and “Receiver” for Netflix. Manning won’t be the only big name from outside the entertainment industry in the credits, as vocal NBA fan and former President Barack Obama is also producing the show alongside Michelle Obama through their Higher Ground Productions label.

“Starting 5” begins streaming on Netflix on Friday, October 9. Watch the trailer below.

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