As a seasoned gamer and sports enthusiast with a soft spot for documentaries, I can confidently say that “Starting 5” has hit it out of the park (or should I say court?). The series offers an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of NBA superstars, delving deep into their personal struggles and triumphs, making it a must-watch for any sports fan.
Stepping onto the bustling sidewalk outside Hollywood’s iconic Egyptian Theatre for the grand debut of Netflix’s “Starting 5”, I was hailed as a “world champion” by an announcer’s booming voice, punctuating the rhythmic beats filling the air. The atmosphere was electric, with both an announcer and a DJ setting the tone for this high-octane event on September 23rd. Instead of a traditional red carpet, there was a hardcourt, while rows of basketballs served as a unique backdrop, immersing us all in the spirit of the game.
What a thrill it was for me to experience such an incredible moment,” I shared with The Hollywood Reporter shortly after being introduced to the crowd so triumphantly, thanks to my Boston Celtics clinching the NBA championship last season. This victory was then followed by a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. It’s almost unbelievable what we managed to achieve, something that seemed nearly impossible, but we put in the hard work and made it happen. I couldn’t be happier about it.
The creators of Starting 5, along with Netflix, are clearly excited that one of its cast members accomplished something remarkable during the initial run of this 10-episode sports documentary series, which commenced streaming on Wednesday. It provides exclusive, insider glimpses into the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, as told by five prominent players such as Tatum, LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings.
The show’s credits are equally impressive, as it comes from James and Maverick Carter’s Uninterrupted in collaboration with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions and Omaha Productions. Carter serves as executive producer alongside Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron, and Randy Mims from the company, while Vinnie Malhotra, Ethan Lewis, Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, and Sam Pepper do so for Higher Ground and Omaha respectively.
The five-person lineup, or Starting 5, is similar to other popular sports series on Netflix such as Quarterback, Receiver, Beckham, Formula 1: Drive to Survive and more. According to Tatum, the success of these shows prompted him to join in. “The NFL docuseries Quarterback was the first, and it did incredibly well,” he shared. “I spoke with those involved in the production, and they mentioned that filming wasn’t too demanding, which is why I decided to participate.
Additionally, he shared that during preliminary discussions with producers, they presented the choice of postponing until a potential second season. However, he chose to listen to his instincts. “When I was chatting with the folks from Omaha last year, they suggested, ‘You could go this year or hold off for season two.’ But I wanted to be part of season one. I had a strong hunch that we were going to take it all.
showrunner Peter J. Scalettar continued to express gratitude for the turn of events as they managed to record the title-winning streak on film. “It couldn’t have been written more perfectly,” he shared with THR, “it was nothing short of brilliant.
However, given that everyone is aware of the outcome of the previous season, Scalettar emphasized that Starting 5 presents unexpected delights for NBA enthusiasts and others alike, as the series unveils much more than mere scores and behind-the-scenes locker room action.
From the start, we recognized that simply focusing on who will emerge victorious wouldn’t be enough, as viewers would already know the outcome by the time the show airs. Instead, we aimed to offer something fresh and enlightening. What we wanted to explore was how these players manage their personal lives. This includes aspects like life and death, and a profound exploration of fatherhood that feels uniquely novel and distinct.
Capturing iconic athletes amidst the relentless NBA schedule presented difficulties for Scalettar and his team. “Their season is their top priority, so it was about finding a balance between our filming and not disrupting their focus,” he noted. Additionally, there could be instances when an athlete had an off day and didn’t wish to be filmed. The question then became: How can we narrate their story without becoming a hindrance ourselves?
Occasionally, Scalettar found himself in a position where he had to observe quietly or rely on the trust established during filming. As he put it, “You instinctively know when to step aside.” He added that this was an extraordinary situation for him because these individuals were his idols. He would ponder, am I here as a fan or as part of the team? However, he eventually realized that we’re all just people in the end, and that’s what the show is about. Relatability is crucial, and I believe we managed to achieve it. It was truly magical.
If the first season of Magic show manages to make its way onto Netflix’s Top 10 list, could there potentially be a second season? Scalettar posits this idea: “Given that people are already impressed by LeBron doing it, who might eagerly vie for a spot in season two?
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Starting 5 is now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-10-09 18:55