WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Starting 5.
Netflix’s new docuseriesStarting 5suggests that the new face of the NBA has arrived.Starting 5offers an extensivedeep dive into the 2023-24 NBA season through the exclusive lenses of five elite players. Directed by Peter J. Scalettar (Supreme Team) and produced by Peyton Manning (Quarterback) and Barack and Michelle Obama (Leave the World Behind),Starting 5takes a behind-the-scenes look at the off-the-court lives offive of the NBA’s biggest stars.Starting 5follows Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Starting 5also includes never-before-seen footageof these five NBA talents during the regular season and playoffs, including previously unreleased audio and in-game commentary between players, coaches, and other NBA personnel. Thebiggest reveals inStarting 5piece together some of the common themes between these five NBA superstars, such as their personal battles with injury, legacy, and fame, as well as their roles as fathers, partners, and public figures.Starting 5has a great soundtrackand releases just one day after the start of the 2024-2025 NBA Preseason,chronicling the entire 2023-2024 season up to the Boston Celtics' NBA Finals victoryin June 2024.
Starting 5 Shows Why Anthony Edwards Will Be The Next Face Of The NBA
His confidence and athleticism rival Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan
Starting 5showcases how Anthony Edwards has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA. At just 23 years old,Edwards has already drawn early comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordanfor his incredible athleticism and competitive nature. Edwards helped lead the Minnesota Timberwolves, who drafted him with the number 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, to the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. He has also led the Timberwolves to the playoffs in the last three seasons. Edwards is already a 2-time All-Star and is expected to only get better throughout the 2020s.
2023-24
79
35.1
25.9
46.1
35.7
83.6
5.4
5.1
1.3
0.5
75.5
34.3
22.9
44.6
35.3
79.3
5.2
4.1
1.4
0.6
NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett gave a special shoutout to Anthony Edwardsat the end of the Netflix docuseries, saying that he could very well become the new face of the NBA once LeBron James inevitably retires. Edwards signed a 5-year, $245 million contract extension with the Timberwolves in July 2023, earning him an average annual salary of $49 million and making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the NBA. He led the Timberwolves to an improbable Western Conference Finals run, defeating Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets in an instant classic Game 7 during the second round only to fall short to Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks.
Anthony Edwards Needs One Thing To Truly Become The New Face Of The NBA
Nothing silences the noise quite like an NBA Championship
AsStarting 5displays, Edwards could still be quite far from his NBA prime. Edwards even mentions this in the Netflix docuseries, indicating that he’s well aware of his superstar status as arguably the youngest player with the highest ceiling currently in the NBA. He claims that when it comes to basketball, he wants “all the smoke” in the NBA, a confidence that replicates the great Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Michael Jordan.Many former and current NBA players would agree that Edwards has that “It” factor. All that he truly needs to ascend to the ranks of NBA royalty is an NBA Championship, or two.
LeBron James' Net Worth Explained
Forbes claims in Starting 5 that LeBron James' net worth is more than $1.2 billion, making him the fifth wealthiest athlete in history.
As Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics demonstrated inStaring 5, there is certainlynothing that silences online haters and media doubters better than winning an NBA Title. Fortunately for Edwards, his situation is somewhat opposite from Tatum’s who had to prove that he was even capable of bringing home Banner 18 in Tittletown, while Edwards already has received universal praise. The difference maker with Edwards is his bulletproof mentality, along with his incredible athleticism. He is undoubtedly one of the most confident players in the NBA, and rightfully so. His seemingly invincible mindset is poised to take him to great heights in the NBA, but he’ll need to lock in at least one championship for that conversation to really start.
Who Are The Other New Faces Of The NBA?
Dončić, Wembanyama, and Morant are some of the NBA’s youngest stars
With their 2024 NBA Championship, Tatum and NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown are two of the biggest stars of a new generation. Edwards is also right there next to them in that elite category, as well as 25-year-oldLuka Dončić, whose first NBA Finals appearance in 2024 will almost certainly not be his last. 2023’s number 1 pick Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs still has a long way to go after his rookie season, but the 20-year-old has the potential to become a generational talent.
23-year-old Zion Williamson still has a ways to go after being advertised as the next LeBron James and being selected as the number 1 overall pick in 2019. The same goes for 2021’s number 1 pick Cade Cunningham.Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzles delivers a similar high-flying energy as Edwardsif he can stay on track, while Tyrese Habilburton and Tyrese Maxey are two of the most productive NBA players under the age of 25 as well.Starting 5gives a preview of the NBA career of LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., who will be heavily documented as an inevitable player of interest because of his father’s legacy.
What Happened To Bronny James
Netflix’s Starting 5 explores many details of the 2023/24 season, including what happened to LeBron James' son, Bronny, following his cardiac arrest.
Starting 5
Cast
NBA superstars LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Domantas Sabonis, and Anthony Edwards give fans an intimate look at their lives on and off the court. The docuseries follows their 2023-2024 season, capturing not just the intense games but also personal moments with family, showing the balance between professional demands and personal commitments.
