Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of cursing in surprisingly bland basketball docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Starting 5
What's the Story?
Co-produced by Lebron James with the help of Peyton Manning and Barack and Michelle Obama, STARTING 5 is a 10-part documentary series that follows five rival NBA basketball players during the 2023-24 season. Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, the Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, and, of course, L.A. Laker LeBron James have cameras following them while they spend time with their friends and family, work out, and play hard on the courts. Interviews with the players reveal some of their private and heartfelt thoughts, and their moms, spouses, and fellow players also share what life is like in their world.
Is It Any Good?
This surprisingly bland series features each of the players live their own lives while working hard to get to the NBA finals. There's no doubt that the Starting 5 players are committed to winning or to being devoted to their loved ones based on what's featured here. In fact, some of the moments are so heartfelt that they feel a bit contrived. But the overall problem with Starting 5 is that it lacks any overall conflict or tension that most sports-themed docuseries rely on to tell a good dramatic story. Instead, it offers remarkably slow-going episodes of the individual players' ups and downs during the season. If you like basketball it might be entertaining enough, but the overall series is pretty flat.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families talk about the NBA. How much do NBA players work and sacrifice to be professional players? What sacrifices do their families make?
Why did Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum agree to be featured on LeBron James' docuseries if they are rivals? For money? Self-marketing? Or maybe they aren't rivals off the court?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 9, 2024
- Cast : LeBron James , Domantas Sabonis , Anthony Edwards , Jimmy Butler , Jayson Tatum
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 4, 2024
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