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Starting Five: Bigger than Basketball | Sabina Pedido 

Five of the NBA's biggest stars leave it all on the court as they invite viewers behind the scenes of their life in Netflix’s new docuseries: Starting Five. Starring LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics,  the show provides an in-depth look as they balance family commitment, adversity, and their shared ambition to win the NBA Championship during the 2023-2024 season. 

However, what truly shines through this series is not the number of points and wins achieved but the hurdles they fought through and the company they kept throughout their journey. 

Photo Courtesy to Netflix 

Despite being centered on basketball, the series emphasizes the significance of life beyond the court. Specifically, it focuses on the importance of injury prevention and proper body rest. LeBron James, now entering his 21st season, has defied expectations with his ability to perform highly this late into his career. James owes much of his success to his discipline towards his post and pre workout routines along with his willingness to invest in his body. 

“We do cryotherapy, cold tub, hot tub, red light, [and] hyperbaric chambers,” James said in an interview.

While many of these methods may seem unconventional, the time he dedicates to caring for his body is highly important for him and his family. Savannah James, LeBron’s wife, is focused on his future. 

“The recovery and the treatment sessions, it’s really important to me,” Savannah James said in an interview. “My wish for him is to come out of it the same way he came in so he can enjoy his life post-career.” 

The James couple has consistently emphasized their health, future, and family. Even more so when their beloved son Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest during his USC basketball practice. The series invites viewers to the more intimate and private scenes of superstar LeBron as he opens up about Bronny’s near death experience.  Witnessing his son’s struggles, LeBron’s gratitude and pride for his family deepened when Bronny made his collegiate debut against Long Beach State. 

“For me, the best play of the whole game is when the game ended, and he walked off on his own, in his own power,” LeBron said in an interview. 

The familial pride and themes of fatherhood shown by LeBron were present in every part of the lives of each five players. With Tatum overcoming the Lakers during Christmas Day once his son Deuce appeared to Sabonis upholding his family legacy. All the way to the end of stories with Jimmy Butler’s father and Anthony Edwards's new beginning as a dad. 

The docuseries, with their glimpses into the lives of these five stars as they trek through fatherhood, shows the importance of nurturing other aspects of life. Because while the stardom of basketball may feel everlasting, the legacy the Starting Five leave behind lies within their children and the memories they make with them using the body they’ve protected.

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