Starting from 5 offered an in-depth look at the lives of five of the NBA’s biggest stars heading into the 2023-24 season. The series focused on LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler and Domantas Sabonis, with each Starting from 5 basketball players representing another NBA team. Starting from 5 the documentary details their journeys, capturing the pressures, intense competition and personal struggles that define their careers.
Several storylines defined the NBA documentary, including LeBron’s quest for more championships, Tatum’s battle to establish his dominance and Butler’s relentless quest to push the Miami Heat further. They played a crucial role in the show’s narrative for the 2023-2024 season. But the 2024/25 season will naturally bring with it new challenges that could lead to different roles and results.
Jimmy Butler
Since release Starting from 5Jimmy Butler has endured a difficult 2024, marked by personal losses and professional challenges. Following his father’s heartbreaking death in February 2024, Butler took time away from court to grieve. He missed three games due to emotional distress, openly stating that basketball was not his priority during this difficult time. His vulnerability allowed for a deeper understanding of the human side of athletes beyond their performance on the court.
As they prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season, the Miami Heat are hoping to bounce back from their early playoff exit. Last season, the Heat finished eighth in the Eastern Conference in the play-in tournament but were eliminated in the first round. Injuries plagued the team throughout the year, affecting Butler’s play and the roster as a whole. Key players, including Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr., spent significant time on the sidelines, complicating their playoff plans.
The Heat’s strategy for the upcoming season revolves around the strengths of Butler and Bam Adebayo. Butler’s two-way prowess remains crucial as he continues to lead the team. The coaching staff, led by Erik Spoelstra, is committed to improving the team’s defensive capabilities while maximizing the potential of its roster. With Butler at the forefront, the Heat are focused on re-establishing themselves as a formidable playoff contender.
Entering this season, Butler is determined to make a significant contribution to the Heat’s success. His leadership and experience will be vital as Miami looks to make a deep postseason run. The team’s goal is clear: to overcome last season’s failures and capitalize on their potential, with Butler playing a key role in their quest for championship glory.
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards entered the 2024-25 NBA season as the undisputed leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves following a decisive playoff run. Edwards led the Timberwolves to a surprise first-round win over the Phoenix Suns, where he dominated with 40 points and key moments, including a highlight dunk over Kevin Durant. His strong play continued into the semifinals, where he led the Wolves to a Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets, defeating three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Edwards’ star power has cemented his place as one of the NBA’s top young talents.
After leaving Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade with the New York Knicks, Minnesota built its roster around Edwards. The additions of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo provided much-needed support for the rising star, allowing him to focus on his offensive and defensive impact. The Timberwolves also added rookie Rob Dillingham, who has scoring potential off the bench, giving Edwards some extra help as the team looks to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Edwards’ performance continued to rise in the 2024–25 season. After averaging 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the 2023-24 playoffs, Edwards built on his success with a strong showing this season. The Timberwolves, under Edwards, were looking for another competitive push into the postseason, with Edwards establishing himself as one of the league’s best two-way players. His elite isolation performance and defensive prowess have made him an important player to the Timberwolves’ continued success.
Now 23, Edwards is seen as the future face of the league. His unique combination of athleticism, confidence and leadership makes him one of the best stars in the NBA. With the Timberwolves centering their roster around Edwards, they are looking to compete for a championship, hoping Edwards can lead them to the finals after an impressive playoff performance the previous season.
LeBron James
LeBron James is in his 22nd season in the NBA, tying Vince Carter for the longest career in league history. Despite turning 40 this December, James remains one of the top 10 players in the world. This season will be special as he plans to share the court with his son Bronny James, the Lakers’ second-round pick. LeBron’s career accomplishments include multiple championships, MVP awards and an all-time scoring record, but his focus now shifts to having a unique playing experience with his son.
Going into the 2024-25 season, LeBron’s motivation comes from his undying love for the game and the opportunity to play with Bronny. He said this season is about appreciating the moment, balancing competitive drive with the joy of sharing the court with his son. As the Lakers chase a record 18th NBA title, LeBron is determined to help the team succeed while taking advantage of the rare chance to play alongside his family.
Connected
He will enter the 2024-25 NBA season on a new two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $104 million. The deal includes a player option and a no-trade clause, giving James flexibility in his future decisions. He gave up the final year of his previous contract to take the new deal, which is less than what he would have received on a three-year deal. By signing this extension, James is looking to solidify his position with the Lakers while maintaining the option of becoming a free agent next summer.
Off-site, LeBron continues to expand his ventures, recently collaborating with Hennessy to create a custom cognac bottle. The collaboration resulted in a portrait of LeBron and a new red and white design for the iconic Hennessy label. As the season progresses, LeBron remains focused on both his personal accomplishments and helping the Lakers remain competitive while enjoying his time on the court with Bronny and his teammates.
Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis played a key role in breaking the Sacramento Kings’ 16-year playoff drought, the longest in NBA history. Heading into the 2024-25 season, Sabonis remains the team’s leader, as shown in the documentary *Starting 5*, which follows the Kings throughout the 2023-24 season. The documentary gave Sabonis the opportunity to showcase Sacramento’s resurgence on the national stage, which excites him since the Kings typically receive little national television coverage. His leadership skills have become stronger, and with another year under his belt, Sabonis looks to continue his critical role in Sacramento’s success.
In addition to Sabonis’ established leadership, the Kings added veteran DeMar DeRozan to the roster for the 2024-25 season. DeRozan’s experience and leadership will complement Sabonis, but Sacramento will still rely heavily on Sabonis to shoulder some of the leadership burden. Sabonis’ balanced game, with an emphasis on playmaking and rebounding, will be vital as the Kings look to build on their playoff run and compete deeper in the postseason. As a key player for the Kings, Sabonis has proven he can handle that responsibility effectively.
Ahead of the 2024–25 season, Kings head coach Mike Brown encouraged Sabonis to expand his game by shooting more three-pointers. While Sabonis is primarily known for his play in the post and as a coordinator, adding consistent outside shooting could improve his offensive versatility. This adjustment, combined with his leadership and the addition of DeRozan, could push the Kings closer to their ultimate goals this season. Sabonis’ ability to adapt and grow will be key to Sacramento’s success in a changing NBA environment.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum remains the key to the Boston Celtics’ success in the 2024-25 NBA season. Following the 2024 NBA Championship, Tatum signed a record five-year contract extension worth $314 million, securing his future with the team. As the Celtics’ primary offensive engine, Tatum continues to play a key role on both ends of the floor. He averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists during the 2024 season and ranked in the top 10 in defensive win shares, offensive win shares and total win shares in the league.
Tatum’s playoff performance in 2024 cemented him as one of the league’s top stars. He surpassed Kobe Bryant’s playoff points record before he was 27 years old and played a critical role in Boston’s championship. Notable highlights included 31 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in Game 5 to win the title and 36 points in the Conference Finals. Despite criticism of his shooting efficiency, Tatum’s ability to serve as a playmaker, rebounder and defender highlighted his well-rounded game.
As the 2024-25 season progresses, Tatum’s leadership will be critical to the Celtics’ title defense. His improved jump shot and offseason improvements are expected to improve his offensive efficiency. With key players like Kristaps Porzingis gone, Tatum’s role as a rebounder will also become more prominent. Given his continued dominance on both sides of the ball, a top-five finish in MVP voting appears possible as Boston looks to repeat last season’s success.