Jayson Tatum’s decision to join Netflix’s Starting 5 docuseries might have seemed like a simple career move, but the real story behind his choice makes it far more heartwarming. Initially, Tatum was offered the chance to headline a future season, but the Boston Celtics star had other plans. His unwavering belief in his team and the 2023-2024 NBA season’s potential made him eager to be part of the first edition. The result was a championship win, captured in raw, emotional detail,
turning Starting 5 into an inspiring tale of faith and triumph.
The docuseries, featuring Tatum alongside four other NBA giants like LeBron James and Jimmy Butler, offers more than just a peek behind the curtain of an NBA season— Starting 5 delivers some deeply personal reveals about their struggles. For Tatum, the decision wasn’t just about sharing the limelight with some of the league’s biggest names, but about documenting a lifelong dream coming true. His gamble paid off, making Starting 5 not just a story of basketball, but of dreams, determination, and the euphoria of achieving greatness.
Jayson Tatum Was Originally Advised To Be On A Later Season Of Netflix’s Starting 5
The Suggestion Was For Him Not To Share The Spotlight With Lebron James
Jayson Tatum was originally advised to wait for a later season of Netflix’s Starting 5 to avoid being overshadowed by LeBron James, whose own story and potential retirement was a major part of the show. When approached about the docuseries, the suggestion was that Tatum could headline season 2 instead of sharing the spotlight with James, a global NBA icon. Despite the tempting offer to take center stage later, Tatum had no interest in delaying his participation.
Fresh off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance and boosted by offseason acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, Tatum believed the Celtics were championship-ready. He saw the Netflix’s docuseries as the perfect platform to capture what he believed would be a historic season. “I think we’re gonna win a championship,” Tatum told the production team – and his prediction proved true when the Celtics claimed the 2024 NBA title.
He saw the Netflix’s docuseries as the perfect platform to capture what he believed would be a historic season.
Tatum’s decision to join season 1 paid off in an emotional, triumphant way. Netflix’s cameras captured intimate moments, including Tatum’s celebration with his son Deuce after the championship victory. Reliving those moments by watching episode 10 of Starting 5, Tatum described feeling “emotional in a good way” as he saw the behind-the-scenes footage of his lifelong dream coming true. Ultimately, his faith in the Celtics turned the docuseries into a heartwarming testament to his journey and his team’s success.
