Five new NBA stars will be under a microscope this season. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Netflix has chosen the players who will appear in the second season of their recently released “Starting 5” docuseries.
Kevin Durant, James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Haliburton make up the new cast of characters. Similarly to season one, the series has opted for a balance of superstar veterans and emerging youngsters.
NBA “Starting 5” Cast
The first season is currently available on Netflix and features 10 episodes. LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis were each followed in the inaugural season. Between James winning the first-ever NBA Cup, Edwards vaulting up the league ranks, and Tatum winning his first-ever NBA champions, there was no lack of storylines with that group. It could be hard for the producers to top in Season 2!
Following Kevin Durant and Shai Gilgerous-Alexander, in particular, should be fascinating. Not only have both avoided the limelight at times, but their two Western Conference teams have a chance to make some legitimate noise. Gilgeous-Alexander is fresh off a first-place finish in 2023-24, and OKC is viewed as a conference finals favorite. As for Durant, the Suns brought in a new offensive-minded coach in Mike Budenholzer and possess a nucleus with as much upside as any in the league.
James Harden may have a harder time finding success this year, especially with Kawhi Leonard beginning the season on the injury report. However, this could make the behind-the-scenes content from this season all the more interesting. How will Harden lead this new-look Clippers squad to success? Can he?
The Eastern Conference will be represented by both Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Haliburton. Of course, Brown is fresh off an NBA Finals MVP performance. He and Jayson Tatum will try to work together to defend the Celtics’ title and become the first back-to-back champions since the Gold State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton is hoping to continue his climb up the East standings. The Indiana Pacers shocked the world last year with a conference finals appearance. Haliburton remains their driving force, as he’s quickly become one of the league’s elite distributors and playmakers.
We’re still waiting for Netflix to confirm the cast, but this sure sounds like a perfect group for Season 2!