If Netflix Was Smart, This Grouping Should Be The Selections For Season 3 Of Their "Starting 5" Docuseries
Assuming it got the green light (why wouldn't it?) right around this part of the NBA offseason is when we learn about the next wave of stars that Netflix will be following for the upcoming season for their next season of Starting 5. I know this isn't very surprising, but in my opinion it's one of the best sports documentary/series we have going, and between the cast/footage from season 1 which we got to see Jayson Tatum win his title, Season 2 is surely going to be just as awesome now that they captured SGA winning a Larry of his own
As a reminder, Season 2 which is coming our way in a few months, follows Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Kevin Durant, SGA, and Jaylen Brown through the 2024-25 NBA season. Given what we now know, I don't know how Season 2 could possibly stink. The storylines, the fact that Netflix is now 2 for 2 when it comes to following the eventual champion who completed one of the most dominant individual seasons in NBA history, everything with KD and his trade/drama in PHX, Haliburton's magical run, it's all going to be incredible.
This then got me thinking, what should the group be for Season 3? Let's just assume everyone would sign on to do it if they were asked for the sake of this exercise. It may be a pipe dream, but this would be my group
Jalen Brunson
Nikola Jokic
Jalen Williams
Steph Curry
Luka Doncic
Allow me to give my reasoning for each
Jalen Brunson
Everyone is predicting 2025-26 will finally be the year where the Knicks break through and make the NBA Finals, and given that they fired Thibs after the prayer ECF run, that has to be the bare minimum for this year's Knicks as a team. Why not follow their best player as the Knicks try and make that leap into being an actual contender and not just an on-paper contender? He's an All NBA talent, he's nails in the postseason, and if the Knicks do go on that type of run, then I feel pretty confident that Jalen Brunson would play a massive role in it. Plus all the big market stuff, that feels like the perfect choice of a player who could "break out", sort of like the Haliburton choice for Season 2 following the Pacers' ECF run in 2024.
Nikola Jokic
I know this might not seem like a great choice because Jokic doesn't really give a shit about media and docuseries and all that, but I couldn't disagree more. He's the best player on the planet, and his team is largely considered a title favorite. This is the best supporting cast the Nuggets have had since their title year in 2023, and you also add in the fact that all signs point to 2025-26 being another MVP caliber season for Jokic. Both his season and the Nuggets in general are worth following along, and given how this series tends to follow the eventual champs, the Nuggets should absolutely be considered as that team.
Jalen Williams
Similar to the Jaylen Brown selection in 2024-25. Since they just did SGA, you obviously can't double up, and I do think the cameras should be following the defending Champs while they embark on their journey back up the NBA mountain. They're looking to become the first back-to-back champion since the KD Warriors and the first two-time champion of the decade, not to mention Jalen Williams exploded onto the scene during their title run, again, not too different from Jaylen Brown in 2024. Add in all the new pressure that comes with being the defending Champ AND someone who is now playing on a max contract extension, this feels like a no brainer selection.
Steph Curry
Every season needs a legend. Year 1 had LeBron, Year 2 had KD and Harden, so Year 3 should clearly include Steph Curry. For starters, we have no idea how much longer he's going to be around, so the more footage we have of his final NBA seasons the better in my opinion. Not only that, but with GS having a full year of Jimmy Butler and most likely proven winners like Al Horford joining this season, the expectation for the Warriors is to win, and win NOW. I like having a team with that sort of pressure. People forget, this team was pretty damn good once they traded for Jimmy, and if not for a Steph pulled hammy in the playoffs, who knows how far they could have made it?
Luka Doncic
This one feels pretty self explanatory. Nobody has had their dick sucked this summer quite like Luka Doncic. Part of that is standard operating procedure now that he's a Laker, but with all the hype around how skinny Luka is and how this is going to unleash a version we've never seen before that will take the Lakers from a 1st round exit to a champion, he has to be included. I could argue that few players in the entire league enter this season with more pressure than Luka to finally deliver. You look around the perennial 1st team All NBA level players, and they all have their ring. Giannis, Jokic, Tatum, and SGA are all Champions, with Tatum/SGA doing it around the age that Luka is now entering. At some point, you have to deliver. This is now Luka's age 26-27 season. He's been to a Finals (and lost).
So that's my list. Of those 5 guys, Jokic feels like the biggest stretch given his personality, but it wouldn't surprise me if the rest or at least a couple of those guys get the nod. It's a good mix of contenders, defending champs, young era superstars, and an older generation living legend.
Disagree? Let's hear your 5 in the comments.