The second season of the hit Netflix docuseries “Starting 5” has dropped, and fans are buzzing about the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes access to some of the NBA’s biggest stars. Following Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Jaylen Brown, the series reveals the raw emotions and untold stories behind the season’s most dramatic moments.
- A Decade of Hurt: James Harden and Kevin Durant reveal they are still haunted by the 2012 trade that split up the young Oklahoma City Thunder core, with Harden admitting he was “mad as hell.”
- Haliburton’s Dark Place: Before his triumphant run to the Finals, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton reveals he was in such a “dark time” mentally that he considered stepping away from the team.
- Mentor and MVP: The series showcases the deep bond between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his mentor Chris Paul, who was a constant source of support during the Thunder’s title run.
- Tragic Finale: Viewers are taken into the locker room for the raw, heartbreaking aftermath of Haliburton’s torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
The Trade That Still Haunts Durant and Harden
More than a decade later, the wounds from the 2012 trade that sent James Harden from the Thunder to the Rockets are still fresh. Both Harden and former teammate Kevin Durant opened up about the painful split. Harden explained the failed contract negotiation “wasn’t about no real money” and that the news left him devastated.
“Overall, I was mad as hell, too,” Harden confessed. “These are my dawgs… we’re gonna win a championship next year… I was hurt. It was sad, for real.”
Durant echoed the sentiment, expressing anger at how other players celebrated the breakup of their dominant young team. “I was like, ‘Shut the f— up. Y’all just was f—ing scared. Y’all knew we was on the way,” Durant said.
Haliburton’s Battle On and Off the Court
A Crisis of Confidence
Tyrese Haliburton’s journey to the NBA Finals was nearly derailed by a severe crisis of confidence. Early in the season, the Pacers guard struggled so intensely that he questioned his place on the team.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever felt as negative about myself as I did in November and December,” Haliburton admitted. “It got to the point where I was like, ‘Should I kind of step away for a little bit just for our group?'”
A Heartbreaking Finale
The series culminates in the dramatic Game 7 of the NBA Finals, where Haliburton’s incredible season ended in tragedy. After tearing his Achilles, cameras followed him into the locker room, capturing the devastating emotional fallout. Inspired by Kobe Bryant, Haliburton revealed he wanted to walk off the court on his own power.
“I knew what it was,” he said, recounting the moment of the injury. “I think that’s when I became overcome with emotion just because that’s when the reality really set in.”
The Brotherhood of SGA and Chris Paul
Amidst the high-stakes pressure of the playoffs, the series highlights the powerful mentorship between MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and veteran star Chris Paul. After a tough playoff loss, SGA is seen FaceTiming Paul for advice. Paul’s support was a constant, as he even sat courtside with Gilgeous-Alexander’s wife when SGA received his MVP award, showcasing a bond that goes far beyond the court.
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