NBA documentary “Starting 5” on Netflix: Behind the scenes with Jayson Tatum

“He is one of the most generous people you will ever meet in your life,” Khan said. “I think it says a lot that Bred Hampton, Nick Sang and Amile Jefferson are kind of legends in Boston and Celtics fandom. And that's because of Jayson because he wants to lift people up. So that the generosity really shines through.

“And I think it also kind of comes through the camera where he gives us access. Remember, he hardly ever does this. This is the first time he has revealed these parts of his life. So the generosity also extends to the viewer.”

Few Boston athletes have been under as much scrutiny in recent years as Tatum, whose authentic superstardom and ability to lead a team to a championship were repeatedly questioned during his rise to the All-NBA first team. Interviews with Tatum delve into the media spotlight that still hasn't completely disappeared.

“He is underestimated because of his strength,” Khan said. “His physical strength, which has obviously increased after the final defeat in 2022, but also his mental strength, all the things he has overcome in his life and for whatever reason, I don't think he is responsible for that the honor is bestowed.

“In the interview, he talks about navigating the melting pot that is Boston sports media, and how he's managed to navigate that from his teenage years to his current age of 26… all through Jayson's eyes Seeing it was enlightening.” .”

Putting together such a documentary is always a challenge as filmmakers have no control over how events unfold on the pitch. However, according to Khan, the results were secondary to the issue.

“What you're trying to do is tell the story of these characters at this point in their lives, and in many ways the victories and defeats aren't important,” Khan explained. “Joe Mazzulla will disagree, Brad Stevens will disagree, Jayson Tatum will disagree.

“But for us. . . I think our challenge, our job is how to tell the complete story of Jayson Tatum. Regardless of whether they win it all and he lifts Deuce up as the confetti falls or, you know, Kyrie goes into god mode for the first time in Boston and it's a heartbreaking loss.

“So we try to separate the wins and losses from the story we’re telling. And I think the other thing that we were also aware of is the fact that Jayson Tatum has a full-time job that isn't on a Netflix docuseries to be as minimally invasive as possible and kind of fit into his life and really its flying on the wall.”

The producers chose five players with different personalities and career paths. At the end of his career, James is one of the game's greats. Tatum and Edwards are rising superstars with contrasting personalities. Butler is a unique presence on and off the court, and Sabonis is one of the NBA's underrated stars who has found the right home in Sacramento.

Despite all the differences, there was a through line.

“What we noticed as the players solidified and we started fleshing out the story was that everyone was struggling with a father-son relationship in their own way,” Khan said. “LeBron is about Bronny, what happened at USC and then what would happen in the draft. It's Jayson and Deuce, it's Jayson's relationship with his own father Justin. It's Jimmy's relationship with his father. And then Sabonis, you know, his relationship with his father Arvydas.

“That part of it is something we'd like to acknowledge – the good cast – but it was just good timing with these guys all dealing with these father-son issues and they kind of came to a head over the course of the 2023-24 season .”

However, Celtics fans will be mostly focused on Tatum, who they will learn a lot about.

“He’s a really funny guy,” Khan said. “That lighter side of Jayson, I think people will have fun seeing that, just him kind of going for it. Seeing him with Bred Hampton, Nick Sang and Amile Jefferson is one of the reasons those guys are here too. They keep Jayson free. They make him laugh.

“And you know, not only is it basketball, basketball, basketball, but even on the basketball court and the practice field it's, 'Let's have fun.' “Let’s do this in a way that keeps us motivated for next time.”

“That’s why I’m excited for Celtics fans to see the lighter side of Jayson.”

Amin Touri can be reached at [email protected].