MIAMI - Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will be featured in an upcoming Netflix reality series produced by, among others, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Peyton Manning and LeBron James, the network announced Wednesday.
Filmed last season, "Starting Five" is a 10-part series of 45-minute episodes premiering Oct. 9 that will focus on the play last season of Butler, James, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.
According to the network, "The series captures their battles on and off the court as they chase greatness, push through injuries, and balance the demands of family and legacy. James pushes himself harder than ever to stay healthy - and dominant - in his 21st season, while Edwards electrifies with his rapid rise. Butler's relentless drive propels the Heat, Sabonis anchors the Kings with his versatile play, and Tatum leads the Celtics in their quest for a record 18th championship."
Butler was followed by a camera crew throughout last season, a season that ended for the former All-Star when he suffered a knee injury in the Heat's first postseason game, a play-in-round loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Butler then was sidelined for the balance of the Heat's brief postseason run, including their 4-1 first-round ouster at the hands of Tatum and the Celtics.
It was just the second time in Butler's five seasons with the Heat that he failed to advance at least to the Eastern Conference finals, rare postseason failure amid his team's playoff success.
The series is the latest Netflix venture into sports reality, having previously featured series such as Simone Biles Rising; Sprint; Quarterback; Formula 1: Drive to Survive; and Full Swing.
The sports series will be the second with Netflix for former President Obama and wife Michelle's Higher Ground Productions, following the announcement of the Olympic men's basketball series (to premiere in 2025). The former president met with Heat center Bam Adebayo before Adebayo and Team USA won gold at the recent Paris Olympics. James, Edwards and Tatum also were part of that team.
The connection with Manning is through his Omaha Productions, which has produced Netflix series Receiver, Quarterback and King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch.
The James connection comes through the work of the Uninterrupted production company of the former Heat forward, which has produced sports programming such as Hustle; The Redeem Team; Neymar: The Perfect Chaos; Naomi Osaka; UNTOLD: Sign Stealer, Rez Ball and The Playbook.
Butler is currently in China as part of a tour for his sneaker company.
Butler, who turns 35 on Sept. 14, is entering the potential final year of his Heat contract, with the option to enter free agency next summer. He had been linked to a potential extension once he became eligible in July, but instead appears poised to play out 2024-25 before resolving his contract future.
The Heat will hold their media day on Sept. 30 at Kaseya Center, with their training camp to follow at the Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas.
