Fans erupt as NBA falls behind NFL again with Netflix reportedly axing 'Starting 5' due to depressed ratings


The NBA had received its counterpart in the NFL documentary series “Quarerback” in the form of “Home 5” in October 2024. However, a report on Monday from the “Sports Business Journal” suggested that Netflix may be removing the show due to dismal ratings.

The format of the show featured five NBA players and followed their journey over the course of a full season. The show's focus was away from the technicalities of basketball, instead showing more of a player's personal life during an active season.

Netflix is ​​canceling Starting 5 after two seasons, according to @SBJ . The 5-starter's Season 1 viewing numbers lagged behind their NFL counterpart, the quarterback, and aren't expected to improve in Season 2 despite featuring stars like LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and Anthony.

The news caused an uproar in the basketball community as fans flooded social media with their thoughts on the show and its possible cancellation.

“No Steph Curry will,” said one fan.

No Steph Curry will.

“Bro all you have to do is bring 30 from the bay this mf is in the 27 MOST WATCHED GAMES OF THE LAST HALF CENTURY I get it Bron is the face for the combination of love and hate attention but this golden state mf is the golden son of the NBA” another fan he said

“Screw Steph and Giannis next season and the ratings will improve 100%. The NBA needs to milk their franchise players better,” another. fan he said

Some fans complained about the show's interview-based style and called for a more technical perspective.

“A simple fix…actually show us BASKETBALL in more detail…it was heavily documented off the court, basketball fans want to see the hoop. It's that simple,” said one fan.

simple fix…actually show us BASKETBALL in more detail…it was heavily documented off the court, basketball fans want to see the hoop. It's that simple.

“There was no inside access. Give us the inside: training camp, summer workouts, postgame after a loss, what guys do on a road trip to stay focused, letters on the plane. That was just game highlights and sit-down interviews,” another. fan he said

“Because it was mostly like a podcast/interview. Give us the actual micd up scenes, what it's like to practice and travel to the games. It could be so much more,” another. fan he said

The first season of Netflix's NBA docuseries featured an all-star lineup LeBron JamesJimmy Butler, Jason Tatum, Anthony Edwards and Domantas Sabonis. The second season featured Jalen Brown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese HaliburtonJames Harden and Kevin Durant.

Jalen Williams gives honest reaction to Netflix's NBA show cancellation: 'It hurt'

Online fans weren't the only ones disappointed with Netflix's “Starting 5.” Jalen Williams I was also quite dissatisfied with the docuseries. On Tuesday, the OKC Thunder star expressed his thoughts on the show's cancellation on his alternate Instagram account.

“It's because it hurt 🤣🤣🤣 they removed all the good stuff,” Williams wrote.

The Thunder star deleted the Instagram story just hours after posting it. According to SBJ, the first season of the Netflix docuseries lagged far behind its NFL counterpart. The situation showed no improvement after the premiere of the second season.