James Harden’s transparency drives new ‘Starting 5,’ which features NBA MVP, All-Stars – The Athletic

One of the best moments of this season’s “Starting 5” docuseries on Netflix? James Harden looking nervous while discussing his personal life.

How did one of the most private players in the NBA end up sharing so much of his personal life? Ask Trishtan Williams, one of the directors for the second season along with Susan Ansman, Peter J. Scalettar and Rob Ford.

Williams’ resume includes working with the hit reality show “Love is Blind.” Her ability to connect with Harden and bring out an introspective side rarely seen is the highlight of this season’s docuseries, which premiers Thursday and also features Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Harden, the LA Clippers star guard, has collected several accolades throughout his 16-year NBA career, including the Most Valuable Player award in 2018 and 11 All-Star appearances. He’s been known to enjoy the nightlife like many young celebrities. Harden being in a relationship isn’t news. He became a meme in June 2024 with his reaction following his girlfriend, Paije Speights, catching the bouquet at a wedding.

But “Starting 5” shows Harden revealing several intimate confessions. He openly discusses being in love. He speaks openly of a 6-year-old son, Jace. He also talks about how he navigated after his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

Williams, like Harden, is from Los Angeles and said she leaned into that connection. Both attended Audubon Middle School in the city (Williams is three years older), and Williams wanted to convince her fellow alumni it was time to share more of himself with the public.

“(I said) I think you’re at a phase in your career, not saying that it’s over, but you had a phase of your career where it’s time to pull the curtains back and let people in a little bit more,” Williams said of Harden. “And if you do that, just trust me, because I understand you, and I’m gonna make sure we do it in a way where people are gonna have empathy for you and understand who you are and what you’re really thinking, what you’re really going through.”

Many athletes share many aspects of their personal life on social media, but Harden isn’t one of them. He’s been one of the league’s most recognizable players for more than a decade, but he hasn’t been one to share much of what goes on privately.

Williams didn’t know about Jace until Harden told her one day he was on his way home. She said Harden was unsure if he even wanted Jace on camera for the show.

“I said OK, well, let’s talk this through,” Williams said. “We just talked it out and how we can go about it, how we can show it in the most elegant way.”

It’s one of the best parts of the series. Docuseries can feel like an extension of an athlete’s brand and not offer a lot of new information, but rather than showing the Harden much of the basketball world knows, “Starting 5” offers insight into an off-court life few would have imagined.

Williams said knowing how to “read the room” is important in building the trust needed for a show like “Starting 5.” She trusts her instincts to know how to capture intimate moments while not being intrusive.

That worked well with Harden.

“I don’t need to sit up under you all day long,” Williams said. “If it’s something that’s far away and you’re mic’d up, stay far away and capture it. It’s gonna invoke the same emotion.”

From left, Sami Khan, Peter J. Scalettar, Trishtan Williams and Susan Ansman all have had a hand in the success of Netflix’s “Starting 5” docuseries either in a producer or director role. (Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Netflix)

Harden’s story isn’t the only one of note in the series. Here’s something I found interesting from the other four subjects:

• Brown’s grandfather, Willie, had gallbladder surgery during the 2024-25 season. Willie, a former boxer who sparred with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, kept tabs on Brown during the playoffs even as he recovered.
• Already one of the most candid players in the league, Durant offers insight into why he didn’t want to be traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Golden State Warriors last season. Additionally, his friendship with Harden dates back to their time as teammates with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• The footage from the regular season is cool as it starts with Haliburton’s return from the 2024 Paris Olympics — where he didn’t play much. But the playoff run that included his father being banned from games after confronting and taunting Giannis Antetokounmpo and the NBA Finals loss, as well as Haliburton’s Achilles injury during that Finals run, is captured well.
• For Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2024-25 NBA MVP, his journey is captured all the way through winning the league championship and Finals MVP. The funniest moment might be the yard sale he had where teammates showed up to buy his old clothes and shoes. How many MVPs have yard sales?

Season 2 of “Starting 5” follows a first season that featured LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Jimmy Butler, Domantas Sabonis and Jayson Tatum.