The Netflix series “Starting 5,” which debuted with all 10 episodes on Wednesday, sheds light on the personal challenges Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler faced during his absences last season. The series follows the 2023-24 seasons of five NBA stars: Butler, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, whose production company was involved in the project.
One of the key storylines involves Butler’s decision to reveal deeply personal details about the time he missed last season, which he had previously kept private. Butler’s absences, listed by the Heat as “personal reasons,” were largely due to his father’s illness and passing. The series reveals that Butler had been caring for his father, Jimmy Butler Jr., who passed away on February 8, 2023, from a terminal illness after receiving hospice care.
In the middle episodes of the series, Butler speaks openly about the loss of his father, which had a profound impact on him both personally and professionally. Reflecting on the emotional toll, Butler shared, “When you lose someone who’s been there for you, seen you grow, and helped shape you, it leaves a hole. No amount of basketball or money could fix that.”
Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, also appears in the series, providing background on the difficult period, including the heart-wrenching moment when he had to deliver the news of Butler’s father’s terminal diagnosis just before Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Butler, despite the devastating news, went on to lead the Heat to victory, scoring 28 points and earning Eastern Conference Finals MVP. In a poignant moment, Butler gave the MVP trophy to his father.
Even as his father’s health worsened, Butler continued to play. Just hours before his father passed, he recorded a triple-double in a victory against the San Antonio Spurs on February 7. After the game, Butler wrote the date on his shoes and brought them to the hospital to give to his father. The series also notes that Heat president Pat Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg attended Butler’s father’s funeral, maintaining the privacy Butler had requested throughout the ordeal.
Reflecting on his loss, Butler said, “I don’t take anything for granted anymore. My dad was special, and though he’s not here, I know he’s proud.”
The series also touches on Butler’s injuries during the 2023-24 season, which culminated in him missing the playoffs due to a knee injury. Butler, who had suffered a rolled ankle earlier in the season, talked about the difficulty of playing through pain, emphasizing the importance of taking care of his body. He acknowledged, “If my body’s not right, I’m just not able to hoop,” adding, “One thing can lead to another.”
In addition to basketball, “Starting 5” provides a rare glimpse into Butler’s personal life, including moments with his son and daughter. In one light-hearted scene, Butler’s daughter, Rylee, humorously critiques his emo-inspired look from the 2023 media day, saying, “I don’t like his hair.”
As Butler enters what could be a contract year, with the option to opt out of his Heat contract after the 2025-26 season, he is determined to play more games this season. He made his preseason debut on Tuesday in a road loss to the Charlotte Hornets, marking his first preseason appearance in two years. The Heat’s next exhibition game is scheduled for Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans, after Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks was postponed due to Hurricane Milton.
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