
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen received an invitation to join Netflix’s Starting 5, a series offering fans an inside look into the day-to-day lives of NBA stars. Ultimately, though, Markkanen felt that adding the show into his season routine would create too many distractions.
“I didn’t want to bring extra people into the locker room,” Markkanen shared, explaining his decision. “Yes, it’s fine when it’s going great and you’re having people film you in your car after a game. But what if things go sideways? I just know my personality, and it would have been too much. I just wanted to focus on playing basketball and being with our team with no other people around. And then, we’re pretty private with our family life as well, so didn’t want to bring them into it.”
The Finnish forward emphasized that while he respects the unique opportunity Starting 5 offers for fan engagement, he prefers to keep a clear boundary between his public and private lives. To him, maintaining that separation is crucial for focus and balance, especially during the intensity of the season.
Starting 5 documents the lives of NBA superstars like LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis. The series brings audiences closer to the athletes, showing not only their professional lives but also personal moments, family interactions, and the behind-the-scenes experiences that define their lives both on and off the court.
Lauri Markkanen Declined Spot In Netflix Show 'Starting 5' https://t.co/EB560RYcjt
— RealGM (@RealGM) October 27, 2024