Meet the Breakout Star Of the New Netflix NBA Series

As I sat around the table at Ant’s home in Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day, I couldn’t help but marvel at the contrast between the two Ants – the young, impulsive gamer and the passionate, mature athlete. Having spent a lifetime observing and reporting on professional athletes, I can tell you that the path to success is rarely a straight one. It’s filled with detours, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt.

As a passionate NBA fan, I can’t wait to witness Anthony Edwards’ debut in “Starting 5,” the enticing new docuseries airing on Netflix from October 9. Towards the end of the first episode, we get a thrilling introduction to Edwards as he fires up his electric blue Lamborghini in his Minneapolis garage. In a bold statement, Edwards declares, “I don’t admire anyone in the league at the moment; not even a little bit.” This declaration is intriguing, given that the opening episode of “Starting 5” extensively showcases the greatness of LeBron James, one of the series’ main subjects. Edwards continues, “I’d love to challenge LeBron James in a one-on-one matchup – who wouldn’t? If you claim otherwise, it means you’re not hungry for competition.

Much like Edwards’ Lambo, Staring 5 is now off and running.

The highly anticipated docuseries, co-produced by notable figures such as Maverick Carter (LeBron’s longtime business partner), former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Peyton Manning, does feature striking moments involving its various characters. For instance, James recounting his son Bronny’s cardiac arrest during the summer of 2023, Butler grappling with the loss of his father, Tatum sharing intimate moments with his son Deuce, and Sabonis discussing an unfair snub from an All-Star game.

Nevertheless, the unadulterated character of Edwards, famously recognized in Minnesota and beyond as “Ant-Man” or simply “Ant,” has become the standout performer on the series.

Anthony Edwards, the gifted guard of the Timberwolves embarking on his fifth NBA season, has garnered comparisons reminiscent of basketball legend Michael Jordan, due to his aerial skills and energy. It’s not right to pressure any rising star with the “next Jordan” title. However, Trishtan Williams, one of the series directors who closely watched Edwards last season, stands firm in the Jordan discussion. At 23 years old, Edwards has already been a two-time All-Star and guided Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals; he also won a gold medal this summer with the U.S. Olympic team in Paris. Yet, he’s still developing his game further.

According to Williams, he’s on track to become the next Michael Jordan. He’s relentless in his work ethic, as if he were a machine, and he enjoys spending endless hours training.

Williams refers to Edwards as an “expressive persona” due to his eloquence, charm, and openness about sharing aspects of his life beyond basketball. Directly from Edwards’ own words, here are seven quotes from the show “Starting 5” that offer a glimpse into the multifaceted Ant experience.

“I don’t like to dunk at all to be honest, cause it hurts … But I like to dunk on people. I want the fans to just be like, ‘Oh, f–ck, we couldn’t stop him tonight.‘”

It seems like there might be some discomfort for Edwards when he dunks, as his arm may hit the rim due to his elevated position. However, he takes pleasure in dominating his opponents, a feat known as posterizing them. The second episode showcases Ant’s most impressive airborne plays in a montage. He often uses defenseless opponents as a trampoline for landing. In one instance, his legs even landed on an unfortunate player from the Toronto Raptors, causing some embarrassment. Edwards is an extraordinary individual, flying above others effortlessly.

“I’ve never packed my clothes, so why start now? You know what I mean?”

The task of preparing Ant for road trips is assigned to his uncle Drew, as detailed by the article “Starting 5. “. While Edwards lies peacefully asleep in bed, Uncle Drew neatly packs five outfits into a suitcase and stores Ant’s video-game gear in another bag. Edwards himself refrains from packing his belongings because he fears he might overlook essential items or end up with wrinkled clothes.

Additionally, Edwards notes that Drew appears to enjoy the assignment. “I believe he has a bit of an obsessive-compulsive streak,” remarks Ant.

Meet the Breakout Star Of the New Netflix NBA Series

“Got me looking like Lamont from Sanford and Son. Eddie Winslow from Family Matters.”

In this episode of a sitcom-themed series, Edward finds himself in Atlanta, where his old hometown team, the T-Wolves, are playing against the Hawks. He stops by his longtime barber, Nono’s, shop. Growing up in Atlanta, Edwards has a strong connection with Nono. As he gazes into the mirror, he playfully imitates a famous character from an iconic 1970s sitcom, Eddie Winslow. However, it takes a keen eye to see the similarity between Edwards and Demond Wilson, who portrayed Lamond Sanford – the son. Yet, when Edward calls out in the distinctive tone of Darius McCrary, known for his role as the oldest child on Family Matters (the neighbor was Erkel), it’s nothing short of hilarious because Edwards bears a striking resemblance to McCrary!

Despite the protestations and barbs from Edwards, Nono does objectively fine work on his hair. While the Wolves do lose to Atlanta later, putting a damper on Ant-Man’s homecoming, you can’t blame the Eddie Winslow ‘do.

“Playing a video game [is] like, essential to my life. It’s the only other thing I do the most other than play basketball. I’m in love with the video game.”

Edward’s fondness for Fortnite wouldn’t typically cause concern, but today being Thanksgiving and the family gathering at Anthony’s home in Minnesota, it’s becoming an issue as Edward seems to be acting rudely: he’s secluded himself in a room, fixated on a screen, with gaming headphones blocking out other sounds. “I’m going to annihilate him, damn it,” remarks Edward’s sister. Everyone is starting to feel hungry.

After stepping out of my den, I throw myself wholeheartedly into the festivities: heaping up meals, playing with the little ones, serenading friends with tunes. It’s the perfect spot for celebrating Thanksgiving together.

Meet the Breakout Star Of the New Netflix NBA Series

“I want to play for like a long, long time in the NBA. That’s all I want to do. I want to start eating better, building better habits. So I think taking care of your body is super important. … The Domino’s here?”

Hey Ant! The show “Starting 5” delivers a hilarious scene in its third episode where Edwards passionately emphasizes the significance of maintaining his health, only to follow it up by enjoying a pizza delivery. He exclaims, “With TB, terrific body, terrific body,” while sinking his teeth into a slice. The series subtly hints that Ant is still young and carefree, which adds to his allure. If he adopts healthier habits like the grown-up LeBron James, who knows how far Ant could potentially rise?

“Being named an All-Star is super-dope. ‘Cause if you don’t, what you doin’ it for?”

I’ve spent 16 years in the NBA, just like Nicolas Batum. During this time, I’ve been fortunate enough to bring home a couple of Olympic medals for my country, France. Over the course of my career, I’ve earned close to $200 million in salary.

It’s hard to picture numerous athletes who made it to the NBA feeling remorse about their professional choices. The fact that Batum and McCollum haven’t been selected for an All-Star team doesn’t necessarily raise the question, “What are they even striving for?

But while Edwards’ perspective may seem a bit warped, it’s also worth examining from another perspective. Such All-Star single mindedness might be what makes Ant so special.

Meet the Breakout Star Of the New Netflix NBA Series

“I couldn’t put my shit on. Shit. I was in a rush.”

In the opening scene of episode 7 of “Starting Five”, Edwards abruptly departed his match against the Sacramento Kings midway to hasten to a Minneapolis hospital. His aim was to be present during the delivery of his girlfriend, Jeanine Robel’s, daughter, Aislynn. He exited an SUV and entered the hospital in haste, without a shirt on and his pants hanging low. According to Williams who captured the moment, it was quite a spectacle to witness Edwards compose himself during this journey from the game to his daughter’s birth.

Ant-Man’s journey into fatherhood signifies a significant step in his personal development. According to Williams, “People will witness him evolve and they’ll see a transformed athlete this season.” Regrettably, he won’t be around to watch it unfold as this season promises to be exceptionally special for him.

2024-10-09 16:06

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