Starting 5 forces Sabonis to reveal a sad truth about life in the NBA

Most sports fans (myself included) spent their childhood dreaming of playing a sport for a living. That's because, on the surface, it seems like the perfect job. After all, not only do you get to play a sport as your job, but you also get all the fame, glory, and money that comes with it. Sounds perfect, right?

But there is nothing in this life that comes without tradeoffs, and basketball is no exception to the rule.

In their brand new documentary, Starting 5, Netflix seeks to give folks a peak behind the curtain into what the life of an NBA star really looks looks like.The series follows five players – LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, and, of course, Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis.

One thing the documentary does a great job of illustrating is the tougher elements that come with being an NBA player. For instance, the second episode, "Meet the Hoopers Part II," focuses on the difficulty that comes with trying to juggle basketball with family.

“Being an NBA player is a lot of sacrifice. I mean, my wife barely sees me most of the time," Sabonis says during the Starting 5 documentary. "You try to make every second count with the kids. You try to FaceTime them as much as you can, but you definitely want to be home with them.” 

Sabonis has a unique perspective on this dynamic, as he's lived it from both sides. Before being the NBA dad, he was the son of a basketball legend himself. If you know ball, you've surely heard the name Arvydas Sabonis.

“My mom and dad always wanted what was best for us. They thought it was best for us to be raised in Spain. So, my dad was traveling back and forth from Lithuania to Spain, and whenever he came home, I was always just so happy to see him," Sabonis said. “I am trying to spend as much time with my kids because I know how much time he was away when I was a kid. We are basically in the same situation.” 

The documentary also features quotes from Sabonis' wife, Shashana Sabonis. In one of her segments, she discusses how, due to the complicated nature of the NBA schedule, they don't normally get to celebrate holidays when everyone else does.

“Domantas [Sabonis] is usually on the road or has a game, as most athletes do. So, none of our holidays or birthdays are on their actual days. [For instance] Thanksgivings are on Saturdays," Shashana Sabonis said.

Many people scoff at complaints like this. Yeah, you don't get to see your wife and kids as much, but that is why you get paid millions.

This is fair. The lost time is baked into the contract. But these are still human beings we are talking about. Just because something isn't terrible does not mean that we shouldn't work to make it better for them, or at the very least, give them a platform to share their struggles. And never forget, money cannot buy everything!

That is what makes Starting 5 one of a kind. It shows the beauty and agony that comes with the lives these players lead. More than anything, it treats them like people, and that is exactly how it should be.

To learn more about Sabonis and his Starting 5 teammates, be sure to check out Netflix's new documentary, which is available NOW.