If you don’t know the LeBron James story by now, you’ve probably been actively avoiding the tale of King James all these years, given how he’s been sports-famous since he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside the headline “THE CHOSEN ONE” when he was just 17 years old and became world famous over the ensuing two decades. Millions of fans are well-versed in all things LeBron, dating back to his upbringing in Akron, Ohio, and the lifelong friendship he forged with four teammates and his coach, as chronicled in the 2009 documentary film “More Than a Game.”
Add to that the myriad of profile pieces done about James over the last two decades, and was there really an urgent need for a fictionalized re-telling of James’ origins story? Of course not, but thanks in large part to a quintet of engaging and talented young performers and the steady presence of some reliable veterans in supporting roles, the Peacock original movie “Shooting Stars” is an entertaining docudrama that rarely digs beneath the surface but serves as a bright and inspirational reminder of a time when basketball was the glue forging a bond among five young boys who started playing together when they were around 10 years old and remain close friends to this day.
