Final answer:
The 'starting 5' refers to the five players on a basketball team that start the game. Including the 6th man, who is a substitute, does not change the number of the starting lineup, which remains five players.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'starting 5' in basketball refers to the five players who start the game. When someone mentions the 6th man, they are referring to a player who is not part of the starting lineup but is usually the first player to be called off the bench to substitute in.
Therefore, the starting 5 consists of exactly five players, and the inclusion of a 6th man doesn't change the number of players in the starting lineup.