John Starks from undrafted to NBA legend on battling Michael Jordan, iconic dunk vs Chicago, Knicks playoff pain, 90s rivalries, Game 7 heartbreak, Jalen Brunson, SGA and why this Knicks team feels different

May 12, 2026

John Starks, former NBA All-Star who rose from undrafted underdog to 90s Knicks icon. He revisits battling Michael Jordan and the era’s brutal rivalries. He reflects on the iconic dunk over Chicago, the Game 7 heartbreak and recovery, and why today’s Knicks feel different. Short, candid stories about pressure, perseverance, and competing in Madison Square Garden.

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ANECDOTE

Brother Fueled The Go Hard Mentality

John Starks traces his competitive edge to growing up on a tough block and emulating his older brother's physical style of play.
His brother drilled a “go hard every time” mentality that pushed Starks to prove doubters after being a late bloomer and leaving his high school team.

ANECDOTE

Safeway Moment Was The Career Pivot

Starks almost derailed his career with off-court trouble and being sent home from two junior colleges before his brother and a co-worker intervened.
A Safeway supervisor and his brother urged him back to school, which Starks credits as the pivot that fast-tracked his maturity.

INSIGHT

Rules Have Shifted The Game Toward Offense

Starks explains modern NBA rules favor offensive scoring and craftier maneuvers, changing how guards exploit contact and space.
He contrasts 90s physical half-court play with today's fast offense, noting players now train younger and exploit rule shifts.

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"If I could have played against Michael Jordan everyday, I would have because I am a competitor." John Starks

With NBA playoffs heating up, the New York Knicks look to be a favorite in the East and the city of New York is buzzing with the same type of energy that rivaled that of the 90s teams. And who better to talk about this type of pressure than a man who lived and breathed it.

Former NBA All-Star and legend John Starks joins The Pivot Podcast for a raw and inspiring conversation about perseverance, pressure, and proving doubters wrong. Starks opens up about his difficult upbringing and troubled youth, sharing the challenges that shaped the relentless mentality he carried throughout his basketball journey. From going undrafted to becoming one of the most electrifying players in the NBA, he reflects on the grit it took to earn his place in the league and etched in history books.

The former New York Knicks fan favorite revisits the intensity of 1990s basketball, the culture surrounding the Knicks during their fierce rivalries, and the unforgettable moments that defined his career — including “The Dunk” over Chicago and the highs and heartbreaks of deep playoff battles. A fierce competitor, Starks talks about the 90s rivalries, facing Michael Jordan and the pure physicality of the sport that makes the game so different back then to now.

He opens up about his infamous game seven collapse, the devastation he suffered after that loss and the hurt carried with him for letting his team and city down. Although a fan favorite with no blame cast on him, Starks tried to block it all out and shares what it took to get him out of the emotional rut to be himself again on the court. Despite never getting a chance to redeem himself at a championship title. Starks speaks candidly about overcoming criticism, handling pressure in New York, and what his journey represents for overlooked athletes chasing impossible dreams.

Getting into the NBA today, Starks gives his perspective on some of the young stars dominating the court, why SGA is making waves and shares why he thinks this NY team is the one to beat, revealing a conversation he had with Jalen Brunson on Knicks culture.

Throughout the conversation, the guys and Starks dive into legacy, resilience, mental toughness, and the impact he continues to have on generations of basketball fans and players who see his story as proof that determination can outwork talent when opportunity finally arrives. He opens up on his youth, how his poor choices off the court could have derailed his career and how his brother saved him by pushing him back on the path of basketball away from the streets.

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