John Starks spoke on the New York Knicks 'Garden Party' podcast recently. When discussing his now-legendary dunk on Michael Jordan during the 1993 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Starks gave a very humble assessment of it, calling it just another play and one that was to help the team in the game against the Bulls.
"Obviously, that was a play that needed to be made because the game was just hanging in the balance at that particular time. But I always talk about - Riles [Pat Riley] used to tell us all the time 'You're going to see things during the game that you can use at the end of the game'."
"BJ Armstrong was cheating the play. So whenever Patrick [Ewing] would come set the pick, I would cut my eyes. He would jump into my eyesight, push me baseline, and trap me on the baseline. That particular play, when I was coming down if you watch the play, I was slowly dragging him down the court."
"Then when I got in position, I saw Bill Cartwright wasn't in his normal position, help position. BJ had his back to him, he was expecting him. Patrick came over to set the pick and he did exactly what I thought he was going to do. As soon as I cut my eyes, he jumped."
"I saw Bill Cartwright wasn't in place, I took off the baseline, and I jumped with everything I had inside of me. Because I knew Horace Grant was coming over, he was 6'10 or 6'11... I just left the floor quick. Most guys who dribble with their right hand jump better going right."
"I got one leg bigger than the other, I jump better with my left. So that's what made that play so special. When I got up so quick on him, he didn't have time to get up. I dunked it and ran up the court, just to get back on defense..."
"It was just another play. It wasn't until the next day until me and Herb Williams were sitting for breakfast, I picked up the paper, and I saw who was on the back end of the play - [Michael Jordan]. I wasn't even thinking about it, we were so caught up in beating Chicago."
(33:41 onwards)
Starks claims to have been tunnel-visioned on beating Chicago, so much so that he didn't even notice that he was dunking on Michael Jordan. Starks may be the only player in NBA history to have dunked on Michael Jordan and not realize it.
Starks' dunk on Michael Jordan came in the final seconds of Game 2 against the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks were trying to prevent the Bulls from reaching the NBA Finals and were up 1-0 against them. Starks' dunk extended their lead by 5 points and sealed the win for the Knicks.
Michael Jordan Led An Incredible Comeback
Staring down a 2-0 lead in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, Michael Jordan put the team on his back and led the Chicago Bulls back into the series and back to the NBA Finals. Jordan had an incredible series, especially in the last four games.
Michael Jordan had one of the greatest games of his playoff career during the series when he dropped 54 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. He would help the Bulls win the game by 10 points.
Jordan would have a great performance in the 1993 NBA Finals when the Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games to win the NBA championship. This playoff run would mark the end of Jordan's first run in the NBA, as he would end up retiring from basketball for the first time in his career.
Jordan's retirement didn't last long, as he returned just two years later in 1995. He would win three more NBA championships between 1996 to 1998, before retiring for a second time.
Jordan would come out of retirement a third time in 2001 to play for the Wizards, although that was more of a ceremonial stint, which allowed the league to say goodbye to the greatest player of all time in proper fashion.
