John Starks recalls the New York Knicks’ scouting report on Michael Jordan: “Good luck”
Michael Jordan is arguably basketball’s most devastating and dominant scorer. His ability to put up points, particularly when needed, is something few have ever come close to matching.
John Starks, who was a big part of several New York Knicks teams in the ‘90s, had several engaging if not testy battles with Jordan. Here’s what he had to say about his former team’s strategy to stop perhaps the most demoralizing scorer in NBA history:
(starts at 10:11)
“On him, it’s just “Good Luck.” … He was the ultimate competitor to play against.”
The Detroit Pistons, who had the best success against Michael Jordan in the late ‘80s, schemed to let “His Airness” go to his left. They figured that that was the best way to slow down the unquestioned scoring king during that time.
It might have worked in the late ‘80s via the Pistons’ “Jordan Rules” strategy. But it certainly didn’t have such a sting in the ‘90s when Jordan ruled the league with an iron fist.
More than the technical aspect of the game, John Starks showered Michael Jordan with praise for MJ’s mentality. He combined his jaw-dropping scoring skills with an unshakeable mindset to overwhelm opponents:
“He had a will like no other that I have played against. Certain guys I can get to mentally, but him I can never get to mentally. And believe me, I tried my best but he was that special player you couldn’t break. If anything, you’re just taking him to another level.”
Breaking MJ through trash talk hasn’t worked out well for his opponents throughout his stint in the NBA. Starks added that in his matchups with Jordan, “His Airness” didn’t say anything unless he was disrespected.
John Starks did try his best. But like many others who have tried that strategy before, it embarrassingly backfired. Beating Jordan through mind games just didn’t work. Most players preferred to just play rather than irk the five-time MVP with trash talk.
Michael Jordan caused the New York Knicks so much heartache
!["His Airness" was the biggest villain in New York in the '90s. [photo: Sporting News]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/12/7ea8d-16714590145525-1920.jpg?w=500)
The New York Knicks battled against Michael Jordan in five playoff rounds. They did not win a single series. Jordan’s Chicago Bulls beat them in the postseason in 89, 91, 92. 93 and 96. The Knicks were even swept back in 1991 on Jordan's way to his first NBA championship.
New York had several powerhouse teams during Jordan’s era but just couldn’t get past him. Anchored by Patrick Ewing, the Knicks gave the Bulls everything they could handle. The Knicks were a physical team that could also outscore teams when needed.
The problem with the Knicks’ roughhousing was that Michael Jordan and his crew had gone through all of that in their rivalry with the Detroit Pistons. New York had a bruising, no-holds-barred identity behind Ewing, Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason.
The Knicks threw the kitchen sink at Jordan, particularly during the ‘93 playoffs, but still, MJ dismissed them. They won the first two games of that series, but never another game after Game 2.
The 10x scoring champ dropped 54 points against the Knicks in Game 4 to tie the series. He reminded everyone that he was the best
The New York Knicks emerged out of a playoff series against the Bulls in 1994. Michael Jordan was out playing baseball during that time.