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

Pivot Podcast

The Pivot Podcast Network

Sports, Football, Society & Culture

4.9 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

"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. Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Some follow the noise.
0:03.3	Bloomberg follows the money.
0:05.4	Because behind every headline is a bottom line.
0:09.3	Whether it's the funds-fueling AI or crypto's trillion-dollar swings,
0:13.8	there's a money-side to every story.
0:16.5	And when you see the money-side, you understand what others miss.
0:20.9	Get the money-side of the story., you understand what others miss. Get the money side of the story.
0:22.9	Subscribe now at Bloomberg.com.
0:27.9	John Starks has the ultimate rags to riches story.
0:30.7	Starks went from an undrafted player to an all-star.
0:34.1	He won the sixth man of the year, and he became a core player in the 90s
0:37.8	Knicks locker room. Now, you're probably wondering how do so many teams miss out on a baller
0:42.5	like this? And the answer is easy. It was Starks' fault. He was a late bloomer and he ends up
0:47.6	getting kicked off of his high school team. So he only plays a year of high school ball. And
0:52.2	then he was sent home from two separate junior colleges
0:55.5	for, let's just say, bad decision making. What's great about Stark is he isn't embarrassed
1:01.0	of his past. He recalls those moments that shaped him, the failures, and the comeback. But most
1:06.7	importantly, the pivot that he and his brother shared that changed his life forever.
1:12.6	Then we fast forward to the magic of Madison Square Garden, the 1990s Knicks runs, and Game
1:19.2	7 versus Houston.
1:21.1	We also talk about the dunk and the headbutt.
1:24.1	We get some insight into today's NBA NBA just about how much the game has changed
	...

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