Happy Birthday to NBA All-Star John Starks (born August 10, 1965), one of the most electric and fearless guards in New York Knicks history. Known for his heart, hustle, and never-back-down mentality, Starks gave fans one of the most iconic moments in NBA history — a play simply known as “The Dunk.”
It happened on May 25, 1993, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls — a dynasty in the making. The Knicks were up by three points with under a minute left. Starks, standing in the right corner of Madison Square Garden, was tightly guarded by B.J. Armstrong. Patrick Ewing came to set a screen, and Starks gave a subtle fake as if he were going to use it. Then, in a burst of explosiveness, he drove baseline with his left hand. What happened next would be frozen in time forever.
John Starks — a 6’3″ undrafted guard who had once bagged groceries before getting his NBA shot — rose up in the air with full confidence and power, elevating over Bulls forward Horace Grant. As Michael Jordan rotated over to help, Starks threw down a vicious, left-handed slam — a poster dunk that ignited Madison Square Garden into pure chaos. Commentators gasped. Fans roared. And NBA history was made.
He did it all wearing the Nike Air Ballistic Force Mid, a shoe that has since gained cult status among sneakerheads and Knicks fans alike. Though it wasn’t as flashy as Jordan’s signature line, the Air Ballistic Force Mid represented grit and edge — the perfect symbol of Starks’ game. In an era dominated by Michael Jordan, it was poetic that the most unforgettable play came from a player not wearing Air Jordans, but challenging them — literally and symbolically.
What’s even more shocking? John Starks wasn’t even supposed to be in the NBA. He went undrafted in 1988 and bounced around the CBA and World Basketball League. At one point, he was working at a grocery store in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He even got cut from Golden State early in his career. But in 1990, he got a shot with the Knicks — and he never looked back. His story is one of true perseverance, proof that raw determination can outshine raw talent.
Starks became an All-Star in 1994 and the emotional leader of those tough, defense-first Knicks teams that clashed with Jordan’s Bulls and later Reggie Miller’s Pacers. He once shot 0-for-11 in Game 7 of the 1994 Finals — a crushing moment — but in true Starks fashion, he took full accountability and never made excuses.
His legacy isn’t about perfection. It’s about passion, loyalty, and guts. “The Dunk” wasn’t just two points — it was a statement. A moment that screamed: We’re not afraid of the Bulls. We’re not afraid of Jordan. We’re the New York Knicks.
Shop the latest NIKE & AIR JORDAN basketball sneakers now and channel that same fire, drive, and energy that Starks brought to the court every night. Whether you’re hooping at the park or hitting the streets, bring that game-day intensity with every step.
