Former New York Knicks star John Starks recalls his legendary 1993 dunk over Michael Jordan and Horace Grant, a defining moment in NBA history that fueled one of basketball’s fiercest rivalries.
Few matchups in NBA history are as storied as the New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls clashes of the 1990s.
At the center of this fierce rivalry stood Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, and a Knicks team built on toughness, grit, and emotion. Every game between the two franchises was a war — a test of will as much as talent.
For Knicks guard John Starks, those battles left an indelible mark — none more so than his unforgettable slam dunk over Jordan and Horace Grant during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals.
“It Was Pure Adrenaline”: Starks on His Iconic Dunk
Speaking to Esquire Middle East’s Matthew Priest, Starks opened up about the play that has since become one of the most replayed moments in Knicks history.
“It was pure adrenaline when I went for that dunk,” Starks said. “They even measured it at 42 inches — probably my highest jump ever. I remember the game was on the line, and that play needed to happen. It became an iconic moment in Knicks basketball, and I even have a big painting of it in my house.”
That moment, immortalized in countless highlight reels, symbolized everything about the Knicks’ identity at the time — fearless, physical, and willing to challenge the unbeatable Bulls dynasty head-on.
A Moment of Triumph… Before the Fall
The dunk wasn’t just a highlight — it was a turning point. Starks’ emphatic jam helped clinch a Game 2 victory at Madison Square Garden, giving New York a 2-0 series lead over Jordan’s Bulls.
For a brief moment, it looked like the Knicks might finally dethrone the reigning champions.
But Jordan, ever the competitor, used that moment as fuel. The Bulls stormed back to win four straight games, eliminating New York and advancing to their third consecutive NBA Finals — where they defeated the Phoenix Sunsto capture their third straight championship and complete a historic three-peat.
While the dunk became a symbol of defiance, the series outcome reminded fans just how unstoppable Jordan truly was.
Legacy of the Dunk and the Rivalry
More than 30 years later, Starks’ dunk remains one of the most iconic plays in Knicks — and NBA — history.
For fans who lived through it, that moment represents the heart and fight of 1990s basketball, an era defined by rivalries, physical play, and superstars who refused to back down.
Even today, Starks’ rivalry with Jordan remains a topic of fascination. The former guard admits he still feels a bit of that old animosity — a testament to just how personal those battles were.
Yet, behind the competitiveness lies mutual respect. Both men helped elevate each other — Jordan through dominance, Starks through defiance — leaving behind a legacy that still captivates basketball fans across generations.
