Im really look forward to seeing Van Gundy and John Starks. If John finished his career in NY would have his number retired just on his effort and love for the game. Ewing has said he rather have John than any other guard in the league. Those 2 went to war together, something these Knicks can learn from.

Now this is interesting. Do you think John Starks or Allan Houston in their primes would have been a better teammate for Ew in a run at the title?

Ew, Oak, Mase, Starks, Harper OR
Ew, Oak, Mase, Houston, Harper?

Posted by falcindor:

John in his prime was a really intense player, Houston has never exhibited such intensity. Johns intensity I can only compare to Jordans in that throughout the game they were focused. Starks wasnt the most talented shooter but you knew he put 110% on the floor everynight. Houston look like hes sleepwalking through some of his games but has all the talent in the world.

I really think he would get his jersey retired if they won 1 banner. John is on my short list of favorite Knicks. He should get a thunderous ovation when he shows up at the garden.

Hold up! Hold up! Starks was pretty much an intense player but very inconsistent,at times immature and not very smart, basketball wise. Talent wise, Houston was better but in terms of having the fire and aggressiveness, i agree belongs to Starks. Look at the stats, Starks was never considered a top 10 shooting guard but Allan is.

i have to say, before starks was traded, he had lost all of his heart. pure and simple. his teammates ripped him to the MEDIA for bringing his golf clubs along to indy during the playoffs. who does that?

Starks had fire and heart that Riley loved, and it's the overachieving nature of his person, plus, his "good looks" that made him a favorite. His hot streaks from downtown impressed and were inspiring, and his drama, and flair, and often critical matchups versus MJ made us watch him all the more as he was thrust into the spotlight. But if you really dissect him as a player, somewhere along the way, he became a shell, and lost interest in basketball, or revealed his true colors because he had "made it" (from the CBA to NBA). I think he lost interest once Riley bolted for Miami. But before he got traded to GS, he was already just all gone.

Another thing i'll never forgive him for was his inability to play the point. At his size, 6'3", we needed him to be able to do that when Houston came over. Instead, he had to go to 6th man, often pushing houston out of close games as JVG went to starks in the clutch like his mentor Riley often used to. The thing is, if Houston had been able to stay on the court with Starks and have two real threats, instead of Chris Childs or Charlie Ward at PG, imagine Starks and Houston waiting to launch a "nail in the coffin" trey.

That never happenned though. I wanted him to get traded that summer, and he did. He definitely got all the respect he deserved over the course of his career. He even got the sportsmanship award in 1998 I think. He also got the 6th man of the year award as well.

Houston's in the 2nd year of a 6 year contract. Hopefully, this guy is still in his prime.

2-18 in game 7. Well Starks carried us in game 6, he went on tare and brought us back from a double digit 4th quarter deficit. He would have won the game if Olajuwon was called for the foul at the end of regulation. Well OJ interuppted the game and I missed the entire 3rd quarter. Starks scored I believe 37 in game 6.

I know a collegiate player just like H20. He plays in the IVY league, and is the league's leading scorer for the past few years. All the talent in the world, no apparent fire.

Makes you not appreciate a player, because you see no heart, no charisma.

Posted by HoustonIsSoft:

A lot of people can't forgive the 2-18 game 7 in Houston. I can. He was one of my favorite Knicks, up there with Ewing and Oakley. He had a bad night! It happens. It was the worst possible game for it and people have ripped he and Riley (for letting Starks shoot away). I said it then and I say it now, "you go with what got you there". Starks was a huge reason why they were in the position they were to begin with.

As for Houston, you can see from my name how I feel about him. At least Starks challenged people in the lane. I loved his intensity and I think that is one of the reasons why I'm so hard on AH. Where's the intensity game in and game out? I will say that he is playing the best ball as a Knick this year though.




[Edited by - HOUSTONISSOFT on 02/27/2003 15:55:32]

Plain and simple, you Hatin!! How can you call yourself a Knicksfan with that ridiculous name. As a knicksfan, you should provide supportfor the players without the critical remarks. Houston is not soft. As you know, he's been playing hurt all season long with an injured toe, wrist and bad lower back and at the same time, still competing. Houston's game has elevated to the next level, you can't deny it. Look at his progression in rebounding,scoring,passing, playing defense and team vocal player. He is starting to become an all-around player and not just a spot-up shooter. Anyone who disagrees, must have a difficult time witnessing it...