Former New York Knicks guard John Starks recently recounted his famous slam-dunk over Chicago Bulls forward Horace Grant during the 1993 NBA playoffs [1].
The moment remains a defining highlight of Starks' career, capturing the intense rivalry between the Knicks and the Bulls during the early 1990s. It serves as a rare instance of a New York player visually dominating a Chicago defender during the Bulls' dynasty era.
The play occurred during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1993 [1]. Starks was driving to the basket during a fast-break and chose to attack the rim aggressively [1]. The result was a powerful dunk over Grant at Madison Square Garden in New York City [1].
While the dunk was the primary action, the positioning of Michael Jordan added to the play's legacy. Jordan was situated on the opposite side of the basket as Starks completed the move [1]. This framing created a visual contrast between the Knicks' energy and the Bulls' composure.
Starks reflected on the visual impact of the play and the presence of the league's most famous player in the frame. "I dunked on Horace Grant, but Mike got in the picture and made it look good," Starks said [1].
The play highlighted the physical nature of the 1993 series, where the Knicks attempted to use aggression to disrupt the Bulls' rhythm [1]. Despite the individual brilliance of the dunk, the Bulls continued their pursuit of the championship that season [1].
“"I dunked on Horace Grant, but Mike got in the picture and made it look good."”
The recollection of this specific play underscores the cultural significance of the Knicks-Bulls rivalry. By highlighting the presence of Michael Jordan in the periphery of the dunk, Starks illustrates how individual achievements in that era were often measured against the standard of Jordan's dominance.
