Poor Starks. He stayed with MJ as best as any human possibly could.

The greatest era in NBA history

Show some respect for Starks. He came from bagging groceries to being one of the top SGs in the league in a few short years. And he went at MJ at full force every night, gotta respect that. For many players the pressure of playing against MJ was too much, Starks wasn't one of them.

LeBron could only dream of being as great as MJ

Man I miss 90's basketball

when you can put up 54 points while shooting 60% you know your the GOAT

NBA on NBC every Sunday wish I could turn back the hands of time

Whats amazing is that Starks was playing very good defense. Amazing.

It's freaky how long Jordan is able to stay at the peak of his jump before he shoots or dunks the ball.

Can't blame Starks. Jordan is just too good.

1993 is when Jordan was his best in my opinion. Even though in 1988 he had better stats. In 93 he had everything, the patented jumper, and the fade away. He still had an explosive first step. He lost that step when he went to baseaball and came back, and its unfortunate. Any Jordan hater should be thankful he went to baseball cuz he would probably have had 8 rings.

No other player could rip apart a defense specifically designed to destroy you individually like Michael did to the Knicks. These Knicks in the 90s were the defensive team of the decade. And Jordan made them look stupid time after time after time. As a Knicks fan, it is proof that Jordan was the greatest player in his era AT THE VERY LEAST, and quite possibly the greatest of all time.

My favorite thing about MJ is that, when he gets on a roll, he starts running back on defense as soon as the shot leaves his hand. Supreme confidence

MJ in his prime could average 45 PPG in today's NBA given the current defensive rules and a watered down league full of one-and-done prima donnas. He would be unstoppable. As for defenders his own height, shorter powerful players like Joe Dumars were most effective guarding MJ, and even then the Pistons had to resort to double- and triple-teaming him and punishing him with physical play that is banished from today's game. Calling MJ "overrated" is one of the most absurd comments on KZfaq.

starks actually played some good D. almost every shot was highly contested. but was just too good

Michael Jordan Last Name: EVER First Name: GREATEST

when basketball was real. when there were REAL rivalries and no sub .500 teams being in the playoffs

Jordan claimed Starks as a Dependent on this TaxReturn..that was personal!..Straight WORK!..

Jordan dropped 54 points vs. the NBA's No.1 defense in a pivotal playoff game under the old rules. That's more impressive than scoring 81 vs. the second worst defense in the NBA (Raptors) during a regular season game under the weak rules of today that favor perimeter players.

54 points against the one of the best defenders in NBA, it's amazing!!

What people don't understand is that Mike did this against a very tough defense team. Imagine if Mike played today with these pushy rules ha ha ha.

Michael Jordan is unquestionably the greatest player of all time. If you are a MJ fan or a true basketball fan, you can't miss "MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LEGEND OF THE GREATEST (Final Version)": 5 hours and 5 minutes in honor of his greatness. Link: MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LEGEND OF THE GREATEST (Final Version) or an earlier version: Link: MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LEGEND OF THE GREATEST (by Balthus23) NEW VERSION!

"He can't guard me. He can't guard me!"

Basketball at it's best! U don't see these guys giving the "call me later" look or kisses n hugs to opposing players after the game...when it's playoff time it's a war, wtf happened to the NBA 'shaking my head'

Who said jordan couldn't shoot the 3 ball

3:53 mark.. Brings back so much memories.. the NBA on NBC. Man I miss those days man.

look at how loud that old chicago stadium was, wow.

18 of 30 6 of 9 (3pt) 54 pts Just..... wow.

Mj won 3 chp in a row go play baseball come back win 3 more chp in a row who could do that. Please!!!!!!

Jordan's will to win is unmatchable! Such an inspiration to the world! LeBron's ridiculous physique may be like that of a machine, but there is a boy who is operating the controls. Once he 'man's up' on the inside, he will gain the respect that will bring him closer to the legend that is Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant has such tenacity, and a brilliant shot, but he does not embody the presence of mind, and the strength that would bring him closer to the legend of Michael Jordan. These two are amazing athletes in their own right, and their game serves as testimony to the greatness of Michael Jordan. Had Michael Jordan not existed, they would have been ranked at the highest level, …but had he not existed, well just imagine the difference in the way they would play the game! That is how great MIchael Jordan is.

To me this was Mike greatest playoff performance outside of the garden party...Why i say that? well let see...his team was down 2 to 1 and if they had lost then the knicks wouldve been up 3 to 1 and i dont think this bulls team wouldve been able to came back and forced a game 7 and the 1993 finals wouldve been suns vs. knicks instead....so he had to drop 54 cause this was a crucial game 4 and the knicks were the number 1 defense in the league which made it more amazing

This was a Crazy Game, because the Bulls had taken such a huge media bashing which in turn Angered #23 which brought fuel to this game. I mean, he was Determined to smash the Knicks and beat them no matter what during this game and it was AMAZING to watch this live. Get Michael Jordan to Fuel his Competitive Drive...and it's GG! These are one of those games. Unbelievable.

MJ=GOAT! Luv how he gets the ball back at 5:45 and scores

I like how after starks gets the three, Jordan is IN HIS FACE right back at him! thats a TRUE basketball player..

LIsten to that arena. That place was humming! I miss those days.

Oh my goodness! Starks was abused to no end on this game. I bet after the game he could barely moved after that pure, unaltered, unashamed BEATING!!!

What made it all the much better was that these two teams just absolutely hated each other. Hated losing to each other. Gave it everything they had all the time. I miss passion like this, and rivalries like this, in today's NBA.

All jumpers.

A time when defence existed and the greatest that ever played, humiliated that defence.

Jordan is probably the greatest of all time and I am grateful to get to watch many of his games in the nineties. He is also my favorite player, but I love Kobe Bryant too, both had similar games. No need to hate one and love the other.

MJ = Basketball God

Nobody takes over like Mike!

I enjoyed seeing MJ shred him, but I like Starks. His talent would abandon him from time to time but he never lacked effort. Glad he made it here from small beginnings.

please dont MENTION the name Lebron here! lol

M.J. Once again butchered the Knicks defense

I always go back to the John starks dunk on Jordan and Grant, well it makes me fell better at least for the moment being a die hard Knick fan.

GOAT. goodbye

Basketball during the Jordan era was the best! Jordan was the best.

This was right after a columnist published a piece saying that Jordan was losing his edge. I'm a Knicks fan and all I can remember thinking was "He's pist...and he's unleashed holy hell on us." I was 7 at the time. Jordan made kids think of such things, tbh.

good old days.

Loved Starks defense

Michael Jordan : Half-Man...Half-Amazing!

MJ ultimate warrior

I know there will be someone out there who thinks he's smarter than other people. So he'll begin to philosophize about Magic "The Greatest"..bla..bla.. Jabbar.. bla bla.. Chamberlain.. or.. bla..bla..Bird - or even bla..bla..LJ/Kobe...Someone will say: MJ was just a scorer...He couldn't pass.; or he was just dunks and layups...etc.Lol! Really??! And without Scottie? Poor MJ (: How many ridiculous comments I've read on youtube so far...!? I think you guys need to study more. I would modestly like to suggest watching this "Michael Jordan - The legend Of The Greatest" to remove all those fucking bullshit....mmm.. pardon.. your prejudices. Link: MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LEGEND OF THE GREATEST (Final Version) Link: MICHAEL JORDAN: THE LEGEND OF THE GREATEST (by Balthus23) NEW VERSION!

That's what the greatest player to ever play the game looks like. Let the ridiculous comparisons cease.

John Starks has been the best and toughest defender in the shooting guard position in the history of the sport. He has locked Miller and Jordan, 2 of the best shooting guards of all time, many times in single-digit. The way he has defended them in general is better than any other who has defended them. And before the hand-checking banishment before the 1994-'95 season, he played them even better.

4:55 Pat Riley's seen enough

G.O.A.T !!! All i gottaa say n all tht needs to b said !!!

remember when these dudes didn't have to slap 5 with the rest of the team every free throw?? remember??

This is proof enough !!! The greatest to EVER play !!! people who disagree are blind or just plain jealous !!

U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E!!!!

poor starks

What makes this even more impressive was that the Knicks were the NBA's No. 1 defensive team in 1993.

Look at Michael's quality of concentration. Relaxed and focused. Free from expectations. Just THAT

Jordan made Jhon Starks look like a rookie!!!!!!!!!

What's great about MJ is not just that he scored a lot of points. He also shot at a 50% shooting percentage.

damn 18/30 jordan a beast

Best ever

Mike would have been catching Flagrant Fouls all game if he was torching my team like this lol

His ability to take over a game at will when it really matters never ceases to amaze me. One of the greatest (or imo THE greatest) athletes in any sport.

The idea that Jordan couldn't dominate in today's game with its more 'complicated' defences is a fundamental misunderstanding about basketball defence which, regardless of the overall defensive scheme, relies primarily on individual match-ups. There was and is no individual match-up or team scheme that could stop Jordan (remember the Pistons' Jordan Rules?). That's what makes him the GOAT. Like a great boxer he could always figure out how to beat you, whether by defence or offense.

1:32 Starks gets up and already starts walking away when Jordan releases haha.

50+ points against a very tough defense like the Knicks' one that's incredible !!!

Freedrugs i think mj dunked on the likes of shaq ewing olojuwan robinson barkley and the list goes on and on he even dunked on stockcton and when some heckler said pick on someone your own size he dunked on the 7 footer and asked the heckler was he big enough.

1:25.. "u reach, i teach"

Thanks for uploading Balthus23! Beginning of 1990s that was the best time for basketball!

i hope kobe is watching this at home, kobe this is what a man that can bring a team together can do, even IF you did get that 6th ring you will never be jordan!

Starks was freaking great defender!! People dont know it untill they watch NY games. Jordan's every shot was taken with the hand on his face. Starks was using great technique against MJs shots, something like Battier today, just trying to cover eyes of the shooter, if you consider the fact that he was not tall then the impression is even bigger. Starks was 6,4-6,5 according to different sources, so guarding taller and stronger Jordan was extremely hard

This was a tough game for us to lose and I remember knowing that The Bulls were going to win the series because of the momentum they had after Jordan put on a show on my Knicks.

Watching this shit again feel like it was yesterday. Bulls vs Knicks get the blood flowing

Jordan did his thing...Once he is in a rhythm-you can't stop him.

7:40 classic jordan breaking knick hearts

He is the Goat. I can't even see why it would even be a question or a debate

He screwed starks over w/ that in & out

thanks a lot for this video!!

GOAT

Michael Jordan would score 75+ points against today's knicks..

the greatest basketball player on the planet

MJ=G.O.A.T . MJ takes over a game.

i never get sick of watching that little dance at 4:44. no dribble all about footwork and body fakes and look how much space he creates from there.

Against ppl his own height?? Starks was only a inch shorter then Jordan. Jordan has such elevation on his jumper that even 7 ft sometimes had a hard time contesting his shot. And if you've ever played basketball no one jumps as high as they can when they're playing perimeter D. One pump fake and you'd be completely out the picture.

G.O.A.T.!

Let the legend grow..

Wow i was born in 1993, i saw jorrdan play but you know, i was a kid so i wasnt really aware and observant of Jordans Play, i grew up watching Kobe and he is my favorite player, but after watching this game, i see who Kobe based his game off of, He based it off Jordan. i wish i grew up seeing both play but unfortunately i couldnt, Jordan is the G.O.A.T. but Kobe comes right after, i shake my head at the shots Jordan took, i only can dream about shooting those let alone making them.

As much as I hated the Riley Knicks from back then, for being kind of brash and dirty, at least I can't say they were ever a bunch of d-bags like some of the divas in today's NBA. They roughed you up, but they played hard and didn't give terrible excuses when they lost.

mj put a style in doc river face.

What a long night this was for J Starks. There really was nothing he could do here. Jordan was going to be Jordan.

The reff was calling alot of bs calls on the knicks and the bulls was getting away with alot of fouls. But I have to say Jordan was the man.

man i would love to see him do that in this day and age of basketball

i feel sorry for Starks...