I learned to play (as in life) without fear in part from former Knicks star John Starks...
Starks never stepped back from taking the big shot, taking on the superstars of his day or just generally stepping up/forward when it was time to be counted. When you remember that he played for the Knicks in one of the greatest media markets on the planet, it becomes even more impressive as missing the game winner or failing to stop the other team’s star was sure to make him the target of critical commentary and headlines the next day.
I had the chance as part of a promotion for the brand I worked for to travel with him in Italy, but I wouldn’t claim to know him. But what I saw from where I stood was someone who loved what he did, someone who lived without fear and someone who did what he thought was right based on his own best judgement not based what others may recount later. For those values demonstrated through actions not words, I am forever grateful to him.
Thank you John Starks, you will always be remembered by me (and I’m sure many others) for more than simply a dunk over the man many call the GOAT,
Image from: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/john-starks---basketball-player?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=john%20starks%20-%20basketball%20player
