John Starks on Knicks: 'They represented New York in a big way this year'

"The loyal fan New York fan base deserves the Knicks clinching the playoffs for the first time since 2013. And now, when you have to play the New York Knicks, you know you have to fight until the very end," Cam said. "The Knicks have not received this type of attention in the NBA since the 1990’s when they were dominant. From playing efficient defense to being tied [for] third in the league in three-point percentage, New York finally has something to celebrate...

"The hard work that New York has put into this season has made New York proud because they represent what New York is. When I think about New York, I think about grit, grind and people that are hungry. So I feel that the Knicks got their swag back from the Patrick Ewing days, and if you are going to get a win in Madison Square Garden, you’re gonna have to work very, very hard for it."

New York Knicks legend John Starks echoed Cam Singleton’s sentiments on an episode of The Rematch of him and Raekwon of The Wu-Tang Clan.

"I love the way they’re playing. I love their mentality. I said [it] when [Tom] Thibodeau got here -- the one thing you’re going to see in the Knicks is they will have an identity, which they haven’t had for some years. That they’re gonna come out there and play defense, and they’re gonna get after you. And it’s the same crew that they had last year, with the exception of a couple of rookies that came in -- IQ [Immanuel Quickley] [and] [Obi] Toppin -- but the same crew. They come in there and they battle. They get after you on the defensive end of the court. As you know, defense is going to give you a chance to win every single night, and they’re one of the top defensive teams in the league -- and their record has shown that. They got guys who are tough-minded and are going to go out there and give it their all every single night. And that’s what it takes in order to win in this league. Defense has been frowned upon for many years in this league, with the focus and attention being on the offensive end of the court."

Starks also had high praise for Thibodeau, who has changed the culture in his first year as head coach of the Knicks: "He has all but guaranteed maximum effort, which we were always told that coaches can’t teach, but he has. And he has guaranteed defense, which seems to be a lost art in the NBA...

“...When you have a coach that has that defensive mentality and puts that inside of a team, and they come out and teams don’t know what hit 'em, they’re like, 'Wait a minute, you’re not supposed to be playing defense. We’re supposed to just be running up and down and freelancing.' But no, these guys are getting after it. And that’s going to give them a chance to win every single night. So I love that attitude.” 

Starks had a lot of praise for the current roster of players, as well. He was more than complimentary on what he has seen from the entire team.

“I love having a young player like IQ; Immanuel Quickley comes in and really shows his leadership role. I love the way he plays the game," Starks said. "He’s not afraid to get out there and get in someone’s face, and we’re all able to see his maturity out there on the court. And Toppin, being from Brooklyn and wanting to come here and play and be back in his home city -- he has a lot of potential.

"And to watch Julius Randle and RJ Barrett and Mitch Robinson, D-Rose back here again, I love the fight and the grit, and they are really taking on the personality of the city. They represented New York in a big way this year.”