John Starks explains why the scouting report never worked on MJ: "Michael Jordan had no weakness in his game"
One of the most useful tools NBA players have when preparing to face an opponent is the scouting report. It breaks down every aspect of an opposing player's game, from their strengths and weaknesses to their tendencies and favorite moves. However, for former NBA All-Star John Starks, there was one player that no amount of preparation could stop: Michael Jordan.
In a talk with Jordan's former teammate, Stacey King, the former New York Knicks guard shared his experience defending Jordan during their many clashes in the 1990s. While most scouting reports analyzed an opposing player's habits and preferred spots on the hard court, Jordan's report simply stated, "Good luck."
No weaknesses
Even the greatest superstars in today's game have vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit. Take LeBron James, for instance — forcing him into jump shots rather than allowing him to drive to the basket can be an effective strategy. Similarly, Stephen Curry's performance can falter when confronted with relentless physical defense.
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However, such was not the case for "Air Jordan."
While some may immediately point out that Mike's lack of a reliable 3-point shot (he shot 32 percent for his career), MJ showed on numerous occasions that he could take and make long-distance shots when the situation arose. His complete game left all his foes, especially Starks, who was tasked with shadowing the latter for most of their games, in utter confusion and defeat.
"You normally get scouting reports on players, and you know, they show you their strengths and weaknesses. And you know, you, the guy that likes to go right, you jump on his right side and force him to go left. Guy like to go left, you force him, you know, to go right. Or you take certain things away from them," the 1997 Sixth Man of the Year winner said.
"Michael had no weaknesses in his game. The scouting report was: Good luck," he declared. "You know — he didn't have any weaknesses in his game."
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Related: "There was no one better than I've ever seen in my life" - Jerry West names the best scorer to ever use the backboard
The most well-balanced athlete
Starks was best known for his tenacity on the court. Despite the overwhelming odds, he not only made it to the NBA but also succeeded in the league, playing 13 seasons. While John never backed down from the challenge of defending the GOAT, he knew what he was in for every time they faced off.
"There's nothing that you could take away from him. You know, he developed a three-point shot. He was a good low-post player. You know, he could take you off the dribble, either hand. And he was a great defender. And so, that's what made him so tough," Starks shared.
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John also pointed out another thing that set Mike apart from all the other superstars in the league: his sense of balance. No matter how physical the defense was, MJ could always hold his ground and stay on course toward the basket.
"I always tell people this: He probably was the most well-balanced athlete that I'd ever played against," Starks revealed. "You rarely see him take off-balance shots. And what made him so special, I think, is his mind. His mind would oversee anything out there on the court. And I think that's what made him so special."
Considering the clashes he and MJ had in the 1990s, Starks' comments hold a lot of weight. While the Bulls were the most dominant team of that era, the Knicks, with their relentless physicality, gave them a run for their money.
Related: Starks didn't think his iconic dunk over Jordan was memorable: "It's funny because I didn't think none of it"
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