Jan 26, 2018

John Starks delivers PIANY MetroRAP keynote address

After the awards were handed out during the MetroRAP keynote/awards luncheon, New York Knicks legend John Starks took the stage to deliver his keynote address. A crowd favorite in New York during his tenure with the Knicks from 1990-98, the city was a permeating presence throughout Starks’ speech.

Starks opened by recalling his early days playing for the Knicks and his first experiences in New York City. He spoke openly about his relationships with other players on the team, speaking with admiration for Patrick Ewing, calling Greg Anthony an underappreciated player and joking about the character of Charles Oakley. Starks also took time to address his infamous feud with Reggie Miller and express his admiration for Julius "Dr. J" Erving, whom he cited as his biggest influence growing up. While he readily admitted he was intimidated when he first arrived in New York, he spoke frequently of his love and affection for the community he has come to call home.

"This community means everything to me," he said. "It makes me feel good to be here and be a part of it. It means so much to me to be able to give back some small piece of myself to help this city grow."

While recalling the dynamics of the Knicks during his tenure, Starks described how the character of the city infiltrated how the team conducted itself. The team channeled the hard-working, tough character of the city into its motto, and it was able to execute and succeed because of the effort and hours put in during practice.

"Kind of like with what you all do," he said. "If you work hard and put in the work, then you’re going to get something out of it. That’s what our motto was."

His love for the community of New York City, his experience growing up and the central question of "What can I do to help others?" spurred Starks to start the John Starks Foundation. Founded in 1994, the foundation is dedicated to providing academic scholarships to New York City area students, based on financial need and academic excellence. He spoke with pride as he expressed his gratitude to sponsors and the hard-working individuals who have contributed to the longevity of his foundation

"New York gave me so much pleasure during my time playing that I had to give something back to New York City," he said. "And, that’s what makes me feel good every single day."

While speaking on the importance of community, Starks also recognized the commitment to community is inherent in the independent insurance agency system. "What you guys do is very special," he said. "The commitment that you give to your community is very special too. And, I commend each and every last one of you in here for doing that."