While things still get testy from time to time, today’s NBA is generally amiable, with most players being cordial with one another. This is a far cry from the competitive environment of the 1990s, in which players genuinely didn’t like one another.
In fact, according to John Starks, a guy who thrived during that era, players didn’t just compete for wins; they competed for roster spots, creating a highly tense atmosphere.
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Players had to earn every dollar and cent
After going undrafted, Starks had to take the long route to NBA stardom. So he was well-equipped for the grind required to make a name for himself.
Starks recalled that he didn’t even make a million a year in his first few seasons in the league. But to someone who once had to play in other domestic leagues to make ends meet, the money he did make already felt like a million.
“Back then, you had to gain respect. Guys wasn’t giving it to you. You know what I mean? Because that’s jobs back then. The money wasn’t that great first starting out. I remember I made $100,000 my first year and I thought it was like gold,” Starks remembered.
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“Then I started living in LA and started seeing chop, chop, chop — taxes, living expenses, this and that. I’m like, ‘$10,000? This what we going home with, baby,'” he continued.
With each team allowed 12 active players on the roster, competition was fierce, and only the strongest of mind and body survived. Fortunately for Starks, he wasn’t new to this cutthroat environment and never backed down from anyone, whether that was a teammate or an opponent.
“It was totally different back then. But you had to earn your respect. These guys wasn’t giving it up,” he said.
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Players tested your manhood
When old-school guys describe today’s NBA as “soft,” they’re often dismissed as haters. However, what they fail to recognize is the truth behind that statement.
Whereas today physicality is allowed only to a certain extent, back then it was the name of the game. And according to Starks, this was because the players wanted to see if you had what it took to play in the NBA. Handchecks, hip checks, body bumps, everything was fair game. If the referee didn’t blow his whistle, everyone kept on playing regardless of the blood that had already been spilt.
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“When you step out on that court, you know that in order for you to stay in this league, they going to test your manhood,” Starks said. “Back then, they going to test your manhood. See if you really belong here. See if you really want this smoke.”
Starks stepped up to many opponents during his time in the league. However, one player who consistently got his goat was Indiana Pacers superstar Reggie Miller. The two had a genuine dislike for one another, and every clash between them felt more like a street fight than a basketball game.
Things came to a boil during their first-round showdown in 1993, when Starks couldn’t contain his emotions and headbutted Miller, leading to his ejection from Game 3.
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“I got the ball, went down and scored on him. He was running back up court. Man, I got close, bro, and everything inside of me said, ‘Please don’t hit this man.’ Everything inside of me. I know it’s a playoff game. Don’t hit this man,” Starks said. “And he just got close to me and everything just came up. I’m like, bow.”
Headbutting someone in today’s NBA will undoubtedly have hefty repercussions, including a massive fine and a multi-game suspension. However, Starks was fined only $5,000 for that infraction and wasn’t even suspended.
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Such was the NBA landscape during the ’90s, and Starks was absolutely right that players had to bring it every night or risk getting bullied into submission.
Related: John Starks opens up about the most disappointing moment as a Knick: “I let the city down”
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.