John Starks, soon to turn 35 years old, needed a home. A home on a winning team that needed a shooting guard. Like the Utah Jazz.

Done deal.

The one-time NBA All-Star (1994) and Sixth Man of the Year (1996) Starks will join the old (but still great) Karl Malone and (the still very good) John Stockton in a quest for an initial NBA championship. Byron Russell is still the man at small forward, and various centers fill the job at the 5 position.

For Starks it was really about finding a team that actually needed him, rather than a team that would "like" to have him if they could find a way to fit him onto their rosters. Many losing teams need a John Starks, but very few winning teams don't have an established shooting guard on the squad already. This is perfect for John.

Karl Malone helped in convincing John to sign with Utah. Malone's house played a big role as well. A week before signing, Starks visited Malone's place and had the typical reaction of anyone lucky enough to see the place - he was awestruck.

Malone used his house to impress Starks, but also straightforward, simple honest statements. No circus. He didn't take Starks skydiving into a parade of trained seals. Malone showed off the beauty of Utah, and confimed what John was ready to accept - that the team really wanted him, and that together they would be in a position to challenge for an NBA championship.

John readily admits that he's a sore loser. Don't expect him to be too sore in Utah.

8/7/2000
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