Starks Gets First Coaching Win

Before his inaugural game as coach of the USBL Westchster Wildfire, John Starks had the major yips. "I was sitting upstairs in the coach's room, shaking," he smiled after his team's convincing 110-100 victory over the Pennsylvania Valleydawgs. "First, I thought I was really nervous -- then I realized the heat wasn't on. Then I realized that I was nervous -- AND the heat wasn't on."

Whatever. His team, practicing together for just a couple of weeks, looked cohesive and well-coached in defeating the veteran Valleydawgs, an outfit that came into the game with a 70-46 USBL record -- not to mention a roster that has been together for years. "Each USBL team can protect eight players -- so it's really remarkable to beat a team like this the first time out," said Wildfire owner Gary Lieberman. "John is something." "Well, I had a great supporting 'staff'", the eight-year Knicks veteran nodded. "First Jeff Van Gundy called to wish me luck and lay some advice on me. Then Patrick (Ewing), my best buddy (Knicks assistant coach) Herb (Williams), and Coach Chaney. They all called to give me some pointers before the game. And, believe me, I used every bit of their advice."

He must have. His team -- playing hardnosed team defense, looking for each other beautifully on the attack, and getting on the boards with a vengeance -- jumped out to an 8-0 lead and, after weathering some difficult moments here and there, never really looked back. And the Wildfire did all that with a frontline featuring noone who's ever been in the NBA -- or measured over 6-9 -- while facing 7-1 Yinka Dare (three years with the Nets), 7-4 Keith Closs (four seasons with the Clippers), and 6-11 almost-pro (he was a second round draftchoice with Denver) Jason Lawson. "Well, you know, it's not really about size," said Starks. "It's about playing together like a real team, with the best chemistry."

"Tonight, that was us."

Wildfire point guard Vonteego Cummings, a three year NBA vet with the Sixers and Warriors, ran the team with a solid smooth, displaying a vast willingness to dish and good eye for finding the open man. Power forward Lance Williams (24 points, 11 rebounds) was a monster up front, and UMass shotblocking wiz Kitwana Rhymer -- a 6-9 pogo-stick with muscles coming out of his muscles -- proved that he could be a professional shotblocking wiz one day. "Kit really showed up -- but all my guys were very hungry," glowed Starks. "They all worked very hard in practice, and it showed. I'm telling you, these are kids who want to get somewhere."

Starks barely sat on the bench, jumping up, coaching, and teaching the whole game. "I played with passion," he smiled. "Now I coach with passion, I guess." He didn't pull players, building confidence by allowing them to play through mistakes. But, once on the bench, he'd point out things immediately, not wasting even a moment of opportunity to teach.

The players, playing with focus and passion, loved it. So did the crowd: the healthy 2,435 surrounding the beautifully appointed court at the Westchester County Center in White Plains had a great time, giving Starks and his hustling team one thunderous ovation after another.

"I felt like I was back in my playing days," the appreciative Starks smiled after the game. "The only difference is, I have a headache right now. I never had one of those when I played."

Still, getting guys who all want to shine individually play like a real team after just two weeks of practice? That's quite an accomplishment these days; it was evident that, having once toiled for three junior colleges, the CBA, and the WBL before hitting the bigtime on Broadway, Starks is relating to his players like few coaches ever have. "The fact that I did have hard times and I was in the same situation these guys are in has allowed them to be comfortable with me," he said, one arm halfway around the hugely happy, 290-pound Williams. "They know where I came from. And they know that, in spite of all that, I didn't just get to the NBA but was able to sustain a long career. That's what they're all working for. That's what they all want."

"That's my ultimate goal, too," added Starks. "To get back to the big leagues as a coach. As I told my guys, we're all in the same boat now."