As a player, John Starks took the long way to fame and fortune in the NBA.

As a coach, the ex-New York Knick is trying a similar path.

Starks, who was a CBA All-Star long before he was an NBA All-Star, is back in basketball's minor leagues as the first-year coach of the Westchester (N.Y.) Wildfire. Like the players he coaches, Starks also has NBA dreams.

"I told these guys in the beginning, 'We're all in this together. We're all trying to aspire to get to the next level,'" said Starks, whose Wildfire meet the Brevard Blue Ducks at 7 tonight at Florida Tech's Clemente Center.

"I had to take the tough route to get there. I seen it. I understand it."