Bulls To Honor Pippen

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/37272/20050913/bulls_to_honor_pippen/

Bulls pick Dec. 9 vs. Lakers to retire Pippen’s jersey
By Mike McGraw
Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2005

The Bulls will retire Scottie Pippen’s No. 33 jersey at halftime of a Dec. 9 game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was never much question whether Pippen’s number would someday hang from the rafters at the United Center, even after he was traded to Houston in 1999 following the Bulls’ sixth championship.

Pippen’s relationship with the Bulls resumed when John Paxson took over as general manager in 2003. Paxson signed the then 37-year-old Pippen as a free agent that summer, though the return trip to Chicago didn’t work out as hoped. He played in just 23 games that season because of a chronically sore left knee and officially retired last September.

The game against the Lakers was a natural choice, because former Bulls coach Phil Jackson is back with Los Angeles after a year off and will be able to attend the ceremony.

The Bulls first acquired Pippen in a 1987 draft-night trade with Seattle. A fixture on the Bulls for the next 11 years, Pippen and Michael Jordan were the two players who were members of all six championship teams.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared in more NBA playoff games than Pippen, who totaled 208 during his 17 seasons. The only time Pippen’s team did not make the playoffs was his final year with the Bulls.

Pippen also has the most steals in NBA playoff history, ranks 10th in playoff points scored, made the NBA’s all-defensive first team eight years in a row from 1992-99 and was a seven-time all-star.

Regarded as the consummate team player, Pippen averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists during his career, which included four seasons in Portland and one with Houston.

I respect Pippen for what he has done in this league, such as showing why he is one of the 50 greatest players of all time, that he is an all-around player. Pippen is probably the best defender I have seem out of many players.

The good thing about retiring Pippen's jersey on that game against the Lakers is that both Pippen and Phil are there. That night will be very emotional for both Pippen and Phil, and the fans. Congratulation Pippen on your memorable career.

I knew it wouldn't be too long. Well-deserved and well-earned without a doubt.

what Andrew said, he's done so much for the Bulls. he deserved it

Pippen is the only 'other' player who was on all 6 Bulls' teams and complimented MJ almost perfectly. He deserves the recognition. People often forget Pippen's worth so this will surely reiterate that he was an important piece for the Bulls' success.

I hope MJ will also be there with Pip and Jax!

good of the bulls to retire his jersey. and sertainly good to do it on the lakers game

I knew it wouldn't be too long. Well-deserved and well-earned without a doubt.

^ ^ ^ ^

Always have and always will love Scottie.

Scottie Pippen was my 1st piece of basketball merchandise....got given a Bulls' hat for b-day and my brother had got Pippen #33 stitched/embroidered on the side or something, and everyone was like why didn't you get Jordan #23 on the side and all I could think to myself is that these people were idiots....

good to see Pip will take his rightful place up there beside MJ

I hope the game is broadcast on TNT/TBS or ESPN. I'd love to see the ceremony on TV.

yeah that needs to be on tv

what Andrew said, he's done so much for the Bulls. he deserved it

True
Hes a class act, and im very happy for him
Happy tears

This is great news Pippen is more deserving than I could possibly describe.

I always been a fan of Scottie. Props to him and good luck in the future.

All I will ever think about when I think of Pippen is 0.8 seconds... 0.8 seconds...

I hate to ask cause I know once you tell me I'll remember, but why 0.8 seconds?

lmao, indy. so you've been thinking about some other play the whole time

game 3 vs the knicks, there was 1.8 secs remaining in the game where pippen refused to check in..

anywho, it's about time they honor him

Very good.I loved his defense!

Pippen , Pippen . Loved that guy , I wish I was oldder though , that way I could've actually seen him play . Anyways I wish him the best luck with his life , and he had a wonderful basketball career . Very deserving of getting his jersey retired.

Este pippen will be accompanied by jordan?

he is one of my favorite player of all time. it would be nice if jordan can be there with phil and pip.

lmao, indy. so you've been thinking about some other play the whole time

game 3 vs the knicks, there was 1.8 secs remaining in the game where pippen refused to check in..

anywho, it's about time they honor him

Really? I seem to think it was 0.8 seconds... I'm sure you're right though.

To go in to more detail, he refused to check in because the play was set up for Toni Kukoc to get the final shot. Pippen, being the egomaniac that he is, wouldn't go in the game because he wanted to take the shot.

To go in to more detail, he refused to check in because the play was set up for Toni Kukoc to get the final shot. Pippen, being the egomaniac that he is, wouldn't go in the game because he wanted to take the shot.

Hey, if he can put up with MJ's ego for that long, than his own can't be that big.