Michael Jordan VS Scottie Pippen - who was better?

[beau_boy04]

I'm pretty sure this are the some of the questions that most of us have avoided so far so here they are:

1. Who was a better defender?

2. Who was a better all-around player?

Jordan 1072 g, 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.35 spg, .83 bpg
Pippen 1178 g, 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.96 spg, .80 bpg

As as you can see according to the stats MJ was clearly superior than Pippen as far as numbers are concerned. But most are saying that Pippen was the best perimeter defender of all-time. Pippen never won a Defensive Player of the Year, MJ did.

And to the second question MJ once averaged 32.5 ppg, 8 rpg and 8 apg while Pippen most impressione all-around numbes are 21 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 7 apg.

MJ played the SG position and Pippen was supposed to get better all around numbers because he played the SF position, however the numbers shows they were pretty equal in Assist and Rebounds.

What do you think?

[#12]

jordan

[Its_asdf]

Pippen was the better all-around defender. What seperated Pippen from Jordan was probably Jordan's ability to singlehandedly crush other teams while making it look easy.

[Drex]

I'd say Pippen to both. He was the main defensive guy on D. He directed the other Bulls, even Jordan.
On offense, he also was the one bringing the ball up court. He could do anything like Jordan, except the insane scoring.

[Jugs]

I'd say Pippen to both. He was the main defensive guy on D. He directed the other Bulls, even Jordan.
On offense, he also was the one bringing the ball up court. He could do anything like Jordan, except the insane scoring.

Agreed.

[Andrew]

I disagree there Drex. While you could maybe call Scottie Pippen the primary ballhandler, Michael Jordan brought the ball up quite a lot of the time and the offense was mostly run through him. If anyone on the floor was directing the offense it was Jordan.

It's a really close call on both questions. Some might give the edge to Pippen defensively because of his ability to guard taller players, draw charges without flopping and whatnot, but I still think some people underrate Jordan's defense (especially those who say he couldn't and wouldn't defend). I'm actually going to call this one even.

The second question is also pretty difficult to answer. Statistically Michael Jordan was better but Scottie was always known for his all-around play. There's two ways of looking at it, in my opinion. Pippen is the better "all-rounder"; when it comes to playing the jack-of-all-trades, all-around role, Pippen is the better player. But Michael Jordan's defense is just as good and his offense is superior, which would also suggest that he was the best player at both ends and all over the court.

What is clear is that together, they were perhaps the most lethal duo at both ends of the court especially in their "Doberman" days.

[J@3]

What seperated Pippen from Jordan was probably Jordan's ability to singlehandedly crush other teams while making it look easy.

Oh is that all

[Matthew]

Yeah how dare MJ make it look easy .

The only time they were truely equals was in 95 when jordan returned for the final 17 regular season games, and the first 4 games of the 98 playoffs. Other than that, MJ was head and shoulders above everyone else, and that includes pippen.

Just to put things into perspective:
Jordan = best player ever
Pippen = best role player ever
Jackson = best coach ever?
Rodman = best rebounder ever?

96 Bulls= best team ever.

[J@3]

Luc Longley = Best player ever named Luc

[Matthew]

Jae thats an idea for you. Why dont you start a franchise in live or espn with players that have the same first name?

[J@3]

I was going to start one with either the leagues best alcoholics or players who couldve been good but were hit by injuries that made them somewhat useless. I'm leaning towards the alco's, or alternatively a team full of Shawn Kemp's children.

[Andrew]

alternatively a team full of Shawn Kemp's children.

You do realise NBA Live only supports 15 players on a roster, right?

According to that recent article, the actual number is 8. That's still enough for an active roster.

[Matthew]

You could also choose a cheerleading squad from the girls that magic gave aids too

[J@3]

You could also choose a cheerleading squad from the girls that magic gave aids too

That's cold

We're just playing basketball. It's not like we're going out to have unprotected sex with Magic.

[Matthew]

Did you hear the rumour that Dennis Rodman gave Magic aids?

[cklitsie]

We're just playing basketball. It's not like we're going out to have unprotected sex with Magic.

OMG, that's like my favorite quote of all-times (of ANYONE not only NBA).

[Fenix]

I would rather have Pippen on my team, but still - when all is said and done, MJ comes out as the greatest of all time.

[air gordon]

i think before pippen came into his own, jordan was equal to pippen on defense, possibly even better. definitely took more risks. he was still young then and really tried to and could do everything on both sides of the ball. back in '88 where he blocked 131 shots & got 259 steals (the 2nd yr in a row of getting 100+blks/200+stls) was amazing, let alone a guard doing that

but once pippen matured, we never got to see that 'old' jordan. it was always pippen who took on the best scorer. and later in his career, even players like harper and scott burrell would take on the 2nd best scorer, instead of jordan.

as far as overall game, jordan. he could dominate both sides of the ball. pippen could occasionally could take over games on offense but not on a consistent basis

though i will say pippen probably had a better offensive awareness in terms of non scoring then jordan. jordan would drive to the lane, get triple teamed, throw a line drive pass 1ft away, and expect his teammate to catch the ball. and if his teammated didn't catch it, he'd say "catch the fuckin' ball". it wasn't like that all the time but jordan wasn't exactly the best teammate and it was hard to earn his respect

pippen is no angel himself but he was more patient and understood better at what spots his teammates were comfortable receiving a pass

[beau_boy04]

Wowww I didn't know Jordan was such a bad teammate, but thanks for the info.

One of the main difference between Jordan and Pippen, was that Jordan could dominate at ease and take over a game consistently. You can't say the same thing about Pippen. I watched too many Bulls game and Pippen was good offensively but not great.

I don't considered Pippen as the best role player ever. Pippen was more than a role player. Role players would be Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Luc, and others.

[Jona]

I don't considered Pippen as the best role player ever. Pippen was more than a role player. Role players would be Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Luc, and others.

Totally agree on that.

[Jackal]

Agreed, he was the second star on the team. I wonder how many people consider Kobe or Kareem a role player.

[Matthew]

I say he's a role player becuase he didnt dominate offensively. Kareem was a role player towards the end of his career.

though i will say pippen probably had a better offensive awareness in terms of non scoring then jordan. jordan would drive to the lane, get triple teamed, throw a line drive pass 1ft away, and expect his teammate to catch the ball. and if his teammated didn't catch it, he'd say "catch the fuckin' ball". it wasn't like that all the time but jordan wasn't exactly the best teammate and it was hard to earn his respect

What about Pippen refusing to go into the game in the final seconds of game 3 of the 94 series with the knicks? I understand why he didnt, but it wasnt a move a great teamate would make.

Jordan was looking for results. Most of the time he'd be driving into tiple teams, and setting up his teamates for wide open jumpers. If you exerted that much energy and a teamate couldnt move one foot forward to catch the ball, you'd be pissed too.

[Goldenstatewarrior]

Jordan. Just his presence imidiates everyone on the court.

[patrixxx73]

I'm pretty sure this are the some of the questions that most of us have avoided so far so here they are:

1. Who was a better defender?

2. Who was a better all-around player?

Jordan 1072 g, 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.35 spg, .83 bpg
Pippen 1178 g, 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.96 spg, .80 bpg

As as you can see according to the stats MJ was clearly superior than Pippen as far as numbers are concerned. But most are saying that Pippen was the best perimeter defender of all-time. Pippen never won a Defensive Player of the Year, MJ did.

And to the second question MJ once averaged 32.5 ppg, 8 rpg and 8 apg while Pippen most impressione all-around numbes are 21 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 7 apg.

MJ played the SG position and Pippen was supposed to get better all around numbers because he played the SF position, however the numbers shows they were pretty equal in Assist and Rebounds.

What do you think?

The statistics already showed my answer!

1. Who was a better defender?

Jordan 1072 g, 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.35 spg, .83 bpg
Pippen 1178 g, 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.96 spg, .80 bpg

As as you can see according to the stats MJ was clearly superior than Pippen as far as numbers are concerned. But most are saying that Pippen was the best perimeter defender of all-time. Pippen never won a Defensive Player of the Year, MJ did.

Isn't it obvious? The answer is already there!

[Kemp]

I take Jordan, he is the one man show. Though I also like Pippen very much. Pippen sometimes struggle on the offensive ends but very consistent on the defensive ends. Meanwhile, Jordan can do both ends every game. Jordan is better overall.