Scottie Pippen: Food For Thought

[Andrew]

No, I don't miss him at all.

[Null17]

Another Scottie Pippen though: I hope he sticks around on the ESPN crew. Perhaps my favourite part of that arrangement is that he's replacing Stephen A. Smith.

Never knew, he was going to be ESPN. The part in bold is the best news ever

[Drex]

hava, I don't think anyone was comparing Pippen to MJ, they were just saying that he was a great player, and could be in the Top 50 withouh Mike.

[Null17]

Just saw the tribute ceremony thingie...it was pretty cool. Sucks that a lot of the speakers couldn't come

[Fenix]

Im still not one to give pippen the credit that some people give him. As far as comparing wat they did in respects to later in their career lets not go by just after the bulls lets be fair and show by age....

At 34 Jordan was leading the bulls to their 5th championship
At 34 Pippen was losing to the lakers in the conference finals
At 35 Jordan was leading the bulls to their 6th championship and MVP of the NBA
At 35 Pippen getting swept in round 1 by the lakers in which that year he averaged 10ppg, 4.6apg, 5rpg
At 39 Jordan was an Allstar 23ppg, 5.2apg, 5.7rpg
At 39 Pippen was not in the NBA
At 40 Jordan was again an Allstar with 20ppg, 4apg, and 6rpg
At 40 Pippen IS on ESPN as an NBA analyst

So please dont compare jordan vs. pippen cause by age as u can c how things reall stacked up

Another Scottie Pippen though: I hope he sticks around on the ESPN crew. Perhaps my favourite part of that arrangement is that he's replacing Stephen A. Smith.

As an NBA analyst i like him but the worse part is he has taken Stephen A. Smith's part. Stephen kept it real he was like the barkley of that show. Dont tell ME u wont miss him saying RASHO NESTEROVIC

Nobody said that Pippen and Jordan are similar type of player. Pippen was the ultimate team player (forget that 8 seconds episode), who played as much of a big part in the Bulls' offensive sets as Jordan did, just not with his scoring. His skillset was definitely unique for someone 6'8'' and even though he was just 'above average' and 'excellent' in most parts of his offensive game, but not great, you just can't say that those skills plus his abnormally high basketball IQ (I dare to say that he was a smarter player than Jordan) resulted in greatness in his own right. And I'm talking only about his O here. He was by far the best defensive player I have ever seen with his combination of smarts, athleticism and length. The fact that they gave Jordan a DPotY award and they didn't give Pippen even one, clearly shows how biased the fans, the media and the NBA were towards Jordan. When Jordan left to play baseball, Pippen had his legitimate MVP and DPotY season. I'm not trying to take anything away from Jordan, but Pippen was great and he surely deserves to be named for one of the 50 greatest players of all time. He was a heart and soul of those Bulls' teams of the 90', no doubt about it.

Regarding his ceremony - BS. There was more talk about his mistakes, than about his greatness. It looked like the biggest things he did were his dunk on Ewing and tapping everyone on their shoulders.

[air gordon]

Funnily enough, I actually managed to get hold of a Pippen jersey the other week, after all this time. Caught the ceremony on NBA.com (watched it today since the live feed didn't work yesterday), thought it was a really good tribute. Great to see all those former Bulls come together to honour Pip, who was visibly touched by the whole event. Great moment to see #33 up in the rafters, where it belongs.

Favourite moments:

When the banner was revealed in the spotlight.
Barkley's quip about MJ kissing the ground Pip walks on and the mirth it caused
The speeches by Jax, MJ and Pip
The announcement (and the reaction in the United Center) that no Bull would ever again wear #33

i was fortunate to have tickets for this event. i thought the bulls organization did a great job with it.

i was a little surprised with the turnout. it was either love or hate scottie pippen for chicago fans, and there were quite a few that hate him/don't give him the credit he's due. guess all the haters stayed home

it's about time #33 is up in the rafters

congrats to scottie on a wonderful career

[Bang]

Well if you think about, the only feasible scenario is that the Clippers did not make the trade for Olden Polynice. So Pippen would have rotted away in the Clippers, not being recognized like Elton Brand. He would've gotten one good season with Larry Brown...and then forgotten like the rest of the Clippers in that Larry Brown squad.

If somehow Pippen were traded to another team...I think he would have been a great player. He has both offensive and defensive skills. Some would argue that his defense surpassed Jordan...I think he would be top 50 overall...unless he was in the Clippers or teams like that.

[Andrew]

Well if you think about, the only feasible scenario is that the Clippers did not make the trade for Olden Polynice. So Pippen would have rotted away in the Clippers, not being recognized like Elton Brand. He would've gotten one good season with Larry Brown...and then forgotten like the rest of the Clippers in that Larry Brown squad.

Not sure how that scenario could have come about, unless there's something I'm missing. Pippen was drafted fifth overall in 1987 by the Supersonics, who then traded him to the Bulls for Olden Polynice who was taken with the 8th pick. Furthermore, back then Larry Brown was in between his stint with the Nets that ended in 1982 and his career with the Spurs that began in 1988. The Clippers aren't even part of the equation.

[MaD_hAND1e]

I think if Pippen didn't play with Jordan, he would've never been as good a player as he was, the same could probably be said with Jordan. I think the 2 had fed off and learnt off each other throughout their time in Chicago. Pippen was one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Jordan was probably the best offensive player in the league. Pippen practicing with the best offensive player in the league made him a better defender, and he could also learn Jordan's offensive skills. Jordan practicing with the best perimeter defender in the league made him a better offensive player, and he could improve on his own defensive skills.
I guess this argument is sort of a Chicken/Egg argument.

[Fenix]

I think if Pippen didn't play with Jordan, he would've never been as good a player as he was, the same could probably be said with Jordan. I think the 2 had fed off and learnt off each other throughout their time in Chicago. Pippen was one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Jordan was probably the best offensive player in the league. Pippen practicing with the best offensive player in the league made him a better defender, and he could also learn Jordan's offensive skills. Jordan practicing with the best perimeter defender in the league made him a better offensive player, and he could improve on his own defensive skills.
I guess this argument is sort of a Chicken/Egg argument.

Word.

[Bang]

Well if you think about, the only feasible scenario is that the Clippers did not make the trade for Olden Polynice. So Pippen would have rotted away in the Clippers, not being recognized like Elton Brand. He would've gotten one good season with Larry Brown...and then forgotten like the rest of the Clippers in that Larry Brown squad.

Not sure how that scenario could have come about, unless there's something I'm missing. Pippen was drafted fifth overall in 1987 by the Supersonics, who then traded him to the Bulls for Olden Polynice who was taken with the 8th pick. Furthermore, back then Larry Brown was in between his stint with the Nets that ended in 1982 and his career with the Spurs that began in 1988. The Clippers aren't even part of the equation.

OOps...It was Supersonics...I have no idea why I thought Clippers..Ugh.
Ok then...if he went into the Supersonics...then he probably wouldn't have had much playing time with Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis and Nate McMillan. Also, he probably wouldn't have been a point forward for that matter since they did have Nate McMillan. However, if they realized Pippen's potential, then you would have Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis, Nate McMillan and Tom Chambers in one team...scary. I guess they could have been the rivals of the Bulls, but I don't know if Pippen would have been the star player in that squad..

[havasufalls]

The NBA is about getting in the rite situation. I just believe that if u put pippen in jus about any other situation that he would not of been one of the 50 greatest. Players like Chauncey Billups who took a while to find the rite situation. Darko was the #2 pick and he has yet to do anything because of his situation (atleast i hope thats y he hasnt done anything). I just cant believe that pippen was that great. Alot of credit goes to the situation he was put in and i believe there are other players that could of stepped in and not necessarily did wat he did but did enough to get those rings.

[air gordon]

the nba is about getting in the "rite" situation AND succeeding

you're just in denial

[tsherkin]

Jordan would have won at least one title with the Bulls without Pippen. At least one.

The Bulls were carefully well-built around Jordan and had a great coach (Jackson). With Jordan's D and his incredible offensive arsenal, I think it's extremely likely he'd have taken a ring from someone during those first three title years even without Pippen... probably in '91, against an aged Lakers team.

A lot of people give Pip hell for one reason or another but the man did the 16, 6 and 5 thing on his career and became the iconic small forward. He had all the skills, he had the athleticism, he actually did pretty well without MJ in '94...

He'd have been an All-Star without Jordan, for sure. His top 50 status would have also remained... remember, Mitch Richmond is top 50 and Pip would have been better than him (better defender, more versatile, not as good a scorer).

[j.23]

Jordan would have won at least one title with the Bulls without Pippen. At least one.

The Bulls were carefully well-built around Jordan and had a great coach (Jackson). With Jordan's D and his incredible offensive arsenal, I think it's extremely likely he'd have taken a ring from someone during those first three title years even without Pippen... probably in '91, against an aged Lakers team.

A lot of people give Pip hell for one reason or another but the man did the 16, 6 and 5 thing on his career and became the iconic small forward. He had all the skills, he had the athleticism, he actually did pretty well without MJ in '94...

He'd have been an All-Star without Jordan, for sure. His top 50 status would have also remained... remember, Mitch Richmond is top 50 and Pip would have been better than him (better defender, more versatile, not as good a scorer).

i can see where you're coming from, but i disagree. i don't think jordan alone could've brought them any of the titles. it's no secret that jordan was incredible on both ends of the court, but the fact of the matter is he can only guard one person at a time. given that a lot of teams now (and then) usually have two stars on a team, it would've been impossible for him to guard both stars and keep both of them in check.

[tsherkin]

i can see where you're coming from, but i disagree. i don't think jordan alone could've brought them any of the titles. it's no secret that jordan was incredible on both ends of the court, but the fact of the matter is he can only guard one person at a time. given that a lot of teams now (and then) usually have two stars on a team, it would've been impossible for him to guard both stars and keep both of them in check.

Given that he was taking them past the first round with Pippen as a bench player, the hiring of Phil Jackson would have (IMO) enabled Jordan to be competitive enough to win one title, at least.

And remember, he was getting a really wicked deal (as far as Chicago was concerned) on his contract, so they would have had the freedom to look for some other FAs to fill the void a bit.

Pip and Jordan weren't the only defenders on those Bulls title teams; they were among the best TEAM defenses in the league, with excellent rotations, full-court trapping, etc.

[Andrew]

I don't disagree with you tsherkin but one nitpick: Mitch Richmond wasn't one of the 50 Greatest.

[tsherkin]

I don't disagree with you tsherkin but one nitpick: Mitch Richmond wasn't one of the 50 Greatest.

Yeah, I just realized that I was thinking of the NBA's Greatest Players list on nba.com/history.

Oops!

Anyway, my point stands, even if the details change just a tad.

[maes]

The 50 greatest list looks like it has 2 types of players: the best superstars in the game and the best team players in the game.

Yeah of course you see the Jordans, Birds, Magics on the list. But at least half if not more of the list are players that play hard, set good picks, make the extra pass. Pippen, Worthy, McHale, DeBusschere. Worthy's career 17 & 5 doesn't really come close to Nique's career 24 & 7. And while Pippen wasn't the Bull's #1 option, DeBusschere was the #4 option in NY behind Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Bill Bradley.

[beau_boy04]

Pippen - one of the best all around players of all time.

Pippen - one of the best perimeter defender of all time.

that makes Pippen - one of the best player of all time.

[baseline bum]

Pippen went to houston and portland to do jus about nothing. He didnt do much in portland cause anything they did they could of did without him cause they were talented. I wont say pippen lacked the will to win more like he lacked the will to not except losing as an option

He led them from down 1-3 to a 67-win team, and had them one quarter from the Finals.

Rodman well thats one of my fav players of all time but he did nothing after he left bulls but he did damage with detroit anyways

Rodman was a denfensive monster with Detroit, and average 17-18 rebounds every year for San Antonio, although he did cost the Spurs the 95 title with his refusal to run back in transition or guard Horry.

Harper didnt do much at all with LA

Harper led the Clippers to the playoffs though before being with Jordan... and he hit the game-winner in game 3 of the 2000 WCF on Portland's homecourt when it looked like the Blazers were about to take control of that series. Derek Fisher was garbage at that time, and he and Derek Harper were a big reason the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs the year before. Ron Harper was the only really significant addition to the Lakers roster that year and they went from being the most disappointing team in the NBA to 67 wins and a title.

Kerr got about .00000001 mins per game with San Antionio

Kerr hit 4 three pointers and completely shut down Steve Nash in game 6 of the 2003 WCF to lead the Spurs back from a 13-point 4th quarter deficit in Dallas. His defense led a 23-0 run in the 4th quarter of that game when Nash could not get by Kerr to save his life.

While it's true that Kerr was next to worthless on the 99-01 Spurs, he was a huge part of the 2003 championship team. He was the backup point for most of the season after Speedy Claxton got hurt, and he did an outstanding job at it. He was a great option off the pick and roll (I specifically remember one game in Memphis where he hit a shot to send it into OT before Duncan hit the game-winner in OT) and the offense really started to gel when he got minutes at the backup point (the team started something like 10-10, and then completely destroyed the rest of the league from there on out).

Im sorry but wen i watch games jus as game 5 of the finals wen Jordan was sick and scores all the points for the bulls in the begining sits down and u watch pip and the rest of them jus stick up the floor jus for jordan to have to come back in to save them jus really shows how jordan made them.

What about game 6 of the 92 Finals when Jordan was stinking the place up and Portland entered the fourth up 15? Pippen and Bobby Hansen owned the fourth quarter of that game with Jordan on the bench, and it wasn't until Scottie brought Chicago within a point or two that Jordan came back in.


To me Pippen is the most underrated player in NBA History (with David Robinson a close second). He's the best defensive player I've ever seen. He could shut down passing lanes, he was an excellent shot-blocker for someone who played the perimeter, he could stay in front of anyone in his prime, he was an amazing athlete, an outstanding ballhandler, a great passer, he had a ton of shots and the ability to score in the post, off the dribble, or as a stand-still jumpshooter with 3-point range.

Pippen did a lot for Jordan's game. Before Pippen MJ was the main offensive initiator and had a reputation as a ball-hog. His rep was 10x worse than anything you hear about Kobe these days. Pippen allowed Jordan to become strictly a scorer on the offensive side of the ball.

I'm not trying to say anything bad about MJ. I don't see how anyone who ever saw him in his prime could argue that he isn't the GOAT... but 1 player can't do it all. Wilt only won 1 title as the #1 option on his team, and only when he moved to Philadelphia to play with fellow top-50 players Hal Greer and Billy Cunningham.