For NBA fans from the 90s, their most vivid memory would probably be that of the Chicago Bulls. Under Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, the Bulls redefined people’s view of the sport. Combining for thousands of points and innumerable memories, Pippen and Jordan in particular were part of both three-peats of the side. Many years after their historic careers, however, it appears that the pair were never all that close.
56-year-old Scottie Pippen was a magnificent personality on the court. Yet, it always seemed like he played second fiddle to the great MJ. In the 2020 documentary, ‘The Last Dance’, fans got to witness a sneak peek of the legacy that the legendary Chicago setup left behind.
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But in the aftermath of the series, many stars of the yesteryears lashed out at Jordan and the show. They believed that the 10-episode entertainer solely glorified ‘His Airness’, and not the team in general. Following this, Pippen took to his memoir to destroy Jordan.
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Scottie Pippen reflects on his depleted equation with Michael Jordan
In his latest ‘Unguarded’ memoir, ‘Pip’ dished out a whole lot of dirt on his former teammates. In the process, he termed Jordan selfish and hypocritical. During a recent interview, the 7-time All-star also went on record to claim that he and his iconic compatriot were never close.
Addressing the same equation on ‘Good Morning America’, Pippen revealed that despite not being close, he and Jordan will always have respect for each other. “It [my equation with Jordan] wasn’t what you saw on the court. We always will have that respect for each other, but our friendship is not what people see on TV.” said Pippen.
“It wasn’t what you saw on the court. We always will have that respect for each other”
—Scottie Pippen on his relationship with Michael Jordan
(via @GMA)#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/BSlN8gseCq
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 🗣️ (@_Talkin_NBA) November 8, 2021
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In addition, Scottie was also asked if he thought Jordan would’ve been just as successful without him. To this, he replied, “No, but I don’t think I would be successful without him. I think we both complimented each other in a lot of different ways. And we kind of competed and pushed each other to be great.”
Clearly, everything isn’t hunky-dory in the Bulls setup that we so fondly remember. Yet, the memories that they left behind will be everlasting. Regardless of their personal equations, as Pippen said himself, they will always have that respect for one another.
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