6x NBA Champion Scottie Pippen Makes ?Sour? Admission on Relationship With Phil Jackson: ?He Was Never in My Corner?

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen propelled the city of Chicago to prominence. The duo achieved an impressive feat of winning 6 NBA championships together, boasting a flawless 6-0 record in the NBA Finals. Chicago’s impressive feat, however, was built on the backbone of coach Phil Jackson’s triangle offense.

Jackson holds a record of 11 NBA championships throughout his coaching career. While Scottie Pippen has been critical of Michael Jordan’s greatness, he has also made a rather unfavorable admission regarding his former coach.

Scottie Pippen sheds light on his relationship with Phil Jackson

Chosen as the 5th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, Scottie Pippen began his professional journey under the guidance of Phil Jackson, the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. With Jackson’s mentorship, Pippen flourished and established himself as a highly talented player. He achieved significant success in the league, earning numerous accolades, including multiple All-Star selections and All-NBA honors. Despite these achievements, Pippen harbors a strained relationship with his former coach from the Chicago Bulls.

In a recent episode of the Stacey King’s Gimme The Hot Sauce Podcast, Pippen was questioned about his relationship with his former head coach Phil Jackson.

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Pippen expressed that he doesn’t share any kind of relationship with Jackson. He hasn’t spoken to Jackson since his playing days. He explains that during his time with the Portland Trailblazers, they competed against the Lakers in early 2000. Jackson at that time was the Lakers‘ head coach. Their relationship became bitter from that series due to the Lakers-Portland rivalry.

He says “I respect his coaching. He’s great at what he does but he’s just a different kind of a guy. I never fell away from the game, that he was in my corner.”?This is not the only time when Pippen has expressed his feelings, calling Jackson a racist.

Scottie Pippen once called Phil Jackson a racist

Scottie Pippen released his book titled “Unguarded,” which created a stir. In an interview on the Dan Patrick show, Pippen made the controversial statement of calling his former coach, Phil Jackson, a “racist.” After Jordan’s 18-month hiatus, Pippen took on the role of the Chicago Bulls star player. However, in the 1993 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks, Pippen acted in an unconventional manner. With the Bulls trailing 101-102, Jackson designed a play for Tony Kukoc to take the final shot, which did not sit well with Pippen.

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As a result, he refused to take the court. Despite the Bulls winning the game with Kukoc’s buzzer-beater, Pippen faced substantial criticism for his actions. During his appearance on the Dan Patrick show, Pippen suggested that Jackson’s decision to give Kukoc the last shot was influenced by his race, as Kukoc was white.