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Former NBA star Scottie Pippen talks with the media as NBA Golden State Warriors hold practice in downtown Oakland, Ca.on Fri. May 18, 2018. (Photo by Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1268537286.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
Former NBA star Scottie Pippen talks with the media as NBA Golden State Warriors hold practice in downtown Oakland, Ca.on Fri. May 18, 2018. (Photo by Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan left the Chicago Bulls in 1993. With this, the keys to the Chicago Bulls were handed over to the great Scottie Pippen. And to no one’s surprise, he took on the challenge and led the franchise with everything he had. He was an All-Star in 1994 and even won the All-Star Game MVP. But one month earlier, Pippen had an unfortunate run-in that put him behind bars.
Scottie Pippen was the superstar of the Chicago Bulls. Once Jordan was gone, he led the Bulls by himself while averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. But on January 20, 1994, Pippen did not have one of his best nights. Both on and off the court.
Scottie Pippen spent time in jail
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That day, the Bulls faced the Washington Bullets, and Scottie Pippen struggled the whole night and scored only 15 points. Yet the Bulls won with a score of 84-83. After the match, Pippen decided to head out to Illinois to celebrate and have dinner at a restaurant.
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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 04: Scottie Pippen Attends Market America Conference 2016 at American Airlines Arena on February 4, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images)
But as Pippen enjoyed his meal, the police gathered outside the restaurant to check on Pippen’s car, which was illegally parked. And to everyone’s surprise, Pippen had a loaded 38-caliber pistol in the car.
Even though he is a high-profile athlete, the police treated him like any other civilian and charged him with illegal possession. Pippen had a license to own the gun, but in Illinois, it’s illegal to have it out in public. Hence, it is a misdemeanor.
He was arrested, and Pippen spent 45 minutes in jail before he was let go after paying a cash bond of $100. Later, Pippen made a public apology for his actions.
Charles Barkley and Pippen went back and forth with a gun
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In 1999, Pippen and Charles Barkley both played for the Houston Rockets. After a disappointing season, Pippen requested a trade from the team. This led to Barkley saying that he was disappointed in Pippen, only for Pippen to say that Barkley was being fat and selfish.
Later, Scottie Pippen said, “I wouldn’t give Charles Barkley an apology at gunpoint.“
Barkley later replied to Pippen’s comments and said, “As you know, I always carry a gun with me. So there’s a chance. If I get arrested for murder, then you know he didn’t apologize.”
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Thankfully, the Rockets did not let things escalate and traded Pippen to the Portland Trail Blazers, not waiting to see if Barkley would make good on his words about Scottie Pippen.
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