While the NBA GOAT debate has mostly been around two consistent names, Scottie Pippen has been quite inconsistent with his opinions. There have been instances where he has admitted Michael Jordan as his GOAT, who then got replaced by LeBron James. The reason? Out in the open issues of Pip with MJ; especially evident ever since the release of Last Dance. Following a series of controversial opinions, Pip has struck once again. Only this time, he had a new GOAT. The words chosen, however, have not sat well with Bron’s longtime friend Carmelo Anthony.

Pippen spent years by Jordan’s side. They went through battles together, built dynasties, and made history. So when Melo said, “You done been in the bunker with MJ. You done been in the trenches with this guy. You signed up for the Breakfast Club for six years,” you can almost feel the confusion. How does someone flip on a teammate they shared so much with?

But Melo wasn’t just talking about loyalty to Jordan. He made it clear that Scottie Pippen’s ever-changing stance on LeBron isn’t sitting well either. “As far as LeBron goes, leave that man the fuck alone… Pay homage to Magic, but leave them n***s alone,” he said on his podcast 7PM in Brooklyn. Anthony’s frustration was palpable. He wasn’t just defending Bron; he was calling out the inconsistency in Pippen’s opinions, which seem to change with the wind.

And Pip’s history of comments hasn’t helped his case. Remember when he boldly declared, “I may go as far as to say Mike ruined basketball?” He accused Jordan of prioritizing individual accolades over teamwork. “That’s why I’ve always believed LeBron James is the greatest player this game has ever seen.” Those remarks alone sparked plenty of debate.

Now this time, Scottie Pippen has taken it even further, getting the reaction he did from Melo.

Completely sidelining LeBron, Pip now crows Magic Johnson as his new GOAT “because of how he led. How he brought a whole team that’s transcending what you can do as a player.” Pippen’s sentiment surrounding ‘team-first’ mentality seems to be stirring his opinion on who takes the crown. It was the same belief that had him taking a shot at LeBron.

On PBD podcast, the Bulls icon was asked whom an NBA owner would choose between him and Bron, if they were looking for an all-rounder to become the team’s no.1. After saying ‘I don’t know,’ he slowly threw in a line. “You want individual accolades or you want championships… Cuz I didn’t chase mine,” he said, not just dismissing James, but seemingly elevating himself in the process.

Melo, however, wasn’t buying it. “You could pay homage and respect to n***s without putting one or the other,” he argued. “Don’t say… all that sht for all them years. We know that was bulls*. I really didn’t f*** with MJ. It was just all business.”

Melo’s message was clear: loyalty and honesty matter, even in debates as polarizing as the GOAT. He, however, has not been the only one to

Melo wasn’t the only one against Scottie Pippen for his remarks around Bron

As mentioned earlier, Pip stirred the pot recently during his appearance on the PBD Podcast, claiming he’s better than LeBron James from a team perspective. But what caught everyone off guard was Stephen A. Smith—someone who’s been notoriously critical of LeBron—jumping to his defense.

On The Stephen A. Smith Show, he didn’t hold back, calling out the former Chicago Bulls star directly. He stated Bron to be one of the top two-three players in the history of basketball. Something that even Pip knows. He even reminded Pippen about his flip-flopping takes.

“There were several times when you floated that he was better than Michael Jordan,” Smith said. He, however, didn’t stop there. Smith emphasized that Scottie Pippen wasn’t “that offensive player… You didn’t get it done.” Something that even Melo highlighted on his recent podcast. He mentioned the ex-Bulls star to one of the greatest robin or wingman, but still not comparable to the legacy of Michael Jordan or LeBron James.