Warning $4.1 Billion Team of ?Abandonment?, Michael Jordan Once Stood Up for Former Teammate-Turned-Enemy

While he had many on court opponents, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan also wasn?t without any true friends and teammates. There was a time when His Airness and his teammates used to dominate the basketball court in every game. While they kept having his back, Jordan also ensured that he kept supporting his comrades as well from time to time.

During his time with the NBA and even after, Jordan had a consistent up and down relationship with a particular individual. Despite the same, he stood up for this person during a crucial moment.

Michael Jordan lends his support to Scottie Pippen after 1996 Finals

Back In 1993, Michael Jordan took an official retirement from the NBA after losing his father. He would stay away from the league for three years before returning to the Bulls.

In his absence, the Bulls were looking to make a change to their then roster. Amongst the players selected for a potential trade was the 1994 MVP Scottie Pippen. The Bulls management was making a decision to exchange the player with the Seattle Supersonics in exchange for Shawn Kemp. Eventually, the deal faltered.

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When Jordan returned to his team in 1996, it gave a boost of encouragement to the rest of the players. That encouragement helped them to mark a clear path towards the NBA finals and emerge victorious. During the post-game press conference, Jordan took a moment to give a shout-out to Pippen, who was sitting right beside him. ?Having heard rumors of the deal that was supposedly going to take place, Jordan laid out an ultimatum.

“He?s not going nowhere. He’s one of the reasons I came back. If he leaves, I’m leaving again,” Jordan said during the press conference. “As much as I admire Shawn Kemp’s ability, I’m so happy that they didn’t make that trade.”

Jordan?s words of encouragement towards Pippen were just a testament to the bond that the two Bulls players shared with each other. Together, the duo would go on to win three more championships for their team. That dream wouldn?t have been possible if both the players weren?t present to guide their comrades.

Scottie Pippen didn’t like his portrayal in ‘The Last Dance’.

Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 2003. Scottie Pippen followed suit and would bid adieu to the league a year later. While the duo remained close friends during their post-NBA days, their friendship slowly began to sour.

Back in 2020, Jordan was seen sharing his basketball experience in his Netflix Documentary ?The Last Dance?. The highly anticipated film covered Jordan?s journey towards fame and stardom, while drawing emphasis on his former teammates and rivals. Despite the fact that Pippen himself had given an interview for the documentary, he didn?t find his and his teammates’ portrayal quite alluring. He explained his dissatisfaction in his 2021 memoir ?Unguarded?.

?[T]hey glorified Michael Jordan while not giving nearly enough praise to me and my proud teammates,? Pippen wrote in his book. ?Michael deserved a large portion of the blame.?

If the incident wasn?t enough, one can also add the fact in the mix that Scottie Pippen?s ex-wife, Larsa, is now dating Jordan?s second eldest son, Marcus. Even though the 58-year-old has not spoken out about the same, one can assume that he is not fully pleased with his former teammate.

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What are your thoughts on Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen?s friendship? Let us know in the comments down below.