There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Pippen are two of the greatest small forwards to have ever lived. While LeBron James and Larry Bird have a large gap from the rest of the NBA’s greatest small forwards, the other places on the all-time list are up for grabs. Two guys that enter the immediate conversation are Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Pippen.
Leonard is the soft-spoken and dominant two-way superstar who has two NBA titles to his name, while Scottie Pippen is known as Michael Jordan’s sidekick who captured a whopping six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. But which small forward is the greater player with the greater career? We have a winner in our ultimate career comparison.
NBA Championships
Kawhi Leonard: 2 (2014, 2019)
Scottie Pippen: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Kawhi Leonard has two championships to his name, winning with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and later leading the Toronto Raptors to victory in 2019 in his first and only season with the franchise. Despite Leonard’s lower championship count, his achievements are notable for being with different teams, showcasing his ability to make an immediate impact wherever he played with different types of teammates.
In terms of championships, Scottie Pippen holds a significant advantage over Kawhi Leonard. Pippen secured an impressive six NBA titles during his tenure with the Chicago Bulls, forming one of the most iconic duos with Michael Jordan. Their dominance in the 1990s resulted in championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Pippen’s defensive prowess and versatility played a crucial role in the Bulls’ sustained success even if Jordan was the undisputed star of the team.
Advantage: Scottie Pippen
Finals MVP Awards
Kawhi Leonard: 2 (2014, 2019)
Scottie Pippen: 0
Kawhi Leonard stands out with two accolades in contrast to Scottie Pippen’s zero. Leonard’s first Finals MVP came in 2014 when he played a pivotal role for the San Antonio Spurs in their triumph over the Miami Heat. His exceptional two-way performance, particularly on the defensive end, was instrumental in containing LeBron James and securing the championship as he averaged 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. In 2019, Leonard replicated this feat with the Toronto Raptors, leading them to their first NBA title and earning the Finals MVP once again by posting 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His offensive prowess and ability to take over crucial moments showcased his capacity to be the driving force behind a championship team.
On the other hand, despite his integral role in the Chicago Bulls’ six championships, Scottie Pippen never secured a Finals MVP award as Michael Jordan won all six Finals MVP awards during their dynasty in the 1990s. This category therefore highlights Leonard’s ability to not only win championships but also to be recognized as the most valuable player in the NBA Finals on two separate occasions, solidifying his impact in high-stakes postseason scenarios.
Advantage: Kawhi Leonard
MVP Awards
Kawhi Leonard: 0
Scottie Pippen: 0
In terms of regular-season MVP awards, both Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Pippen did not secure any during their respective careers. Despite their significant contributions to their teams and the league, neither player received the individual recognition of being named the Most Valuable Player in a given NBA season. While MVP awards are a notable measure of individual excellence, both Leonard and Pippen built their legacies on all-around contributions, defensive prowess, and being key components of championship-winning teams.
Advantage: Even
Defensive Player Of The Year Awards
Kawhi Leonard: 2 (2015, 2016)
Scottie Pippen: 0
In the realm of defensive accolades, Kawhi Leonard emerges as a standout with two Defensive Player of the Year awards, while Scottie Pippen did not secure this particular honor during his career. Leonard’s back-to-back awards in 2015 and 2016 underline his exceptional defensive skills and versatility. Known for his ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses, Leonard’s defensive prowess played a crucial role in the success of the San Antonio Spurs, as he posted a league-leading 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in 2015 followed by 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in 2016.
Scottie Pippen never won a Defensive Player of the Year award despite being regarded as one of the greatest defensive players ever. His length, athleticism, strength, and speed allowed him to dominate defense against at least three positions, and his legacy is defined by his defensive success beyond the Defensive Player of the Year award although Leonard still wins this category.
Advantage: Kawhi Leonard
Scoring Titles
Kawhi Leonard: 0
Scottie Pippen: 0
Neither Kawhi Leonard nor Scottie Pippen secured any scoring titles during their respective NBA careers. While both players were known for their scoring abilities and offensive contributions, they did not lead the league in scoring for a single season. Leonard is averaging 19.8 points per game over his career, with highs of 27.1 points with the Los Angeles Clippers coming in the 2019-20 season.
Pippen averaged 16.1 points per game over his career, averaged at least 20 points per game four times, and had a career-high 22.0 points per game in the 1993-94 season. While Leonard is considered a better scorer than Pippen, the Bulls legend was mainly a playmaker on the offensive end but neither of them won a scoring title.
Advantage: Even
All-Star Selections
Kawhi Leonard: 5
Scottie Pippen: 7
Kawhi Leonard has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game five times. While Leonard’s All-Star appearances are slightly fewer than Pippen’s, they still underscore his status as one of the top players in the league during his career. Leonard’s All-Star selections came with three different teams: the San Antonio Spurs (2), Toronto Raptors (1), and Los Angeles Clippers (2). Leonard also won All-Star Game MVP in the 2019-20 season.
In terms of All-Star selections, Scottie Pippen holds a slight edge over Kawhi Leonard. Pippen was chosen for the NBA All-Star Game seven times during his illustrious career, all with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. Pippen also won the 1993-94 All-Star Game MVP award for his efforts in the game, posting 29 points and 11 rebounds. In the end, Pippen has an edge over Leonard in total All-Star appearances which is a major advantage in an important category.
Advantage: Scottie Pippen
All-NBA Teams
Kawhi Leonard: 5 (3 First Team, 2 Second Team)
Scottie Pippen: 7 (3 First Team, 2 Second Team, 2 Third Team)
Leonard’s five All-NBA Team selections reflect his impact as one of the league’s premier players. His three First Team selections underscore his dominance, showcasing his excellence on both ends of the floor although it is slightly surprising that the current 32-year-old has not made more than five All-NBA Teams. No doubt, injuries have something to do with it since Leonard has played under 65 games per season since 2016-17.
Scottie Pippen’s seven All-NBA Team selections highlight his sustained excellence throughout his career. Pippen’s three First Team selections emphasize his status as one of the elite players in the league, with additional recognitions on the Second and Third Teams underscoring his versatility and consistent impact alongside Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls. Once again, Pippen gains a very important advantage over Leonard.
Advantage: Scottie Pippen
All-Defensive NBA Teams
Kawhi Leonard: 7 (3 First Team, 4 Second Team)
Scottie Pippen: 10 (8 First Team, 2 Second Team)
Leonard’s seven All-Defensive Team selections highlight his prowess as a two-way player. His three First Team selections emphasize his impact as one of the league’s premier defenders, showcasing his ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses. Leonard’s consistent presence on the All-Defensive Teams reflects his commitment to excellence on both ends of the court, and has averaged a career 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
Meanwhile, Scottie Pippen’s ten All-Defensive Team selections underscore his defensive dominance and versatility. With eight appearances on the First Team, Pippen solidified his reputation as one of the elite defenders in the league. His ability to guard various positions and contribute to the Chicago Bulls’ defensive schemes was instrumental in their success as the player posted 2.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. Another important edge goes to the Bulls legend.
Advantage: Scottie Pippen
Total Win Shares
Kawhi Leonard: 94.2
Scottie Pippen: 125.1
While Leonard’s total of 94.2 Win Shares is substantial, it falls below Pippen’s figure. Leonard’s Win Shares highlights his value to his teams, particularly in championship-winning seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors. His two-way excellence, marked by scoring, rebounding, and elite defense, has contributed significantly to team success although not enough.
Pippen’s total of 125.1 Win Shares underscores his immense overall contributions to his teams throughout his career. Known for his versatility and impact on both ends of the court, Pippen’s Win Shares reflect not only his scoring but also his playmaking, rebounding, and defensive prowess. His high Win Shares total is indicative of his crucial role in the success of the Chicago Bulls during their championship runs in the 1990s.
Advantage: Scottie Pippen
Career Player Efficiency Rating
Kawhi Leonard: 23.4
Scottie Pippen: 18.6
Leonard’s career PER of 23.4 reflects his efficiency and overall effectiveness on the basketball court. Known for his scoring ability, defensive prowess, and well-rounded skill set, Leonard’s PER places him among the elite players in the league. Kawhi is averaging 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 49.6% FG, 39.0% 3-PT FG, and 86.0% FT.
Pippen’s career PER of 18.6, while solid, is lower than Leonard’s. However, it’s important to note that PER is influenced by various factors, and Pippen’s value extends beyond traditional statistical categories. Pippen’s versatility, playmaking, and defensive impact, especially during the Chicago Bulls’ championship years, contributed significantly to team success. Over his career, Pippen averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game on 47.3% FG, 32.6% 3-PT FG, and 70.4% FT. Finally, Leonard earns an advantage over Pippen in an important category.
Advantage: Kawhi Leonard
Final Score
Scottie Pippen vs. Kawhi Leonard 5-3
In the categories analyzed, Scottie Pippen holds a 5-3 advantage over Kawhi Leonard. Pippen’s strengths lie in his higher number of championships, All-Star selections, All-NBA Team selections, and All-Defensive Team selections. Kawhi Leonard, on the other hand, has the edge in NBA Finals MVP awards, Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Career Player Efficiency Rating.
Pippen therefore has had a better career than Leonard in terms of total accolades and longevity of greatness. Leonard’s injury history has cut down on the achievements he would have earned including All-Star, All0NBA, and possibly All-Defensive Team selections. While some might argue that Kawhi holds the edge in critical categories including Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year wins, Pippen has a greater list of awards because injuries hardly affected his prime alongside Michael Jordan.
It’s crucial to recognize that both players had remarkable careers, and the comparison highlights the different strengths and contributions each brought to the game. Pippen’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, while Leonard has showcased his impact on different teams, earning Finals MVP honors with both the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors. In the end, however, Pippen holds the edge in the career comparison.
