Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s duo at the Chicago Bulls is one of the most iconic pairings in the history of the NBA. Over the years, the relationship between the two stars has broken beyond repair.
But that wasn’t always the case. A prime example of this was how Jordan spoke of Pippen ahead of the 1995-96 NBA season. MJ even declared Pippen one of the top three players in the league.
“It’s a tandem, as you said,” Jordan told Cheryl Raye-Stout in a 1995 interview. “We’re both out front, we both know how to play the game. We’re both mature. Two years ago, three years ago, he was hiding behind me. When I left, he was exposed to things he really couldn’t see, because he was hiding behind me. He’s matured since then. We’re like brothers in a sense: He understands what I’ve gone through, and I certainly understand what he’s going through, too.”
Jordan further explained: “We try to take the pressure off each other, we try to help out each other in whatever respect. The best thing about our relationship was the two years that I was away. He had a better understanding about everything that I was enduring.”
Michael concluded his answer by mentioning Scottie is a great person. Moreover, Jordan said Pippen was the only player out there in direct competition with his talents.
“He’s always been a great person, and now he’s able to let people know and understand his game, because for years, people said he was a choker who couldn’t finish in a situation,” the Bulls legend added. “Well, I know better. The best thing about me being away is that people now know that he can play basketball …. If I look at someone who’s in direct competition with my talents, it’s Scottie Pippen.”
Scottie Pippen blossomed into a superstar during Michael Jordan’s first retirement. He finished the 1993-94 NBA season with 22.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.9 SPG, and 0.8 BPG. In the 1994-95 NBA season, Pippen posted 21.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.9 SPG, and 1.1 BPG.
It’s obvious that Pippen was putting up great numbers. But come playoff time, he couldn’t lead the Bulls past the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 1994. During the 1995 playoffs, MJ returned to the team, but he was rusty at the time, and the Bulls were once again sent home in the second round.
Following that season, Jordan and the Bulls won their second three-peat (1996, 1997, 1998). The Chicago Bulls dynasty broke up after the 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan retired for the second time while Pippen joined the Houston Rockets.
Scottie Pippen Disrespected Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan has rarely spoken wrongfully about Scottie Pippen since the Bulls broke up in 1998.
But since then, Pippen has shown nothing but disrespect to his former teammate at every chance that he got. A recent example of this was when Pippen claimed Mike was a horrible player before his arrival on the team in 1987.
Pippen has found himself amidst the headlines since those comments but for all the wrong reasons. For starters, his claim is terribly wrong. Below are Michael Jordan’s averages prior to Pippen’s arrival:
1984-85 NBA Season: 28.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 51.5 FG%, 84.5 FT%
1985-86 NBA Season: 22.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 45.7 FG%, 84.0 FT%
1986-87 NBA Season: 37.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, 48.2 FG%, 85.7 FT%
Sure, Jordan may have somewhat struggled in the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean he was a terrible player. Pippen’s claim was a huge disrespect to the GOAT, and there’s hardly anyone who’d say otherwise.
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