Scottie Pippen is undoubtedly one of the best small forwards to ever play in the history of the NBA. He helped Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in winning six NBA Championships during the 1990s.
Many still believe that if it weren’t for Scottie Pippen, the Bulls might never have become an NBA dynasty. It’s even more evident from the fact that Dennis Rodman claimed that Pippen was the best player in the world after Jordan retired. But today, that’s not our focus. Instead, Pippen recently posted an image of himself and Shaquille O’Neal sharing the court during a practice session for the 1996 Olympics.
“Iron sharpens iron, but this time, we were doing it for GOLD!! Can you imagine if Shaq and I had teamed up? What do you think would have happened?”
During the 1996 Olympics, Pippen was still one of the best players in the world, and Shaquille O’Neal was, well, his usual dominant self. The duo helped Team USA win a gold medal with ease.
The 1996 Team USA may have not been on the level of the 1992 Dream Team, but it still featured some of the greatest players of all time on the roster, including Pippen and O’Neal.
What If Scottie Pippen And Shaquille O’Neal Teamed Up?
In reality, Pippen and O’Neal never played for the same NBA team. But this could have become a reality in 1999.
After the Chicago Bulls dynasty broke up after winning the 1998 NBA Championship, Scottie continued to play basketball. Due to differences with the Bulls, he was traded to the Houston Rockets.
However, if Pippen had been traded to the Lakers, he could have formed a Big 3 with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Moreover, Phil Jackson also became the head coach of the Lakers in 1999. Keeping that in mind, had Pippen joined the Lakers, he could have won three more NBA Championships, taking his total tally to nine NBA titles.
Unfortunately, it never happened and will forever remain one of the biggest what-ifs in the NBA.
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