Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan have a realistic claim to being the best duo in the history of basketball. After Pippen was drafted by Chicago and developed into a star alongside Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls managed to build a dynasty around the two, winning three consecutive NBA championships on two occasions.
Pippen and Jordan complimented each other on the court extremely well, the former’s playmaking and defensive ability made life simpler for Jordan to do his thing and dominate teams. While Michael and Scottie were always seen as a lethal one-two punch, Pippen revealed in his book ‘Unguarded’ (via Sportscasting) that Michael and he had never really been that close as people.
“I don’t usually allow our lack of closeness to bother me,” Pippen wrote. “I have plenty of friends. Yet there are occasions, and watching the doc was definitely one, when I think about the relationship I wish the two of us had, and it hurts. It hurts a lot. By no means am I an innocent party here. I missed some openings that might have made a difference, and I have to live with that.”
The doc Pippen has referenced is the Last Dance documentary that was released in 2020 detailing the story of Michael Jordan, and by extension, the 90s-era Chicago Bulls. What is quite funny is that Jordan took the time out during the documentary to greatly praise Pippen, going as far as to say that there would be no MJ without Scottie.
Bulls writer Sam Smith has since revealed that Scottie’s attempts to be seen as an equal with Michael often led to Pippen being demeaned and embarrassed by Michael, who knew what he was doing. These new developments to what people thought was a fairly great working relationship between two of the greatest to ever do it don’t make a fun read. Nevertheless, whatever their relationship may be like, the fact that MJ and Pippen are arguably the greatest NBA duo ever will never change.
