Scottie Pippen has never been shy about sharing his feelings when it comes to Michael Jordan or Phil Jackson. In a recent interview with Marca, the Chicago Bulls legend admitted that his relationships with both men were never truly close, despite the dynasty they built together.
“It’s never been on the top shelf. That’s the nature of the business. I mean, I was like that with Phil Jackson, but we’re not tight anymore, neither. So it’s just a part of life and cycles that we go through.”
For fans who grew up watching the Bulls’ dominance in the 1990s, the comment may sting. Pippen and Jordan together formed one of the most iconic duos in sports history, winning six NBA championships under Jackson’s leadership. Yet, the bond that many assumed was unbreakable has long since faded.
According to John Salley, who briefly played with both stars, the friendship between Pippen and Jordan effectively ended in 2004. He was referring to the long-standing distance that became especially apparent during and after The Last Dance documentary.
That series reignited old wounds. Pippen was unhappy with how he was portrayed and criticized Jordan for hogging the spotlight. Their last reported conversation happened shortly after the documentary aired, and since then, their relationship has remained fractured.
Stephen A. Smith even went as far as saying Jordan felt “betrayed” by Pippen, not for basketball reasons, but for something deeply personal. According to Smith, Jordan was hurt that Pippen didn’t reach out with condolences after his father’s murder. Whether true or not, it underscored just how strained things had become.
Phil Jackson, too, has had complicated ties with Pippen. While the coach praised his unselfishness and versatility during their championship run, he also acknowledged Pippen’s darker side.
Jackson once described how Pippen could be a model teammate most of the year, but on rare occasions slip into a “dark place” that affected the entire locker room. Over time, even their bond seems to have faded.
And yet, despite the bitterness, Pippen still recognizes Jordan’s greatness. He has publicly admitted that MJ is the greatest player of all time. That acknowledgment shows a respect for what they accomplished together, even if the personal connection is gone.
Dennis Rodman, their fellow teammate, has offered a more hopeful perspective. He believes the rift isn’t permanent, saying he thinks Jordan and Pippen will eventually work things out. For now, though, the divide remains.
Pippen’s candid words reveal an important truth about sports: winning together doesn’t always guarantee lifelong friendships. The Bulls’ dynasty was built on talent, competitiveness, and sacrifice, but also on relationships that were strictly professional at times.
For Pippen, Jordan, and Jackson, the glory of the 1990s remains untouchable. But their personal bonds? Those, as Pippen himself admits, were never “on the top shelf.”
