Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken ESPN commentator, minced no words when he called out former Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen for what he saw as Pippen’s betrayal of his teammates. Smith’s passionate criticism centered on instances where Pippen’s actions appeared to show a lack of commitment to his team.
“We a team, we all the same. Really? Everybody was Michael Jordan? Were you Michael Jordan when Michael Jordan was gone? You was an all-star MVP at an all-star game. You guided your team to the semifinals. It was Scottie Pippen that quit because Phil Jackson called the last play against the New York Knicks.”
“He called the last play for Toni Kukoc to take the last shot and Scottie Pippen was appalled and refused to check into the game. It was Scottie Pippen that had to deal with Bill Cartwright literally crying, talking about how he betrayed the team.”
“He quit on him. Is that Michael Jordan? Did Michael Jordan tell you not to sign that contract? Didn’t Michael Jordan say it was your chance to have it as your team? Was it Michael Jordan that had the migraine headache in game seven?”
“Scottie Pippen, that defended Magic Johnson, picked him up 94 feet. But all of those other things came with you, too. It wasn’t Michael Jordan that did that.”
Perhaps the most infamous moment was when Pippen refused to check into the game during a 1994 playoff matchup against the New York Knicks. Head coach Phil Jackson designed the final play for Toni Kukoc, a decision that Pippen vehemently disagreed with. In a display of protest, Pippen opted not to participate in the game’s critical moments.
This act, witnessed by both his teammates and fans, was a stark deviation from the expected commitment and team-first mentality. Michael Jordan, a fellow superstar, was notably absent from the Bulls during this time, which made Pippen’s decision even more glaring. Pippen apologized and responded with 25 points in a Game 4 win, and the Bulls avoided fracturing before falling in seven games.
In a crucial Game Seven of the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Scottie Pippen suffered from a debilitating migraine headache. This ailment caused him to be unable to perform at his best and, in essence, sidelined him during a critical moment. While Pippen had shown tremendous dedication and defensive prowess throughout the series, this incident left fans and analysts questioning whether he could have done more for his team in that decisive game. Smith believed that in such a significant contest, Pippen’s inability to play due to a medical condition raised concerns about his commitment.
One of the most significant issues that marred Pippen’s legacy was his contract dispute with the Bulls. In the early ’90s, Pippen signed a seven-year, $18 million contract, which, at the time, seemed like good money. However, as the NBA and player salaries began to skyrocket, Pippen found himself drastically underpaid compared to his contributions. This contract dispute put him at odds with Bulls management and led to a contentious relationship. Pippen later admitted that he deeply regretted signing that deal. Smith argued that this episode was an example of putting personal gain above the team’s success, which left his teammates feeling let down.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Scottie Pippen decided to undergo surgery on his foot at the start of the 1997-98 season, a move that extended his absence from the lineup. The timing of the surgery was a subject of debate and criticism, as it was seen by some as something that could have been scheduled during the offseason to minimize disruption to the team’s performance.
While Pippen was recovering from his surgery, the situation escalated. General Manager Jerry Krause explored trade options for Pippen, signaling that the relationship between the player and the organization had reached a breaking point. Pippen eventually took matters into his own hands and handed in a trade request, a bold move that marked a turning point in his association with the Bulls. His decision to sit out extended beyond his recovery period and had ripple effects on the team’s performance.
Smith’s criticism underscores the complexity of Scottie Pippen’s legacy as a basketball player, highlighting moments of greatness alongside instances that have been viewed as blemishes on his otherwise remarkable career. It’s a conversation that continues to captivate basketball fans and analysts alike.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
