Tensions rise when the stars of the legendary Chicago Bulls dynasty, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan, find themselves at odds.
In a recent appearance on Stacey King’s “Gimme the Hot Sauce” podcast, Pippen made controversial comments about his former teammate, referring to Jordan as a “horrible player” when discussing the greatest player in NBA history.
Pippen expressed skepticism about the concept of an individual being considered the best in a team sport like basketball. He specifically mentioned Jordan’s time with the Bulls before Pippen joined the team, stating: “I’ve seen Michael Jordan play before I came to the Bulls. You have seen him play. He was a horrible player.”
The six-time NBA champion delved into what it was like to play alongside “His Airness.”
Pippen stated that Jordan was difficult to play with, as he often engaged in a one-on-one style of play and took questionable shots. “It was horrible to play with him. It was all 1 on 1. He’s taking bad shots. Suddenly, we became a team and we started winning. Everyone forgot who he was,” he stated.
“He was a player who, really, winning was not at the top of his category. He was scoring”, a perspective that he believed was not adequately portrayed in the documentary “Last Dance”, which aired on ESPN in 2020.
In particular, Jordan’s early years with the Bulls showcased his extraordinary scoring abilities. In his first three seasons, he averaged 31.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and five assists per game. During the 1986-87 season, Jordan reached a career-high average of 37.1 points per game.
Despite the individual success of the Nike ambassador, the Bulls struggled to make a deep playoff run during that period, never getting past the first round.
Pippen announcing his success
Following his appearance on the podcast, the number 33 jersey wearer took to Instagram to highlight his own achievements and impact on the game.
“From humble beginnings to 6 championships, 2 gold medals, the Hall of Fame and leading the Bulls franchise with the most playoff wins. Here’s to the anonymous heroes… Cheers! the Instagram post said.
With 123 team playoff wins, Pippen holds the record for the most in franchise history, with Jordan close behind with 119.
The feud between Pippen and Jordan
The dynamic duo who dominated the American basketball court for more than a decade with the Chicago Bulls, Pippen and Michael Jordan once shared a strong bond. However, in recent years their relationship has become strained. Following the release of the widely acclaimed documentary series, “The Last Dance,” Pippen expressed criticism of him about his portrayal and Jordan’s alleged patronizing attitude.
In November 2021, Pippen expressed his displeasure, saying, “They glorified Michael Jordan without giving me and my proud teammates enough praise.”
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Beyond their shared past on the court, the connection between the former basketball duo now takes an interesting turn. Pippen’s ex-wife and mother of his four children, Larsa Pippen, has found love with Jordan’s son, Marcus.
Larsa, known for her appearances on the reality show “Real Housewives of Miami,” is open about her relationship with the young Jordan.
