16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, 47 FG%, 70 FT%
“One of the most versatile and talented players, 6-7 Scottie Pippen orchestrated an offense like a point guard, rebounded like a power forward, scored like a shooting guard, and defended on the perimeter like few others. The seven-time All-Star was a vital component of the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA Championships in the 1990s.
He played 17 seasons missing the postseason only in his final campaign, which allowed him to rack up the second most playoff game appearances (208) behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (237). But above and beyond, his all-around game was the prototype for the next generation of small forwards.
As the second-best player on the championship Bulls team to perhaps the greatest player to lace up a pair of sneakers – Michael Jordan, Pippen may never get his due. Like with the chicken and the egg conundrum, the question may always remain how much of Pippen’s success was a result of his association with Jordan.
Chicago sportswriter Sam Smith, who covered the Bulls during the Jordan-Pippen era, explained the dynamic dilemma this way on ESPN.com: “Pippen was the ultimate supporting player, the perfect complement.” [Read]
Note: this video contains foul language.
(Sources: NBA.com, YouTube, Basketball-reference.com)
July 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Pippen was my playing inspiration… except of course for the pouting and headaches.
And thanks for the heads up on foul language.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Basketballogy,
Pippen is so underrated. I cringe every time I read a comment from someone stating that MJ carried him or that he wouldn’t have been anything without MJ. That’s complete nonsense. Pippen was a legitimate MVP candidate and the Bulls took the eventual NBA Finalist New York Knicks to 6 games the year after MJ’s first retirement.
Scottie is one of the three greatest shooting forwards of all-time.