As Scottie Pippen Says He And Michael Jordan ‘Never Were Great Friends,’ He Also Pays His Ex-Teammate A Major Compliment

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In recent times, longtime Chicago Bulls colleagues Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan found themselves at odds following the release of the docuseries titled The Last Dance. Pippen expressed dissatisfaction with the series, particularly since it was overseen by Jordan’s production company. Since then, they have not maintained contact. However, Pippen has recently clarified that they were never close friends, yet he offered a significant praise towards Jordan.

What Did Scottie Pippen Say About His Relationship With Michael Jordan?

In the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls ruled the NBA, claiming six titles in that time frame primarily thanks to Michael Jordan (MJ) and Scottie Pippen’s performances. Despite this, the player from Arkansas has stated multiple times that he and MJ, who founded Jordan Brand together, weren’t particularly close during their playing years. When he spoke with Valuetainment Media and host Patrick Bet-David, there was discussion about whether they could resolve their differences and potentially reconnect. In a recent YouTube video, Pippen expressed this sentiment again.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say, Michael can be quite challenging to engage with. Over the years, I’ve shared the screen with him, and I’ve seen it firsthand. When the time comes for you to steer your own course, by all means, do so. Don’t waste time hesitating or prolonging things—the bond we had isn’t what it once was, and it’s unlikely to ever return to its former glory. Trying to revive something that’s lost its spark or creating something that never truly existed in the first place seems futile. Michael was an exceptional team player, but our friendship, well, it just didn’t have the same magic.

Regarding the 2020 documentary series “The Last Dance”, Scottie Pippen expressed that he wasn’t overly satisfied with it. He further elaborated in his 2021 memoir, “Unguarded”, and didn’t hold back when criticizing Michael Jordan. According to Pippen, Jordan utilized the 10-episode series to emphasize his own achievements while failing to acknowledge others adequately. In fact, he went as far as saying that Jordan had a negative impact on basketball, even going so far as to call him “horrible” in a 2023 interview. However, Pippen did acknowledge some positive aspects of their partnership on the court.

How Did Scottie Pippen Talk Up Michael Jordan?

Discussions about the Greatest NBA Player of All Time (GOAT) are not just a topic for casual fans, but also for those who have played the game. However, during a recent interview, a former Central Arkansas player didn’t directly address this topic. Yet, his comments on how LeBron James measures up to Michael Jordan did touch upon it. It appears that in the ex-small forward’s opinion, James doesn’t even come close to his Chicago Bulls teammate when it comes to comparison.

In simpler terms, Michael Jordan was exceptionally competitive and few individuals share this trait. His level of competitiveness is unlike many contemporary players, such as LeBron James. During his career, Michael displayed his competitiveness over a span of about 12 to 14 years, showcasing his achievements, determination, and desire to win. On the other hand, LeBron has been competitive for over 20 years, but the nature of his drive, fight, and hunger is different from Michael’s. Comparing these two basketball greats is like comparing apples to oranges because they are operating in different lanes.

In a slightly different way of saying it: LeBron James, who holds the record for most points scored in the NBA, is undeniably an impressive figure on his own. Nevertheless, Scottie Pippen raises an intriguing point when he considers how Michael Jordan managed to achieve so much in such a short period. Some attribute this success to Jordan’s unyielding determination. Even Magic Johnson, in recognition of Jordan’s prowess, once described him as the “most powerful” athlete he’d ever witnessed. This level of admiration aligns with Pippen’s earlier statement expressing a desire to play alongside Jordan again if given the opportunity.

It appears that there’s no sign of Scottie Pippen wanting to reconcile with Michael Jordan at the moment, which might be disheartening for longtime fans who cherished their on-court partnership. However, it’s clear that Pippen still admires Jordan’s determination and feels he ranks among other basketball greats.

Stream The Last Dance for yourself right now using a Netflix subscription.

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2025-01-21 19:07