The Real Reason Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s Friendship Changed—Revealed by Ex-Teammate

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Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen appear to have had strained relationships over the past few years. A while ago, Pippen expressed some candid criticisms about his former Chicago Bulls teammate and has since offered blunt, honest opinions on MJ’s influence in basketball. Other retired players have joined the discussion, expressing thoughts not only on their abilities but also the possibility of a reconciliation. According to fellow Bulls alum Craig Hodges, one key factor might have altered the dynamics between these teammates.

Craig Hodges, a former basketball player, was once a teammate of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during their time with the Chicago Bulls. Spanning four seasons, Hodges contributed to the team’s championship wins in 1991 and 1992. In an interview on All the Smoke, Hodges discussed the dynamics between his former teammates. He speculated (as shown in a clip) that their relationship evolved when some players were recognized with a particular distinction several years ago.

After Scottie ranked among the top 50 players of all time, his self-assurance – not just his gameplay – he had been playing at a Top 50 level beforehand. He hadn’t realized it, but you catch my drift? He was living under the impression that being number 23 is how it’s done.

When Scottie finally made it to the top 50, it seemed like ‘Whoa! Let’s take this a step further.’ I think, in some way, that mentality persists in the small disagreement they have.

In 1996, during the NBA’s 50th anniversary celebration, a list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History was revealed, which included Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Later, both players were also selected for the team commemorating the league’s 75th anniversary in 2021. Craig Hodges suggests that once Pippen was recognized as one of the all-time greats, his self-confidence grew significantly, which seemed to alter the dynamic between Jordan and Pippen on the court, where it appeared they had a big brother, little brother relationship previously.

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In simpler terms, the producer of “The Last Dance” shares his thoughts on Scottie Pippen’s criticism of the Chicago Bulls docuseries and if he would make any changes.

It’s clear that the bond between the two members of the Dream Team no longer resembles that of siblings. In 2021, Scottie Pippen publicly criticized his former teammate over the docuseries “The Last Dance.” He claimed that Michael Jordan, who had control over the production, used it to elevate himself at the expense of giving proper credit to other players. Furthermore, Pippen accused Jordan of damaging basketball and even referred to him as a poor player in subsequent years.

Previously known as a basketball small forward, he has faced criticism following his book release, particularly for taking aim at Michael Jordan in his memoir, Unguarded. Charles Barkley criticized this as “big-game hunting,” while NBA legend Jerry West expressed confusion over why the author from Arkansas would engage in a feud with an old teammate. As for the possibility of reconciliation, former Bulls player Charles Oakley is skeptical, but Craig Hodges remains optimistic.

Assuming all goes well, everything should fall into place, as everyone seems to have families and grandchildren these days. We’ve reached an age where such matters are no longer a concern.

Previously, Scottie Pippen stated that he and Michael Jordan were not particularly close friends, and it’s fair to say that bridging the gap between them now appears challenging. Nevertheless, there might be some factor that could reunite these two individuals, disregarding the complexities influencing their connection.

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2025-05-04 00:37