Since their legendary tenure with the Chicago Bulls, the relationship between Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan has been characterized as turbulent. Recently, Pippen, a Hall of Fame forward, made headlines by dubbing his former teammate the G.O.A.T. Yet, he did so with a subtly backhanded compliment.
During an appearance on the “Today” show, Pippen delved into various topics, including the perennial debate surrounding the greatest basketball player of all time. While acknowledging Jordan’s status as the G.O.A.T., Pippen also emphasized the role of team success in shaping Jordan’s accolades.
“Looking at the MVPs he achieved, it’s clear that our team’s success played a significant part. Naturally, someone on a successful team will garner those accolades, but unquestionably, he was basketball’s greatest player,” Pippen remarked.
In terms of the Bulls’ dominance throughout the 1990s, Pippen indeed played a pivotal role. As Jordan’s indispensable sidekick, he contributed significantly to the team’s success.
During his tenure with the franchise, Pippen earned multiple All-Star and All-NBA selections. Renowned for his defensive prowess, he also secured numerous spots on defensive teams and even led the league in steals at one point.
