Scottie Pippen’s beef with Michael Jordan is a one-sided embarrassment

 Scottie Pippen’s beef with Michael Jordan is a one-sided embarrassment

By - Ubong Ekpo

  In the three years since the release of “ The Last Dance”, the documentary highlighting the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, Scottie Pippen has been on a verbal tear towards his former teammate Michael Jordan. Pippen did not like how he was portrayed, as some negative aspects of his career were highlighted from his “migraine” in game 7 versus the Pistons, which was suspected to be him not wanting to play, to his infamous self-benching/ refusal to play when coach Phil Jackson drew a game-winning play for Toni Kukoc, not Pippen in the 1994 semifinals versus the Knicks, in addition to Pippen’s decision to have knee surgery before the 98 season, as a way to stick it to the team owners due to years of contract issues, hindering the team at points of the season, which Jordan himself remarked was a bit selfish on Pippen’s part.

 While the aforementioned incidents are all factual, historical information, Pippen felt highlighting these incidents painted him in a bad light, as well as added to his overall feeling that his role on the Chicago Bulls team was never truly appreciated. However, as Jordan himself has stated on numerous occasions,that Pippen was instrumental in the six championships they had won together. Jordan has not ever publicly responded to any of Pippen’s media attacks. 

 What is so perplexing about Scottie’s sudden negative stance on Jordan is that contrary to what he says now, the two seemed to be, if not close, at least amicable and certainly both held eachother in high regard. Moments such as Pippens hall of fame induction. , where he refers to Jordan as “ the best teammate” and states “ I will cherish our relationship forever. “ Fast forward to now, Pippen is referring to Jordan as a “horrible teammate”

Pippen's true gripe should be with the sports media. As Jordan himself cannot control the press, The conflict between the two hall of famers then takes an even more personal turn when we dive deeper into Pippen's ex ex-wife, Larsa, who is currently dating Jordan's son, Marcus. Whether it’s the recent developments or years-long animosity, Scottie isn’t doing himself any favors regarding his image.

It’s evermore so clear that Scottie Pippen is outright jealous and bitter at the success of Michael Jordan and he himself hasn’t been honest or realistic about the player he actually was. One argument Pippen and Jordan's detractors use is how the Bulls didn't advance past the first round until Pippen arrived. This is what we would describe as a false truth. While yes, Pippen’s rookie season was the same season the Bulls made it past the first round, Major context is needed. For one, albeit in a sweep, Jordan scored, to this day, a record 63 points against the 1986 Boston Celtics in game 2 of the playoffs, one of the greatest teams of all time, Pippen’s rookie season coincided with Jordan’s first MVP season with averages of 35 points, 5 rebounds,  6 assist, 3 steals, and nearly 2 blocks; he was also named defensive player of the year the same season, a feat only replicated once ( Hakeem Olajuwon 1994).  In comparison, Scottie Pippen averaged 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 79 games in his rookie season in 1987-88. 

      Now about Larsa Pippen Again….

  

Larsa Pippen has developed a promiscuous reputation, that has alleged to have started during her marriage to Pippen. She was infamously linked to hip hop superstar Future, as well as high profile relationships with other NBA players such as Malik Beasly (who is currently her son, Scottie Pippen Jr.’s teammate), along with her previous friendship with the Kardashian family, which ended when she attempted to sleep with Tristian Thompson, Khloe Kardashian’s on and off again boyfriend and father to now two children. With her now dating Michael Jordan’s son in the midst of Pippen’s ongoing feud, it undoubtedly adds more salt to Scottie’s wound. As one can imagine, it would be embarrassing for Pippen to have his ex-wife, still using his last name, while being with other men. I personally find her relationship with Marcus Jordan to be in absolutely poor taste, and in many ways predatory. I don’t know when or how long Marcus personally knew Larsa, given she was Scottie’s wife since the late 90s, they must’ve crossed paths at some point when Marcus was a minor. They’re two consenting adults so they’re free to be with each other, but one must question the timing.

We must also acknowledge Pippen has also endured tragedy, as his son, Antron Pippen, passed away in 2021 at the age of 33.

 I, however, do not give Pippen a pass for either the passing of his son nor the transgressions of his ex-wife. Scottie should be overall grateful that he was blessed to play with the Greatest Player of all time. His career without Jordan is quite lackluster, while there are some deep playoff runs, Scottie never rose to the occasion like Jordan did, his career-high scoring average was a whopping 22 points per game. In his chances of leadership with the Bulls, the team only regressed, Pippen himself resorted to asking Jordan to return to the team, which he eventually did in 1995.

Scottie begging for his “horrible teammate” 

While I concur Michael Jordan’s teammates from the six championship teams could and should receive more credit for their part in the team winning, making personal attacks isn’t the way to go. I do feel for Scottie that his personal life is, unfortunately, being tangled into his professional career, and ultimately his legacy, but he must make peace with the circumstances of his career and his true potential as a player. Some players and superstars are Batman and some players are destined to be Robin. Being the second-best player in six championships is quite the accomplishment and Scottie should be proud, Michael Jordan was a scoring machine and athletic freak of nature, that I believe even without championships would still be an iconic figure. Scottie Pippen must make peace with Michael Jordan and not further damage his legacy with bitter cheapshots. Hopefully “ The Last Dance” truly wasn’t the last chapter in MJ and Scottie’s story.