It’s embarrassing at this point… Scottie Pippen, or Scottie Bitters as we’ll call him from here on out, has opened his mouth again. People say a lot of crazy stuff about MJ… all these LeBron fans chopping him down to put their boy up… all those Jordan haters from over the years, remembering when he kicked their team’s ass and ruined their seasons… all those ex-NBA players who used to be his rival downplaying his accomplishments… what else did you think they’d say? But Scot Pippen? The robin to batman MJ. The 2nd best Chicago Bulls player of all time. You know, it hurt the first time he said something stupid, but at this point, you just have to ignore him. “MJ was a horrible player”… I don’t think I’ve ever heard that from even the biggest Jordan haters. Like I said, it’s comical at this point…
I know Scottie has a lot of reasons to be bitter, but it’s only because of MJ that he’s even in position to be bitter; you follow me? You put Scot Pippen, as he was known when he was drafted back in 1987, on any other team, and I’d argue he wouldn’t have become half the player he did. Yes, that raw, skinny kid out of little Central Arkansas, certainly had ways to go to become that Hall of Fame inductee in 2010. It was the right place at the right time for Scottie; entering into the NBA as its popularity was about to get taken to the next level by, yes, his very own teammate. This guy who had already established himself as one of the best individual talents in the NBA by the time Pippen stepped foot on the court wanted to be a winner; in order to do so, he needed guys that had his same fire; if they didn’t, he forced that fire into them. Pippen was the biggest beneficiary of this. No doubt Pip had the raw ability and talent, but it was under that MJ fire where’s Pip’s talents were molded into greatness. He had no other choice. It was come along for the ride, or stay at the station. Pippen needed this extreme push; he got it, and he flourished. Scottie has said as much himself, when he wasn’t talking out of his ass. But make no mistake, Scottie was great, but he wasn’t MJ; nobody was. It was clear… MJ was #1A, B, and C… Pippen was #2; that’s not a bad place to be, right?
Scottie got his chance in the 1993-1994 NBA season, and he did really well; it was like seeing this kid you’ve watched grow up, mentored by the greatest of all time, stand on his own two feet. Yes, he lead the Bulls to the 2nd round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Knicks. Scottie was great, but not great enough to win it all without MJ. It wasn’t going to happen the following year either; the Bulls were doing worse in their 2nd season without MJ. Yes, Pippen beckoned Jordan to come back, and he did… a little too late for that season, but in enough time to set the franchise up for their 2nd three-peat. If I’m Scottie, I’d be saying thank you, no?
Yes, we know about the whole contract situation, as rehashed in The Last Dance. Scottie was underpaid, no doubt; is that Mike’s fault? Shit, MJ made more off endorsements than his salary. And for the record, yes, the Bulls front office SHOULD have renegotiated with Scottie, making it more fair; the Bulls had money coming out of their asses back then… and still do to this day because of Jordan and the 6 rings. And yes, we know about the whole Jordan’s kid with Scottie’s ex-wife; you blaming Mike for that too? Don’t fret too much about it; she’ll be moving on to the next young gun in a hot minute. Did LeBron’s people get to Scottie? I’m sure Pippen wouldn’t say no to a nice pay day to throw his boy under the bus; that’s a fact. Or, maybe Pippen is back on that hard liquor, early and often, just like when I smelled it coming out of his pores when my wife and I took a picture with him back in the day at a season ticket holder event. Who knows…
I said it was embarrassing, comical, but more so, I guess it’s just sad. For a guy whose place is pretty solid, not only in Bulls history, but in NBA history, there is really no reason to be bitter. Yes, you weren’t the #1 guy; that’s OK. Yes, you got underpaid for your time in the NBA; I’m sure you’re doing OK though, right? Your ex-wife may be a… “player”, but I’m sure you can find others. Scottie, man… I love you, but this is a really rough look. I don’t want to get ugly with you; I really don’t. You know, there is that outlet called the Hate Files on here… I really… don’t… want… to go there. Please stop… please. Get a hobby or something. Makes no sense to bite the hand that fed you… a public apology maybe? “I was under medication, and didn’t know what I was saying”… probably not… whatever… just stop talking, ok?
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