Scottie Pippen Makes Wild Michael Jordan Statistical Allegation

Scottie Pippen Makes Wild Jordan Statistical Allegation

Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan have a very poor relationship in the decades since playing with the Bulls. Despite being the centerpieces of the most successful NBA era since Bill Russell’s Celtics, there is lots of acrimony on both sides. The release of “The Last Dance” docu-series during the pandemic was one of the first instances of a fracture. However, in recent years it has only deteriorated. The most recent example of this will have you shocked. Check out a recent quote from Pippen about Jordan’s statistical prowess:

“Say I deflected the ball and tapped it over to [MJ]. I should get the credit with the steal right? Nope. More often that not, the steal went into his column in the stat sheet and I could do nothing about it… One night a scorekeeper came into the locker room… to hand the stat sheets to Phil Jackson… I couldn’t believe the look the guy gave Michael: ‘See MJ, we take care of you.’”

Scottie Pippen via Unguarded, h/t RedditNBA

There’s no problem with taking a closer look at one of the greatest careers in sports. In fact, many hold Jordan’s 1988 DPOY award as a major feather in his cap towards the GOAT debate. Do you think there is any merit in disputing the award and the stats that led to it? Tom Haberstroh’s article for Yahoo includes some really good research and did reveal a discrepancy between statisticians at home in Chicago versus when the Bulls were on the road. However, to me, this comes off as petty. Pippen’s disdain for Jordan is well documented and I think this is another example of him trying to drag MJ through the mud and make some headlines.

Grasping At Straws

As I said before, the release of “The Last Dance” kinda set everything in motion when it comes to their relationship. Pippen has had an axe to grind against Mike for years but MJ has been nothing but kind when talking about his co-star to the media. Calling him his greatest teammate, reflecting on the fact that he was underpaid but still paid admirably well, and so much more. Yes, Scottie was the missing piece for the Bulls and his acquisition started their path towards the six championships.

However, none of that happens without MJ, and that’s a fact. Jordan made Pippen, not the other way around. So many networks and media people have to settle for Scottie to make an appearance or say something because #23 is notoriously reclusive in retirement. I think these claims from Pip should be taken with a grain of salt. Let everyone read about it and come to their own conclusions.

This story is yet another complicated chapter in the story of one of the all-time great 1-2 punches in sports. Scottie Pippen will always be trying to undercut Michael Jordan.

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