“Michael Jordan Had NBA’s 2nd Best Player Next to Him”: When Larry Bird Gave Scottie Pippen the Ultimate Praise

The NBA Finals record of Michael Jordan is as impeccable as they come. The NBA Hall of Famer has been on six trips to the NBA Finals and has decimated his opponents in every single one.

In contrast, LeBron James’ legacy is often tarnished due to the narrative that he was the pivotal factor in bringing forth a culture of forming ‘superteams’ to win. The 38-year-old has seen his incredible career degraded for the very reason.

While a vast majority believe that Jordan paved the way for his own success, they conveniently leave out the fact that the 59-year-old had a competent front office and teammates to guide him.

Jerry Krause, Phil Jackson, Charles Oakley, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen are the principal examples of this. Chiefly Pippen. Pippen’s contributions are often overlooked by the media to push their agenda regarding Jordan as the greatest.

However, the seven-time NBA All-Star has found backing in the form of three-time NBA champion, Larry Bird.

Also read: “I needed Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James”: When Dwyane Wade Gave Total Credit of Making 75th Anniversary Team to Other Stars & All His Coaches

When Larry Bird lauded Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen is one of the most formidable and prodigious talents in NBA history. Although a lot of people disregard his role in the success of the Chicago Bulls franchise, the fact remains that Pippen has earned the respect of his peers and NBA Hall of Famers.

Widely regarded merely as a secondary option to Jordan, Pippen overcame the labels, and proved on numerous occasions, that he wasn’t Jordan’s Robin. Rather, he was the franchise’s superman. The heart and soul.

In his book from 1999, ‘Bird Watching’ Larry Bird spoke about Jordan’s distinction, as well as heaped praise on Pippen. Bird recalled an instance when his Indiana Pacers side, who he managed, were unable to overcome the Jordan and Pippen-led Bulls.

Bird emphasized Jordan’s governing mentality which distinguished him from his competitors. The Bulls legend was an absolute phenom at crushing his opponents’ confidence.

Bird said:

Michael Jordan played the mind game better than almost anyone. He really knew how to get inside people’s heads. Plus, I believe he had the second best player in the league right next to him in Scottie Pippen. You take Michael off that team, and Scottie moves down to fifth. But when Michael was out there with him, they were the best two in the league.”

Also read: “Kobe Bryant Held Up His End, I Didn’t”: When LeBron James Expressed His Guilt of Not Being Able To Play an NBA Finals Against The Mamba

Was Pippen ever ahead of Michael Jordan?

There will only ever be one Michael Jordan. The five-time NBA MVP revolutionized the game, with his athleticism and prolific scoring. It’s unlikely we’ll see someone replicate MJ’s dominance on the court.

However, the pertinent question remains, was Scottie Pippen the key to Jordan’s success? Jordan never once made it to an NBA Final prior to Pippen’s arrival.

And while many believed him to be a mere second option, the 57-year-old displayed that he was much more than that from 1993-1995. He may have not been ahead of Jordan in terms of skill and technique, but make no mistake, Scottie Pippen was the anchor of that franchise.

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