Scottie Pippen can’t stop spicing up the news after Netflix released Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance”. In a 2021 interview appearance, the former Chicago Bulls Hall of Fame player said that in terms of skills, he would prefer Kobe Bryant over Jordan. Pippen and Jordan played 11 seasons together, including the years when Mike took a brief break. During his span with the Bulls and Michael, Pippen was one of the top players in the league but was also one of the most underpaid players in the league, earning just $22,275,000 during his time with the Bulls.
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After the release of “The Last Dance”, Pip was reportedly hurt and felt betrayed by his false portrayal in the documentary. When asked about the player Jordan was before they teamed up, Pippen told former teammate Stacey King in the “Gimme the Hot Sauce” podcast that Jordan was a horrible player. “I’ve seen Michael Jordan play before I came to the Bulls. You guys have seen him play. He was a horrible player,” Pippen said.
Scottie Pippen Showers Praise On Kobe Bryant At The Cost Of Michael Jordan
In an interview with Thuzio, when the six-time NBA champion was asked about Bryant, he reflected and said that Bean was perhaps better than Mike in skills. “[Kobe] strived so hard to be Michael Jordan. When I go back and I look at his videos and I say to myself, ‘Damn he was better than Michael Jordan” Pippen said. Despite the sour relationship between the two teammates, it is not the first time a former player has put Kobe above Michael.
Mike had an immense effect on Kobe in terms of basketball. Not only did he try to emulate the former five-time MVP, but he also possessed the same kind of mentality on the court, if not better.
Comparing Kobe and Jordan, Pippen said that, unlike Michael, the former Los Angeles Lakers great was not coached by a great coach. He also pointed to the fact that Bryant started to play in the league right after high school.
The Soured Relationship Between Scottie Pippen And Michael Jordan Was Once A Fairy Tale
Despite what appears to be a strained relationship between the two former teammates, once upon a time they shared a very cordial and respectful relationship. During his HOF speech, Pippen showered praise on Jordan.
Not only did Scottie call Jordan his best teammate, but he also alluded to the fact that his partner in crime had touched millions of lives through his game.
However, after the release of “The Last Dance” which was followed by reports of Jordan’s eldest son dating Pippen’s ex-wife, their relationship took a massive hit. Many hope that someday, love will again blossom between the two former teammates.
