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Saturday, February 5, 2011

The great basketball palyer Scottie Maurice Pippen

Scottie Maurice Pippen  is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins. Pippen, along with Michael Jordan, played an important role in transforming the Bulls team into a vehicle for popularizing the NBA around the world during the 1990s.


Position: Forward-Guard
*Height: 6-8
* Weight: 210 lbs.
Born: September 25, 1965 in Hamburg, Arkansas
High School: Hamburg in Hamburg, Arkansas
College: University of Central Arkansas
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1987 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 7, 1987
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2010 .

If you've read any of the numerous books about the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s then you know that Scottie Pippen is kind of funny about money. Raised in a poor household, Pippen jumped at the chance to sign a long-term contract prior to the 1991-92 season, choosing the security of a long deal over being paid what he was worth. Throughout his career, Pippen would endorse anything and everything, assuring that the money kept flowing in. Following the end of his playing career, Pippen was involved in a number of bad business deals that left him nearly broke.

One of the notable money mistakes that Pippen made was the purchase of a $4 million Gulfstream jet in 2002. Due to a missed inspection, the jet's engine needed $1 million worth of repairs shortly after the purchase. Rather than paying that, the jet was grounded, making it the world's most expensive paper weight. Pippen sued his attorney for the missed inspection and Monday was awarded a settlement of $2 million.
Remember the year when MJ played baseball and the Bulls had Pip as their best player? Not good."
What? The Bulls were a game away from the finals "without" Jordan. Tony Kukoc stepped in. I may be remembering incorrectly, but I recall that a bad ref call against the Knicks helped them lose in the Eastern Conference Finals, "without" MJ. I site this when people question Jackson as a coach and Pippen as a player. Pippen demanded enough attention that his defenders could not help on Jordan. Craig Hodges, BJ Armstrong, John Paxson, Steve Kerr et al were the beneficiaries because their defender had to help on Pippen and Jordan and they could shoot open shots like they were at practice.Actually Tommy A, the first full year that Jordan was out, Pippen led the Bulls to the conference finals that year against the Knicks...and absent a few questionable calls in Game 6 i believe, the Bulls would have met the Rockets in the finals that year. he'll say Pippen was the best defender he's ever coached and had "genius" basketball iq. Obviously, playing with Jordan meant he would always be in his shadow, and Scotty and Jackson always get the "you woulda been nothing without MJ" (although Jackson now can be seen as the greatest coach ever, after guiding Kobe and Shaq, and now Kobe, to multiple championships). But I think for the Bulls it was MJ, the greatest ever, paired with Pippen, one of the top 25 ever, which is pretty special and the reason why they got 6 rings in 8 years .Being a part of each of these worlds allows you to know how to deal with every teammate you've ever come across. No matter the age, the upbringing, the contract, or the points-per-game average. Tugging on your shorts at the free-throw line, gasping for air and wondering where it's all going, there's nobody you want to talk to more than Scottie Pippen.

That's why he starts, for me. I could invite you into my living room and pull up the DVDs and point until I'm blue in the face and in the manner of speaking, but it wouldn't be enough. As it is with Scottie, you have to live it. You have to see it, as it unfolds. You had to be there. You really did.

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