Scottie Pippen

[reeds]

OK Kid- this one is for you. I know how you love Scottie. Here is my take. And im doing this because you dissed my boy KOBE. Telling me he is no Superstar.

Well- I got some issues I want to clear up on him and Scottie.

You said, you want to see how Kobe can do without Shaq. I feel he would still be a superstar, maybe even a more, high profile scorer than he is right now. You dissagree, which is fine. Your entitled to your opinion.

Here is my take on Scottie. Sure- he was voted one of the 50 greatest players of all time- rightly so. BUT, BUT he played with the great one, the best ever. Jordan was so good, he made everyone around him better. ESPECIALLY SCOTTIE PIPPEN.

NO JORDAN, NO 50 top player award. HE would NOT have been a superstar without JORDAN. A go-to guy, a guy you want with the ball at the end of a game, the end of a championship series- not PIP..

You have Pippen play his whole career without Jordan, he wouldnt even be as good as FINLEY!!]
Had to get that Finley thing in here somewhere!

whats your opinion? The boards opinion?

[MFFL]

Pippen WAS a special talent. He was a superstar for awhile because he was a brilliant basketball player. He could score, rebound, and play defense. Although playing on Jordan's team might make you look good in certain ways, it also means you played in his shadow. Pippen might have been a top 50 player without Jordan but we'll never know.

If anyone has said that Kobe wasn't a superstar, they haven't been watching the playoffs.

[TheKid]

As I've said many times before, Pippen probably would not have been as good if he never had the chance of playing with Jordan, but none the less he did. He sort of patterned his game after Jordan and picked up some things that elevated his game.

Without Jordan, Pippen lead his team to a 53 win season or something like that. (Whatever it was it was two less than the year before when Jordan played with them) In that same season, Pippen increased EVERY category statistically becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to lead his team in 7 statistical categories. He also lead the NBA in steals that year. Finished third in MVP voting, finished second in defensive player of the year. Won the All-star MVP. Also advanced his team to the semi's of the playoffs and was ousted because of one of the WORST calls I have EVER seen made by an official (Hugh Hollins the phantom foul on Hubert Davis). His ONLY terrible point that year was the infamous 1.8 seconds.

Now if Kobe would be able to elevate his team and play at that high level without Shaq, then I'd give him his props. Also, I said I'm not willing to label Kobe a superstar ONLY because he's on a team with the best player in the league. To be consistent with what I've been saying all along, Kobe had a breakout year this year, if he can continue to play at this high level, I'd say he's a superstar. I recognize he's one of the top players at his position now, but I truly believe a lot of it has to do with Shaq. Now Kobe hasn't had the luxury of playing an entire season without Shaq as Pippen has while he was still in his prime. Unfortunately I think Kobe will get that chance after he's out of his prime and it will be very hard to judge then. The same way, we'll never know if Pippen would have been an all time top 50 player without Jordan.

[Murphy3]

kobe has proven that he's clutch down the stretch and that he wants the ball. pippen never really proved that. and he's still not proving it, no matter where he goes

[TheKid]

Well I won't really argue there, because Pippen stepped up in MANY regular season games during his career, but not many during playoffs. You're correct, however one does come to mind. Their last championship in Utah, Pippen had a broken disc in his back, played through the pain and hit two big shots down the stretch that helped them win. He didn't have the big game, but he stepped up when his team needed him. I have to give him credit there. If you've ever had back trouble, you know that's some shit you don't want to mess around with.

Also, it's hard to establish yourself towards the end of games when you're teammate is the GREATEST clutch shooter of all time. I think the ONLY way you would get the ball is if HE decided to pass it to you when he couldn't get his shot off.

[TheKid]

While it wasn't an OUTSTANDING Performance, last year he stepped up big for Portland. Dunleavy's antics had more to do with them BLOWING that Lakers series than any of the players actually did. Which after that series he should have retired, instead he came back this year and COMPLETELY embarrassed himself.

[reeds]

Has a Pippen team without Jordan ever won it all?

Nuff said...

[scooterj5]

Reeds that doesn't prove much. I mean did Jordan ever win without Pippen? NO. Also, why is this in the Mavs section.