JerkishBehavior Hall Of Fame Inductee: Scottie Pippen
JerkishBehavior Hall of Fame Inductee: Scottie Pippen
The 2nd inductee into the JerkishBehavior Hall of Fame, the most under appreciated great player in basketball history is Scottie Pippen. Scottie Pippen played with the greatest player ever in Michael Jordan so of course his accomplishments and greatness was always overshadowed. But Scottie’s versatility allowed Mike to be able to focus on scoring while Scottie handled most of the ball-handling and covering the oppositions best player responsibilities. The Chicago Bulls won their 1st championship against the Lakers largely in part because Scottie’s defense on Magic Johnson. Scottie Pippen was one of the best on the ball defenders ever because of his long wingspan and athletic ability where he was always one of the league leaders in steals. Scottie Pippen was known for his versatility and created the point forward position where now every player over 6-7 wants to be a point guard and bring the ball up the court. He had one of the best mid-range games there was and was known for consistently making shots off glass (Pre-Tim Duncan). Scottie was also one of the best in-game dunkers in the League where he loved posterizing big men just ask Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone. At one point, I even started patterning my basketball game more after Scottie than Jordan because he did so many things well. Needless to say, Scottie Pippen had game and wasn’t just riding Jordan’s coattails like the critics will have you to believe.
The critics forget the 93-94 season (Mike’s 1st retirement) where Scottie led the Bulls in scoring, assists, and the league in steals. He won the All-Star game MVP award and finished 3rd in the MVP voting, which he should’ve won off gp (No Jordan). Scottie Pippen also led the Bulls to the 2nd round of the playoffs against archrivals the New York Knicks. The Bulls ended up losing the series in 7 games but that’s only because of Hue Hollins in Game 5. Hue Hollins called a touch foul in the final seconds of a tied playoff game and series that led to the Knicks winning that game and series as well. My heart was broken and still ‘til this day, I hate Hue Hollins for calling a foul that should never be called in the final seconds of a game let alone a playoff game and ruining Scottie Pippen’s solo claim to greatness. The following season, Scottie Pippen lead the Bulls in every single statistical category and Michael Jordan was on that team towards the end of the year. Scottie Pippen is one of only four players in NBA history to accomplish that feat and Jordan isn’t one of them. The other thing that most people along with critics forget is that Scottie Pippen was going to win NBA Finals MVP for the Bulls 6th championship. Unfortunately, Scottie hurt his back at the start of game 6 and Michael Jordan’s 45 points and “Final Shot” happened which ended that. Nevertheless, Scottie Pippen put in work alongside and without Jordan and should be recognized as his own entity. Scottie Pippen also had some of the best/flyest basketball shoes out and made shoes with air bubbles popular. I copped a pair of Pippen’s every year they came out and my first pair of Nike’s was some Scottie’s. He was just the truth all the way around and is the best small forward to ever play the game along with being an all-time great. That’s why Scottie Pippen is the 2nd inductee into the JerkishBehavior Hall of Fame.
5 JerkishBehavior Moments
1. During the 94-5 season, Scottie Pippen led the Chicago Bulls in EVERY single statistical category (points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals), Who does that?
2. Scottie Pippen rocked the brightest red shoes ever in the 1994 NBA All-Star game and ended up winning the MVP award, must’ve been the shoes. What a JERK!!!
3. Scottie Pippen is one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players ever and received this distinction while he was still actively playing.
4. Scottie Pippen dunked on one of the greatest shot blockers ever during the NBA Playoffs in Patrick Ewing so bad that he pushed him to the floor then proceeded to tell him about it. Nasty!!!
5. At the age of 42 in 2008, Scottie Pippen went on a basketball comeback tour overseas in Sweden and average 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Once a great always a great!!!
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