Bulls' Scottie Pippen gets candid about Michael Jordan relationship

Alex Kirschenbaum

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Bulls' Scottie Pippen gets candid about Michael Jordan relationship image

On the court, Chicago Bulls Hall of Fame wings Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were virtually unstoppable during their dynastic run in the 1990s. 

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The dynamic duo were once a two-way wrecking crew while sharing the floor from 1987-98, often submitting an unbeatable offensive attack while clamping down on their All-Star perimeter opposition on the other end. Pippen spoke to Jorge Quiroga of Marca about where he and Jordan stand.

Pippen suggested to Quiroga that the Bulls' 1995-96 squad, which went a then-record 72-10 in the regular season en route to their first of three straight championships (and six in eight years), could be the best ever "on paper."

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"What we achieved that season places us as one of the best teams in history," Pippen posited.

When asked specifically about his relationship with Jordan, Pippen reiterated a frequent line he's trotted out over the years.

"It was never a very close relationship," Pippen revealed. "But when we played, we had great chemistry. That's the way this business is. Same with [Hall of Fame head coach] Phil Jackson. We're not close friends anymore. That's life, things change."

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In addition to the Bulls' six titles, Jackson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five titles from 2000-10.

"I can count on one hand the friends I played with and still talk to," Pippen said.

Pippen went on tour with two of those players, All-Star power forward Horace Grant and former starting center Luc Longley, in 2024.

A 10-time All-Defensive Teamer, Pippen opined that the game has changed significantly from his playing prime.

"Basketball in the late 1980s and early 1990s was as physical as it got," Pippen said. "It's not the same today; the hard fouls they used to be aren't allowed anymore. Teams played with a different mentality."

The NBA has revised its hand-check rules, making it easier for scorers to drive in the lane without aggressive contact.

"Over the last 15 or 20 years, offense has been promoted more. They changed the rules to increase scoring," Pippen said. "But it's been good for the game. Big players now shoot three-pointers. There are no longer pure centers. The game is positionless now; it's more open, more shot-based."

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Alex Kirschenbaum

Alex Kirschenbaum is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He grew up a devout Bulls fan, but his hoops fanaticism now extends to non-Bulls teams in adulthood. Currently also a scribe for Hoops Rumors, Sports Illustrated's On SI fan sites Newsweek and "Small Soldiers" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others