Horace Grant, the four-time NBA champion, is asking two old friends to put the past behind them. Grant will officially be inducted into the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor on Nov. 22, 2025.
But instead of simply celebrating his own legacy, the Bulls legend is using the moment to send a very public message to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Horace Grant’s Request to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
Grant is launching a new TV series with 13 episodes, each featuring a one-on-one conversation with former teammates and NBA legends. Scottie Pippen, Gary Payton, and Charles Oakley are among the names confirmed.
That alone would’ve generated plenty of buzz. But while speaking to HoopsHype, Grant made headlines for something else entirely.
When asked about the long-standing rift between Jordan and Pippen, Grant came up with a hopeful message:
“Oh, man, I think and I hope and pray that they both come to such a moment that they can both sit down and talk this thing out,” he said.
He paused, then added:
“Now you have two great, great players, great teammates. I don’t want to say beefing because when you’re 60 and older, we don’t have that much time.”
“So I would say to MJ and Pip – I pray and hope that you guys can settle this silliness.”
It’s one of the strongest public statements yet from anyone close to the two legends. And it comes at a time when their relationship appears more fractured than ever.
The Incident that Started the Jordan-Pippen Rift
Jordan and Pippen were the axis of one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
They first crossed paths in the late 1980s. Jordan was already a rising superstar in Chicago. Pippen, originally drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics, was traded to the Bulls and quickly became Jordan’s perfect running mate.
Together, they won six championships. Their record as a duo: 514–177, a staggering 74.4% winning percentage.
They were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame with praises for one another. Their relationship, at least publicly, seemed built on respect.
That changed in 2020 with the release of The Last Dance.
The 10-part series, co-produced by Jordan’s production company, chronicled the Bulls’ final championship run. But it also became a celebration of Jordan – something Pippen later said blindsided him.
In his memoir Unguarded, Pippen wrote that the doc “glorified Michael Jordan” and “didn’t give nearly enough praise to me and my proud teammates.”
From that moment, the tension has only grown.
Pippen has since taken jabs at Jordan during interviews. Jordan has stayed mostly silent, but silence has spoken loudly.
Grant isn’t just another voice weighing in, though. He spent seven seasons alongside Jordan and Pippen in Chicago. He was in the locker room, on those flights, and those huddles.
His series, launching just as he enters the Ring of Honor, is meant to celebrate connection and storytelling among NBA greats, which makes his words even more pointed.
Pippen played 11 of his 17 seasons next to Jordan. His Airness is now a contributor to NBC Sports’ NBA coverage. Meanwhile, Pippen has appeared as an analyst on multiple networks but has distanced himself since The Last Dance.
That said, both remain pillars of the Bulls’ brand and will be directly tied to the organization forever.
