Chicago Bulls legend and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen is one of the greats of the sport who was part of the renaissance era in basketball. Alongside Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, the Bulls redefined how basketball was being perceived globally while dominating the league with six championships in eight years.
Pippen was also part of the ’92 Dream Team, which lit up the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Team USA went on to win the gold medal while asserting supreme authority over their opponents and playing a new brand of basketball that wasn’t seen in previous years.
As the global ambassador for the Sanitas Foundation, Pippen returned to Barcelona, Spain, where he sat down with Marca for an exclusive interview. In addition to being involved in many promotional events, Pippen discussed many aspects of the game and how the stars, playing styles, and rules had changed from the 1990s to the present.
Scottie Pippen Took a Sly Dig at Lebron James
Pippen was asked to provide his unfettered opinions on the prospect of an All-Star game between the USA and the rest of the world. Replying to the same, Pippen argued that the league needed some fresh injection of youth in the game while stating that seasoned players who had been All-Stars for multiple years in the past wouldn’t be that interested in these types of games.
Pippen said, “I just think they must bring in ‘new blood.’ The players who have been repeating as All-Stars for 17, 18, or 20 years are guys who don’t want to be there anymore, and that hurts the game. If they bring in new blood and let young players go, I think they could get a competitive game.”
Pippen will do the honorary tip-off for a special All-Star game conducted by the Sanitas Foundation. The game will include players with and without disabilities in a positive attempt to promote inclusivity in sports.
Pippen Had Some Opinions on European Stars, Luka Dončić, and Nikola Jokić
Pippen was asked whether he thought Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić could dominate the game in the 90’s era, as they are currently doing. He replied, “I don’t know if they could dominate. In the 80s and 90s, we used to press all over the field.”
Pippen added, “Could Jokic bring the ball up against such pressure? I don’t know. Sure, he can see the court and pass very well. But I don’t know if he would be comfortable bringing the ball up from the back with that pressure.”
Pippen celebrates his 60th birthday today. He spent 17 years in the NBA with three different teams. The majority of his playing tenure in the NBA came with the Bulls, during which time he won six championships, became a seven-time All-Star, won the All-Star MVP, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times.
