Scottie Pippen made his stance clear on the NBA’s plans for European expansion. The former Chicago Bulls star recently shared his two cents on the league’s plans, and the take was overall fairly positive.
Pippen’s comments follow NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s comments on the strong and “ambitious” 2027 timeline for introducing a new European league. Earlier this year, FIBA and the NBA announced plans for a new European league, putting to rest speculation about whether the move would ever be made.
‘There Are No Limits’ — Scottie Pippen Weighs In on NBA’s European Expansion
Speaking to MARCA in an exclusive interview, Scottie Pippen provided a thumbs-up when asked about the NBA’s European League.
“I think it would be great. In basketball, I repeat, the same language is spoken all over the world,” the six-time NBA champion added. “So there are no limits. As far as the growth of the game, hopefully, one day we’ll see a team. And in Europe, hopefully they come with at least one or two teams, so it’s worth the trip.”
In the same interview, Pippen was also asked about European stars and their ability to dominate in the NBA during his era. Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić and Serbia’s Nikola Jokić have been some of the top names, but Pippen has his doubts.
“I don’t know if they could dominate,” Pippen remarked. “In the ’80s and ’90s, we used to press all over the field. 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.”
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Pippen was one of the more decorated players of his time as he played a vital role in the Bulls’ dominance in the 90s. He was part of a clinical unit alongside Michael Jordan and won six titles during that time. He was also a part of the iconic 1992 Dream Team and ended his 17-year NBA career as a seven-time All-Star and eight All-Defensive first team selection.
On the NBA’s European League front, preliminary plans see 16 teams. It’s worth noting that the numbers could eventually change.
Per ESPN, the likes of existing clubs like Barcelona, Fenerbahce Istanbul, and Real Madrid are all expected to be major players, though nothing is confirmed yet. Expectations from the European League are high, but only time will tell if it will be a success.
