Scottie Pippen

Infobox NBAretired


width=200 scotty pippin was traded to the Stupid sonics

height_ft = 6 | height_in = 8
weight_lbs = 228
team = Chicago Bulls
number = 33
caption=
position=Small forward
number=33
nickname=
birthdate=birth date and age|1965|9|25
Hamburg, Arkansas
debutyear=1987
finalyear=2004
draftyear=1987
draftround=1
draftpick=5
college=Central Arkansas
teams=
* Chicago Bulls (1987-1998, 2003-2004)
* Houston Rockets (1998-1999)
* Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003)
stat1label=Points
stat1value=18,940
stat2label=Assists
stat2value=6,135
stat3label=Steals
stat3value=2,307
bbr=pippesc01
letter=p
highlights=
* 6x NBA Champion (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
* 7x NBA All-Star (1990, 1992-1997)
* 3x All-NBA First Team Selection (1994-1996)
* 2x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1992, 1997)
* 2x All-NBA Third Team Selection (1993, 1998)
* 8x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1992-1999)
* 2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team Selection (1991, 2000)
* 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1994)
* NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Scottie Maurice Pippen (born September 25, 1965) is an American retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA), most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls in which he helped lead the team to six NBA championships.

Pippen is widely regarded as being one of the best defenders of his era, in which he was named NBA All-Defensive Team eight times and All-NBA First Team three times. Along with his defensive play, he was also a seven-time NBA All Star and was the NBA All Star game MVP in 1994. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History during the 1996–97 NBA season. He is one of four players to have their jerseys retired by the Chicago Bulls, the others being Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, and Michael Jordan. During his seventeen year career, he played twelve seasons with the Bulls, one with the Rockets and four with the Trail Blazers, making the post-season sixteen straight times. He has played in more post-season games than any other players except Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Horry.

Pippen will be eligible for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Early life

Scottie Pippen was born in Hamburg, Arkansas, attending college at the University of Central Arkansas. At the start of his college career, the then 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Pippen was a walk-on for the NAIA school and depended on his stipend for being the team manager and his summer job as a welder to fund his education. [nba.com/history, [http://www.nba.com/history/players/pippen_bio.html Scottie Pippen Bio] , accessed February 9, 2008.] In those four years, however, Pippen grew to a height of 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m). He eventually reached 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) [ [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/scottie_pippen/index.html NBA.com official player profile] ] ) and improved enough by his senior year to be considered a viable NBA prospect.

NBA career

Early career

Pippen's performance in the pre-draft Portsmouth Invitational Tournament improved his draft stock dramatically. He was selected fifth overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics and traded immediately to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice. The trade is regarded as a steal by the Bulls as Pippen would go on to be named one of the Top 50 NBA players of all time.

Pippen immediately became part of Chicago's young forward tandem with 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) power forward Horace Grant, though both came off the bench to back up Brad Sellers and Charles Oakley, respectively, during their rookie seasons. Pippen claimed the starting small forward position during the 1988 playoffs with his stellar play, helping the Michael Jordan-led Bulls reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in over a decade.

The Bulls' first three-peat

Pippen continued to improve, helping the Bulls to the Conference Finals the following year as well as 1990, when he earned his first NBA All-Star Game berth. However, in the Conference Finals versus the Detroit Pistons, Pippen would suffer severe migraines during the deciding seventh game which would greatly affect his performance. In 1991, he continued to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with. Pippen emerged as the Bulls' primary defensive stopper and an offensive threat. He helped lead the Bulls to six NBA championships (1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1996–97, and 1997–98). Pippen was selected as one of the NBA's Fifty Greatest Players when the league was celebrating its fiftieth season in 1996.

Pippen became known for stellar defense in addition to his consistent scoring, earning 10 NBA All-Defensive Team nods, including 8 on the first team. In 1992, he was named to the original Dream Team which competed in the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Pippen without Jordan

Michael Jordan unexpectedly retired before the 1994 season, and in his absence Pippen finally emerged from Jordan's shadow and performed as one of the best players in the league. That year, he earned All-Star Game MVP honors and had perhaps his best season, leading the Bulls in scoring, assists, and the entire league in steals, averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.9 steals, 0.9 three-pointers, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 49.1% from the field and a career-best 32% from the three-point line. For his efforts, he earned the first of three straight All-NBA First Team nods, and finished third in the MVP voting. The Bulls finished the season with 55 wins, only two less than their previous championship year with Jordan still on the team.

However, perhaps the most infamous episode of Pippen's career came in the post-season of Pippen's first year without Jordan. In the 1994 NBA Playoffs, the Eastern Conference semifinals pitted the Bulls against their bitter rivals, the New York Knicks, whom the Bulls had dispatched en route to a championship in each of the previous three seasons. On May 13, 1994, down 2-0 in the series and tied 102-102 in Game Three, Bulls coach Phil Jackson needed a big play from his team to have any hope of advancing to the next round of the playoffs. With 1.8 seconds left and the score tied, Jackson designed the last play for rookie Toni Kukoč, with Pippen relegated to simply inbounding the basketball. Pippen, who had been the Bulls' leader all season long in Jordan's absence, was so angered by Jackson's decision to not let him take the potential game-winner that he refused to leave the bench and re-enter the game when the timeout was over.

Although Kukoč did eventually hit the game-winner, a 23-foot fadeaway jumper, there was little celebrating to be done by the Bulls, as television cameras caught an unsmiling Phil Jackson storming out of the arena. "Scottie asked out of the play," Jackson would tell reporters moments later in the post-game interview room. Those seeking further answers found Pippen in the locker room after the game, looking shell-shocked and disoriented; when asked to confirm Jackson's statement, Pippen could only respond with "Yeah, pretty much ... We exchanged words, and I just took a seat."

Teammate Steve Kerr elaborated when recently asked to recall the event: "I was shocked," he said. "The only way to describe it was total disbelief. Here was a guy who had done so much for our team, who had been our leader all year long. He was, and still is, one of the greatest teammates I've ever had. But on that day, I think all the pressure and frustration of our season caught up with him, and he snapped." Pippen later apologized to his teammates after the incident.

The Bulls went on to lose the 1994 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks in seven games. A second controversy occurred in the series at the end of game 5 when Pippen was called for a debatable foul on the Knicks' Hubert Davis in the waning seconds of the game, which allowed the Knicks to win game 5.

Trade rumors involving Pippen escalated during the 1994 offseason. Jerry Krause, the Bulls' General Manager (and a man who did not get along with Pippen at all), was reported to be looking to ship Pippen off to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for all-star forward Shawn Kemp, moving Toni Kukoč into Pippen's position as starting small forward with Kemp filling in the vacant starting power forward position in place of Horace Grant, a free agent who left the Bulls for the up-and-coming Orlando Magic during the off-season. However, the trade was never made and those rumors were put to rest once it was announced that Michael Jordan would be returning to the Bulls late in the 1994-95 season. Chicago certainly needed Jordan's presence as much as ever, because the Pippen-led Bulls did not fare nearly as well in 1994-95 as they had the season before -- in fact, for the first time in years they were in danger of missing the playoffs (though much of this may be attributed to a lack of interior defense and rebounding due to Grant's departure). The Bulls were just 34-31 prior to Jordan's return for the final 17 games, and MJ led them to a 13-4 record to close the regular season. Still, Pippen finished the 1994-95 season leading the Bulls in every major statistical category: assists, rebounds, points, steals, and blocks; Pippen is one of only five players in NBA history to accomplish this feat.

The Bulls' second three-peat

With Jordan's return to the NBA, the Bulls once again became the league's dominant team. With a revamped roster that included Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley, the Bulls managed to post the best regular season record in NBA history (72-10) in 1996 en route to winning their fourth title against the Seattle SuperSonics. In the following season, Chicago finished a league-best 69-13 and again won the title, this time defeating the Utah Jazz. Amid speculation that the 1997-98 season would be the last in Chicago for Pippen, Jordan, and Jackson, the Bulls followed up by topping the Jazz again in the Finals in to cap their second three-peat.

Later career

After playing in Chicago for 11 seasons, his tumultuous relationship with General Manager Jerry Krause came to a head, and as Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson also departed Chicago, the second all-time leader in points, assists, and steals in Bulls franchise history was traded to the Houston Rockets for the lockout-shortened season in 1998–99. Pippen's trade to Houston received a lot of publicity including his only solo cover of "Sports Illustrated". [si.cnn.com, [http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/covers/search SI Covers Search] , accessed February 9, 2008 Note: enter Scottie Pippen in the SI Covers Search box] While there he teamed with Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley to form one of the best front lines in NBA history, but his failure to assume the "franchise" mantle from Olajuwon led to chemistry problems (with Barkley in particular) and eventually his departure.

On April 22, 1999, Pippen was detained under suspicion of driving while intoxicated, [si.cnn.com, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1999/04/22/pippen_arrested/ Pippen arrested on suspicion of DWI] , Associated Press, published April 22, 1999, accessed February 9, 2008.] but the charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Following the disappointing lockout-shortened season in Houston, Pippen was traded in the offseason to the Portland Trail Blazers, whom he helped to the Western Conference finals. But once there, they lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, despite holding a commanding 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of the final game. Pippen played on for several more seasons in Portland, but they never again advanced that far in the playoffs. After the 2002-03 season he signed once more with the Chicago Bulls, but due to injury problems he was only able to suit up for 23 games in 2003-04 and retired shortly after the season.

For the most part, Pippen was a near-constant presence in the NBA postseason over the course of his career, reaching the playoffs 16 straight years (11 with Chicago, 1 with Houston, 4 with Portland), and has played in more playoff games than any NBA player except Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Horry.

Pippen is considered among the best supporting players in NBA history and is also notable for having been a prototypical "point forward", a term which he popularized (and revitalized) with his ball-handling, passing and court vision—skills traditionally limited to point guards. This was in addition to his rebounding, scoring, and defense, all contributing to his consistent play for over a decade.

Retirement

After retiring, he spent some time working as a basketball analyst for the Chicago Bulls. Currently, he is a special assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. On December 25, 2005, Pippen debuted as studio analyst for the NBA on ABC. Before this he was a part-time analyst for ESPN.

The Chicago Bulls retired Pippen's jersey number on December 9, 2005 in a ceremony. The team played against the Los Angeles Lakers that night, and Pippen was reunited with Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Horace Grant during the ceremony. Pippen's jersey number, 33, joins Michael Jordan's 23, Jerry Sloan's 4, and Bob Love's 10 as the only four numbers retired by the Bulls.

Return

ESPN reported in February 2007 that Pippen was contemplating a return to the NBA. Having been forced to retire three years prior due to a knee injury, Pippen expressed hope to play for an NBA team for the last two months of the 2006-07 season. [espn.com, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2767861 Pippen says he wants to play for contender] , accessed February 9, 2008.]

Pippen's announcement of a possible return to the NBA came on the heels of a $5 million settlement against him for breach of a contract being upheld, suggesting another reason for Pippen's return. [newstribune.com, [http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2007/02/19/news_state/316state19nba.txt Appeals court upholds judgment against former NBA star] , accessed February 9, 2008.] Charles Barkley was one of several commentators that were skeptical of Pippen's return, comparing the chances of that to his own desire of being thin (Barkley has been known to poke fun at his own weight frequently).

At the 2007 NBA All-Star game, Pippen temporarily returned to the basketball spotlight as a participant in the Haier Shooting Stars competition. Although his squad was disqualified due to an infraction committed during his two teammates' respective turns, Pippen did make his three point shot and a half court shot. Pippen had announced that the Miami Heat would be his preferred place to play. Other teams that were speculated to have interest in signing him were the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and the Los Angeles Lakers. In a March 2007 article on ESPN.com, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says he had talked with Pippen, "but it was just preliminary talk about how he's doing, where he's at and how he feels. I would say he kind of talked about the parameters of what he thinks he can do to help." Jackson said. [espn.com, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2787572 Lakers' Jackson Talking With Scottie Pippen For A Possible Comeback] , accessed February 9, 2008.] By the end of the season, however, Pippen went unsigned by any team.

On December 11, 2007 Pippen's long waited contract with Torpan Pojat of Finnish Korisliiga was finally announced sealing negotiations that had started around May 2006. [topo.fi, [http://www.topo.fi/uutinen.php?newsid=604 ToPo to sign Pippen] , accessed February 9, 2008.] He played on January 4 against Porvoon Tarmo scoring 12 points and 7 rebounds [koris.net, [http://213.197.180.56/fba/index.php/b19sYW5nPWVuJm9fc2Vhcz04Jm9fbGVhZz01JmZ1c2VhY3Rpb249cGxheWVycy5tYWluJnQ9NDcmcD0yMTgw Scottie Pippen stats] , accessed February 9, 2008.] and played on January 5 against Honka. [topo.fi, [http://www.topo.fi/uutinen.php?newsid=1389 Torpan Pojat vs. Espoon Honka] , accessed February 9, 2008.] He scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in that game.

On November 27, 2007, it was announced that Pippen will play one game for the Sundsvall Dragons of the Swedish basketball league, against Akropol BBK on January 11, 2008. [sundsvalldragons.com, [http://www.sundsvalldragons.com/news_show_scottie_pippen_spelar_med_dragons.html?id=258104 Sundsvall Dragons sign Pippen] , accessed February 9, 2008.] He scored 21 points in the 102-74 victory for the Dragons.

On January 3, 2008, Pippen announced that he would be interested in the vacant coaching position left after the firing of Scott Skiles by Bulls general manager John Paxson. "What's my disadvantage?" Pippen asked. "No NBA coaching experience? Scott Skiles' record with the Bulls wasn't that great. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to do what you've done your whole life. I've played basketball, run teams and won....They didn't put me at point guard because I could dribble good. They put me there because I could run a team. I wasn't the best dribbler, the best shooter. I wasn't a point guard. But I knew how to run a team." [ [http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-071230smithonbullsscottiepippen,1,293563.column?coll=cs-bulls-headlines Pippen itching to coach] , "Chicago Tribune". Accessed February 9, 2008.]

Achievements and records

Holds NBA Records for:
*Assists by a forward, career (6,135) [basketball-reference.com, [http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&type=totals&per_minute_base=48&year_min=1947&year_max=2008&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&lg_id=NBA&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=F&qual=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=ast Career assist leaders - forwards] , accessed February 9, 2008.]
*Steals by a forward, career (2,307) [basketball-reference.com, [http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&type=totals&per_minute_base=48&year_min=1947&year_max=2008&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&lg_id=NBA&franch_id=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos=F&qual=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=stl Career steal leaders - forwards] , accessed February 9, 2008.]
*Steals, Playoffs, career (395) [nba.com/history, [http://www.nba.com/history/records/alltime_playoffs_ind_career.html All-Time Playoffs Individual Career Leaders] , accessed February 9, 2008.]
*Three point field goals made, NBA Finals, game (7, shared with Kenny Smith and Ray Allen)
*One of three players in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks, season (1989-90 season):*Michael Jordan performed the feat back-to-back in 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons:*Hakeem Olajuwon in 1988-89 season
*Half of only the 10th tandem in NBA history to score 40 points in the same game:*Pippen scored 40 points and Michael Jordan scored 44 points against the Indiana Pacers on February 18, 1996
*Half of only the 9th tandem in NBA history to record triple doubles in the same game:*with Michael Jordan

Achievements:
*Pippen recorded 17 career triple-doubles in the regular season.
*Led NBA in Steals (232) and Steals Per Game (2.94) in 1994-95 season.
*Chicago Bulls Career Leader in Three-Point Field Goals Made (664), Three-Point Field Goals Attempted (2,031) and Personal Fouls (2,534).
*His 10 NBA All-Defensive honors and 8 NBA All-Defensive First Team honors are each one shy of the NBA record.

Personal life

Pippen has four children:three boys, Scottie Jr., Preston, and Antron. He is married to Assyrian-American Larsa Younan and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Pippen has reportedly received $289,000 in farm subsidies. [wlbz2.com, [http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=63283 Some Farm Subsidies Going To The Rich And Famous] , accessed February 9, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/scottie_pippen NBA.com Profile]
* [http://www.nba.com/historical/playerfile/index.html?player=scottie_pippen NBA.com historical playerfile]
*
* [http://www.nba.com/history/players/pippen_summary.html NBA.com: Scottie Pippen Summary]