by Adrianne Grayson

Created on: February 19, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen is forty-one years old and has not played in the NBA for two and half years. Pippen has just put himself verbally for teams to strike up conversation about picking him up for the second half of the season. Pippen is one of the fifty greatest players in the NBA. Pippen has won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He has played for The Houston Rockets, The Portland Trailblazers and back to Chicago. He finished his last season with the Bulls with injuries and limited playing time. Pippen believes that he can help any team out. But at forty-one? Even with the two year lay off an 82 plus season for a guy with back problems and not so great knees is a risk. What team would be interested in picking up the future hall of famer?

You cannot over look Pippens ability in his prime with the Bulls. The leadership that he brought to the Portland Trailblazers and his knowledge of the triangle are things that you should consider. Pippen played along side the greatest player in the history of the game named Michael Jordan. He was also coached by one of the winnest coaches in the NBA named Phil Jackson. Pippen's knowledge of the game and defensive prowess is one of the things that players and coaches loved about him. His long arms and quickness enabled him to guard smaller players than his 6'7 frame. If you remember during the 98 championship run against the Indiana Pacers for the Eastern conference title, Pippen was the one guarding Mark Jackson, the Pacers point guard. By slowing down their point guard the Bulls were able to win the conference title in seven games. Pippen's defense spearheaded the Bulls into the championship round where they won their sixth and final championship.
The value of Pippen was just as much as valued as Jordans. Without Pippen, Jordan did not have the luxury of having a running mate that was considered an equal to him on the floor. Pippen helped run the offense and was often the one who sent his teammates out to double team on defense. Jordan led on offense and Pippen led on defense. But at forty-one will he be able to do those very things that made him great in his prime? We will have to see who picks him up for the second half of the season.

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