Scottie Pippen Was Very Sad When Michael Jordan Retired From NBA In 1993: ‘I Was Overcome With A Deep Sense Of Loss’

Scottie Pippen wrote in his book that he was very sad when Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993. 

Jordan retired after leading the Chicago Bulls to their third consecutive championship. His father was tragically murdered in the summer of 1993. 

Pippen wrote in his book that he wore sunglasses at Jordan’s retirement press conference so people couldn’t see him get emotional. 

“Michael sat at the front table with his wife, Juanita, along with Phil Jackson, Jerry Krause, Jerry Reinsdorf, and Commissioner David Stern,” Pippen wrote. “I stood in the back with several of my teammates, wearing shades. I had a feeling I might shed a few tears before the day was over. So what if Michael and I weren’t as close off the court as people assumed? The two of us would forever be linked together on a franchise that won three straight championships. I was overcome with a deep sense of loss as I listened to him explain why he was leaving. That a part of me was leaving, too.”

The Bulls won the 1991 championship against the Los Angeles Lakers, the 1992 championship against the Portland Trail Blazers and the 1993 championship against the Phoenix Suns.

Jordan won all three Finals MVPs. 

“I noticed something different about Michael that day,” Pippen wrote. “He was happy. I’d seen him happy before, of course. Just not like this. As if he had been freed from something. Which he was. No more practices. No more press conferences. No more plane rides from one end of the country to the other. He could now enjoy his wealth and time anyway he pleased.”

Jordan played baseball during the 1993-94 NBA season. He returned to basketball near the end of the 1994-95 season. 

Pippen and Jordan guided the Bulls to three more championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Chicago beat the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 Finals and the Utah Jazz in the 1997 and 1998 Finals. 

Jordan played for the Bulls twice. He averaged 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.9 blocks and won five MVPs, six Finals MVPs, three steals titles, 10 scoring titles and one Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Pippen also had two stints with the Bulls. He averaged 17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks and made seven All-Star teams, seven All-NBA teams and 10 All-Defensive teams.

Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.8 blocks next to Pippen, while Pippen averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks alongside Jordan. 

“The two of us will forever be linked together, the best duo in NBA history,” Pippen wrote. “He helped make my dreams come true, as I helped make his.”