Michael Jordan Gave Scottie Pippen Golf Clubs As Rookie Gift But Pippen’s Doctor Told Him Not To Play: ‘Don’t Play Golf If You Want To Have A Basketball Career’

NBA icon Scottie Pippen wrote in his book,” Unguarded,” that Michael Jordan gave him a set of golf clubs as a rookie gift. 

However, Pippen’s doctor told him not to play golf. 

“When I was a rookie in 1987, Michael gave me a set of Wilson golf clubs,” Pippen wrote. “He was inviting me into his sanctuary away from basketball. Except I was too naive to realize it. It didn’t help that I was having serious problems with my back. My doctor didn’t mince words: ‘Don’t play golf if you want to have a basketball career.'”

It’s a good thing Pippen listened to his doctor. By not playing golf with Jordan, Pippen was able to protect his back and have a Hall of Fame career.

Jordan and Pippen guided the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in the ’90s. The Bulls three-peated twice and went undefeated in the Finals. 

Pippen’s back became a serious problem in the 1998 Finals against the Utah Jazz. In Game 6, Pippen dunked the ball on the first possession and hurt his back so much that he kept going in and out of the game to receive treatment.

“When I dunked the ball on the first possession of the game, it felt as if someone had stabbed me in the back,” Pippen wrote in his book. “The shock of the landing pinched my nerve. Every time I ran, I got a spasm. I tried to gut it out. I couldn’t. With us leading 17-8, I went to the locker room for electrical stimulation and some stretching. I remained there the rest of the half.”

Pippen somehow played 25 minutes in Game 6. He finished with eight points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

The Bulls beat the Jazz by a final score of 87-86 in Game 6 to capture their sixth title. Jordan made the game-winning basket over Bryon Russell. He was named Finals MVP for the sixth time. 

Jordan and Pippen are no longer friends, but they are universally recognized as the greatest duo in NBA history. The Bulls were 514-177 in the regular season when Jordan and Pippen played.

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. 

“I don’t usually allow our lack of closeness to bother me,” Pippen wrote. “I have plenty of friends. Yet there are occasions, and watching the doc was definitely one, when I think about the relationship I wish the two of us had, and it hurts. It hurts a lot. By no means am I an innocent party here. I missed some openings that might have made a difference, and I have to live with that.

“Another opportunity, if you can call it that, came during the summer of 1993, and I feel horrible every time I think about it. Michael’s father, James Jordan, had been murdered. The two were inseparable. When I heard the news, I should have reached out to Michael right away. Instead, I went through the Bulls’ PR department, and once they told me no one from the organization had been in contact with him, I gave up. Having lost my own dad three years before, I might have been able to offer Michael some comfort. To this day, he and I haven’t spoken about his father’s death.”