Michael Jordan would have paid money to watch Scottie Pippen play basketball: ‘Scottie does a lot of things on the court that amaze me’

NBA icon Michael Jordan would have paid money to watch Scottie Pippen play basketball. 

Jordan admitted this in July 1996 after guiding the Chicago Bulls to their fourth championship against the Seattle SuperSonics. 

“I would pay to see Scottie Pippen play,” Jordan said. “I think he is the ultimate team player. A guy that can score, pass, rebound and play defense. I also think he’s great to have in the locker room. We have been closer this year and I have really enjoyed that.”

The Bulls were 514-177 in the regular season when Jordan and Pippen were in the lineup. 

Jordan and Pippen led Chicago to six rings and went 6-0 in the NBA Finals in the ’90s. 

“I’m telling you, Scottie does a lot of things on the court that amaze me,” Jordan said. “He moves really well and has those long arms and legs, and basically has no weaknesses. Also, he’s matured and is confident of his role on this team. At times, he amazes me.”

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 next to Jordan.

In Episode 2 of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” doc, Jordan called Pippen his best teammate of all time. 

Jordan never won a playoff series with the Bulls until Pippen joined the franchise in 1987. 

“I would never be able to find a tandem, another support system, another partner in the game of basketball like Scottie Pippen,” Jordan said. “He was a pleasure to play with. He helped me so much in the way that I approached the game, the way I played the game. Whenever they speak Michael Jordan, they should speak Scottie Pippen. Everybody says well I won all these championships, but I didn’t win without Scottie Pippen. And that’s why I consider him my best teammate of all time.”

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

Jordan also 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 with Chicago. 

Arguably the best player in NBA history, Jordan made 12 All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams and nine All-Defensive teams with the Bulls. 

Most sports observers believe Jordan and Pippen are the best duo of all time since they three-peated twice and went undefeated in the NBA Finals.

Both Bulls legends have their numbers retired in Chicago and are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jordan and Pippen are also on the 75th Anniversary Team.