Scottie Pippen Enjoys Watching ‘Special’ Jalen Williams Play Basketball: ‘I See A Lot Of Me In Him’

NBA legend Scottie Pippen enjoys watching Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams play basketball. 

Pippen, one of the greatest players in NBA history, sees a lot of himself in Williams. 

“He is pretty special,” Pippen told ESPN. “I’m enjoying watching him. I see a lot of me in him for sure. I see a guy rising to be one of the top players in this league. He’s definitely a player that is capable of being able to lead that franchise to multiple championships — him and Shai, of course.”

Williams and the Thunder are one win away from winning the 2025 championship. 

Pippen and Michael Jordan won six rings together on the Chicago Bulls in the ’90s.

The Bulls went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice during the Pippen-Jordan era.

“I feel like a new-age Scottie maybe,” Williams told ESPN. “I’m not mad at that one at all. I like that. And then obviously Shai gets a little Jordan comparison, so that’s cool. It’s very cool. Any time you compared to somebody like that, you’re doing something right.”

Williams made the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams this year. He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists during the regular season. 

A one-time All-Star, Williams erupted for 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. 

“I don’t even want to put a cap on him to say that he’s going to be me,” Pippen said. “I see him being greater, if I can say that. Just because of where the game is today. They have offensive freedom. We didn’t have that. We mostly ran out of a system. These guys have the freedom to shoot 3-balls and things of that nature. Players that are playing in today’s game have a chance to be better than players in the past because of the ability to shoot the ball.

“If this kid continues to shoot the 3-ball the way that he shoots it, I’m not going to sit here and argue with nobody and say that you can compare us. Because you can’t. He wins.”

Williams has a long way to catch Pippen, who is arguably the best two-way player of all time.

The Bulls icon made seven All-NBA and 10 All-Defensive teams during his legendary career.