NBA legends Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan never had dinner just the two of them while playing for the Chicago Bulls.
Pippen and Jordan are universally recognized as the best duo in NBA history.
The Bulls went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice during the Pippen-Jordan era.
However, according to Pippen, he and Jordan were never friends.
“I Was NEVER Jordan’s Friend” – Scottie Pippen OPENS UP About His STRAINED Relationship With MJ@patrickbetdavid @ScottiePippen pic.twitter.com/S9K8DtOZus
— PBD Podcast (@PBDsPodcast) January 18, 2025
The last time Pippen and Jordan spoke was in 2020.
Jordan found out Pippen was mad at him because of how “The Last Dance” docuseries turned out and sent a text message to his ex-teammate.
“The text was from Michael,” Pippen wrote in his book titled Unguarded. “He didn’t reach out very often. ‘What’s up dude? I’m getting word that you’re upset with me. Love to talk about it if you have time.’ My schedule was packed that evening and I knew the conversation would take a while. I hit him back an hour and a half later: ‘Let’s talk tomorrow.’”
Pippen messaged Jordan back letting him know how he felt.
The Bulls icons haven’t spoken or seen each other since.
“I was disappointed in the documentary,” Pippen texted Jordan. “It didn’t shine a good light on me. You were promoting The Last Dance but switched it to the Michael Jordan documentary. I don’t know what you are selling. Was I great or was I villain?”
When Jordan’s father was killed in 1993, Pippen didn’t offer MJ condolences.
Why? Because Pippen didn’t have Jordan’s phone number.
“As soon as I heard the news, I contacted Tim Hallam, the PR guy for the Bulls,” Pippen wrote in his book. “I was hoping Tim could let Michael know how badly I felt for him and his family. I couldn’t call Michael myself. I didn’t have his number. Besides, he had a strong support group around him. He didn’t need to hear from me. What could I possibly say others couldn’t? Tim told me no one from the organization had been in contact with Michael. When I heard that, I should immediately have tried another way. I knew plenty of people who could have easily gotten a message to him. Instead I told myself I was off the hook because I had made my attempt.”
Jordan, arguably the best player in NBA history, averaged 31.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.8 blocks alongside Pippen.
Meanwhile, Pippen — one of the top two-way players ever — averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks next to Jordan.
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