Scottie Pippen States Michael Jordan Made ‘The Last Dance’ Documentary To ‘Prove To The Current Generation’ That He Was Better Than LeBron James: ‘Each Episode Was The Same, Michael On A Pedestal, His Teammates Secondary’

Scottie Pippen thinks Michael Jordan made “The Last Dance” documentary to “prove to the current generation” of NBA fans that he was better than LeBron James.

Jordan and LeBron are universally recognized as the two best players in NBA history. 

Pippen, who won six NBA titles with Jordan on the Chicago Bulls in the ’90s, thought “The Last Dance” would be more about the Bulls’ dynasty, which is why he wasn’t happy with how the doc turned out. 

“I had expected much more,” Pippen wrote in his book. “When I was first told about it over a year earlier, I couldn’t wait to tune in, knowing it would feature rare footage. … Except Michael was determined to prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day — and still larger than LeBron James, the player many consider his equal, if not superior.”

Pippen took several shots at Jordan in his book. The NBA icons are no longer friends. 

“I may go as far to say Mike ruined basketball,” Pippen wrote. “In the ’80s, on the playgrounds, you’d have everyone moving the ball around — passing to help the team. That stopped in the ’90s. Kids wanted to be ‘Like Mike.’ Well, Mike didn’t want to pass — didn’t want to rebound, or defend the best player. He wanted everything done for him.

“That’s why I always believed LeBron James was the greatest player this game has ever seen — he does everything and embodies what the game is truly about.”

Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks. He won five MVPs, one DPOY, six championships, six Finals MVPs and 10 scoring titles. 

Meanwhile, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. He’s a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.

Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating. He holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game. 

LeBron, who grew up idolizing Jordan, is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, eighth in steals, second in field goals, eighth in 3-point field goals, fifth in triple-doubles, seventh in points per game and third in player efficiency rating.

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists and the only player to score 40,000 points. 

“Each episode was the same: Michael on a pedestal, his teammates secondary, smaller, the message no different from when he referred to us back then as his ‘supporting cast.’ From one season to the next, we received little or no credit whenever we won but the bulk of the criticism when he lost,” Pippen wrote. “Michael could shoot 6 for 24 from the field, commit 5 turnovers, and he was still, in the minds of the adoring press and public, the Errorless Jordan.”