Scottie Pippen Has Never Offered Michael Jordan Condolences For Losing His Father To Murder: ‘I Feel Horrible’

In a stunning development, NBA icon Scottie Pippen revealed in his book that he has never offered Michael Jordan condolences for losing his father, James, to murder. 

James was killed in the summer of 1993. 

Pippen, who won six NBA championships with Jordan on the Chicago Bulls, wrote in his book that there is “no excuse” for never reaching out to Jordan after his father was killed. 

“Another opportunity, if you can call it that, came during the summer of 1993, and I feel horrible every time I think about it,” Pippen wrote. “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.”

Jordan retired from the NBA in October 1993. Pippen never spoke to Jordan about James’ death despite being around him for three championship seasons following the tragic death. 

“As soon as I heard the news, I contacted Tim Hallam, the PR guy for the Bulls,” Pippen wrote. “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.’ I would express my condolences the next time we saw each other, at training camp in October. 

“Looking back, I wish I could blame my youth for being so incredibly insensitive. I can’t. There is no excuse. A friend of mine lost his father and I didn’t say a word to him. I will have to live with that for the rest of my life.

“Why didn’t I make a stronger effort? Perhaps I didn’t want to deal with Michael’s grief. Just as I didn’t deal with my own grief when my dad passed away three years earlier. I’ve always been good at running away from that kind of pain. Too good.

“When October finally arrived, I waited for the right moment to approach Michael. The moment never came. That was because another one did.”

Jordan and Pippen are no longer on speaking terms.

“Michael was blessed to have him for a father, someone he could trust in a world where everyone wanted something from him,” Pippen wrote. “His time. His money. His approval. There was no end to the demands on Michael Jordan. After many games, I saw the two of them at the hotel, kidding around, grabbing a bite. Michael was happy to have his dad with him. His dad was his best friend.”