Was Scottie Pippen Better Without Michael Jordan? Comparing Both Chicago Bulls Legends

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are regarded as one of the greatest NBA duos in history. Their relationship took a significant hit following the release of The Last Dance. Pippen turned bitter due to the lack of credits for the Bulls’ championship-winning run. This led to the narratives about Jordan’s failure to win championship rings without Pippen.

Both the Hall of Famers complimented each other’s game as teammates in the NBA. Jordan and Pippen won six NBA titles, including two three-peats, and recorded the all-time second-best regular season, 72-10, in the 1992-93 season. Let’s discuss Scottie Pippen’s NBA career without Michael Jordan.

Also Read: Top 5 NBA Teammates Who Never Got Along With Each Other: Ft. Barkley-Pippen and LeBron-Westbrook

What Are Scottie Pippen’s Greatest Achievements?

The 58-year-old Pippen played 17 seasons in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Portland Trail Blazers. The seven-time NBA All-Star won six championships with the Bulls from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998. Pippen won the 1994 All-Star Game MVP and the 1995 Steals Leader awards, making him the only non-guard in NBA history to record over 200 steals in a season multiple times.

Scottie Pippen (Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport)

With eight NBA All-Defensive First-Team selections, Pippen is just one shy of the NBA record jointly held by Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant with nine selections. Apart from his NBA success, Pippen won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 1992 and 1996.

Also Read: Top 5 NBA Teammates Who Never Got Along With Each Other: Ft. Barkley-Pippen and LeBron-Westbrook

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Together At The Chicago Bulls

The legendary duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen dominated the NBA for a decade. In their last eight seasons, they won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. The basketball legends played 791 games together from 1987 to 1998, winning 514 matches with a win percentage of 74.4%.

Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan (Image Credit: Getty Images)

During their time together at the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks. On the other hand, Scottie Pippen averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.

Also Read: Top 7 Players With Most NBA Championships: Where Does Michael Jordan Rank?

Scottie Pippen Without Michael Jordan

After winning his first three-peat, Michael Jordan took a two-year break from the NBA, and Scottie Pippen took the Chicago Bulls to two back-to-back Eastern Conference semi-finals. Although Pippen couldn’t win a title without Jordan in his career, he played in five more playoffs without the legendary guard.

Scottie Pippen (Images Credit: Getty Images)

In his career, Pippen averaged 16.1 points per game, which dropped to 15.0 points without Jordan. Despite playing in 464 games without Jordan in his NBA career, the former 6’8” small forward’s rebounds and assists averages remained the same, at 6.4 and 5.2, respectively. 

Also Read: Top 5 NBA Teammates Who Never Got Along With Each Other: Ft. Barkley-Pippen and LeBron-Westbrook

Michael Jordan Without Scottie Pippen

Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls three years earlier than Pippen. Jordan was the third pick in the 1984 NBA draft, while Pippen joined the league in 1987. In his first three years at the Chicago Bulls, Jordan took the team to the playoffs each time but couldn’t progress from Round 1. The Bulls ended the regular season with a below 50% win percentage during that time.

Michael Jordan (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Michael Jordan played 199 games without Scottie Pippen in his career and averaged 24 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, which is below his career average. In the playoffs, Jordan has a 1-9 record without Pippen.

Also Read: Top 5 NBA Teammates Who Never Got Along With Each Other: Ft. Barkley-Pippen and LeBron-Westbrook

Both legends had their best time in the NBA while playing together, winning multiple championships, and registering a better win percentage. While Jordan’s win percentage to Pippen without each other is comparatively low, the latter played with winning teams like the Trail Blazers and the Rockets following his time at the Bulls.

Also Read: VIDEO: ‘The Last Dance’ Director Reveals Scottie Pippen’s Vulgar Comment About Jerry Krause That Was Removed By The NBA 

Was Scottie Pippen Better Without Michael Jordan? Comparing Both Chicago Bulls Legends
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