Scottie Pippen - One of the greatest basketball players ever (Part-1)
Hall of Famer, Scottie Pippen is regarded as one of the most agile and versatile players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and perhaps
the best defender ever, the world of basketball has witnessed. Pippen’s wide-spread arms and jumping agility enabled him to bung up the passing lanes on defence, clutch rebounds that are normally impractical for the other players, block incredible shots from
behind and make extraordinary plays in the mid-air.
Pippen was named among the 50 greatest players in the league’s history during the 1996-1997 season. He is one of the only four players ever to have his Jersey retired
by the Bulls - Jerry Sloan, Bob Love and Michael Jordan being the other three. In 12 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Pippen paired up with the iconic Jordan and led the franchise for six NBA championships, transforming the Bulls into the most threatening and
invincible team during the 1990’s and one of the most formidable ever.
Rookie Year
Pippen was selected in the 1987 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics as a fifth overall pick and was eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls. Accompanied by the brilliance
of Jordan, Scottie not only refined his skill set but developed a number of new ones over the course of his splendid career.
After coming off the bench for nearly two seasons, Pippen finally made it to the starting line-up during the 1988 play-offs. The results were there for all to see
as Pippen helped Jordan in taking the Bulls into the Eastern Conference semi-finals. He emerged as the league’s premier young forward and made his debut in the NBA All-Star selection in 1990. By that time, the Bulls had already started to make an impact.
Scottie Pippen leads Chicago Bulls towards the first three-peat (1991-1993)
Buoyed on by the gritty defense of Pippen and the offensive brilliance of Michael Jordan, the Bulls finally won the Larry O’Brian trophy in 1991. What followed next
was an era of total domination that saw the Chicago Bulls transform into an unflinching squad, which wrapped up three successive championship titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls and the second three-peat (1995-1998)
After achieving a three peat, Michael Jordan retired in 1993-1994. The next two years saw Pippen single-handedly carrying the Bulls. When Jordan returned in the 1995-1996
season, the Bulls once again found their panache and flair. Pippen had matured into an icon himself by that time and together with Jordan and Dennis Rodman, he formed a formidable trio that sparked the Bulls to another three-peat.
Pippen accomplished most of his achievements during the tenure with the Chicago Bulls. He had a sparkling career with the team and was one of the most brilliant players
in the history of the franchise.
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