In a resurfaced 1995 interview, basketball legend Michael Jordan shared his views on the infamous incident involving Scottie Pippen and then-Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson. The incident happened during the 1994 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks when the Bulls were down 2-0 in the series.
With the game tied and only 1.8 seconds left, Jackson chose Toni Kukoc for the final shot over Pippen, the team’s star player. After this, Pippen felt disrespected and decided to leave the court. Jordan, in his comments about the situation, acknowledged Pippen’s frustration but did not fully agree with his decision. He believed that Pippen’s desire to take the last-second shot was natural, given his role on the team.
“I think that was a part of Scottie in his maturity in a sense of where he thought he was. He wanted that last-second shot. He thought he earned that respect” Jordan stated, highlighting Pippen’s increased responsibilities since he left the Bulls to pursue a baseball career.
Jordan added– “The only thing that you can fault Scottie Pippen is for not going through and letting the fans, or let the media, or whoever, do all the talking for him. If Toni Kukoc misses that shot, you can believe everybody’s going to jump on Scottie Pippen’s side and say, Why didn’t he get the shot? See, he didn’t have to sit out.”
However, Jordan suggested that Pippen could have approached the situation differently. He stated that if Kukoc had missed the shot, public opinion might have favored Pippen, but by sitting out, he took the matter into his own hands.
Scottie Pippen’s rise in the 1993-94 season without Michael Jordan
The 1993-94 NBA season was an important year for Scottie Pippen and the Chicago Bulls. With Michael Jordan’s shocking departure to play baseball, the team faced the huge challenge of filling his gap. However, Pippen stepped up and led the Bulls to an impressive 55-27 record and proved his ability to succeed without Jordan.
Pippen’s leadership and skill were clear to see throughout the season. He earned a place on the All-NBA First Team and ranked high in several statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. Because of his outstanding performance, he finished third in the NBA MVP voting behind Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson.
The Bulls despite adding new players like Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, and Luc Longley remained a strong team. Their success proved Pippen’s ability to adapt and perform well in a new role. He was no longer under Jordan’s shadow but a superstar on his own, a status he solidified by winning the MVP award at the 1994 NBA All-Star Game.
Even after the challenges and controversies, including the controversial call against the Knicks in the playoffs, Pippen’s journey during the 1993-94 season solidified his place in basketball history. It also proved that the Bulls were more than just Michael Jordan’s team.