The Chicago Bulls dominated the 1990s, winning six championships and building one of the most iconic dynasties in NBA history. While the players earned most of the praise, Phil Jackson elevated the franchise and transformed it into a consistent winner. Before his arrival, the Bulls had never won a single championship. Michael Jordan was the undisputed star of that roster, leading the charge on and off the court. Yet he confessed to Phil Jackson who the second-best player was on that legendary 1992 team.
In a July 2010 interview with the NBA, legendary head coach Phil Jackson shared a revealing moment. Michael Jordan told him, right after returning from the 1992 Olympics, that Scottie Pippen was the second-best player on Bulls’ roster. That statement came with weight, considering the roster’s talent.
Pippen’s transformation from forward to guard marked a turning point in his career. He embraced the new role with intensity and precision. As a result, he secured his place on the team. Moreover, he became a crucial piece on defense for that legendary squad.
This confession still feels surprising today because the two players never had a strong relationship. Even, Scottie Pippen said Michael Jordan was difficult to deal with, and he revealed they never had dinner together. However, Pippen made it clear they respected each other. Their personal bond was not strong, but their connection on the court told a different story. Both played crucial roles in making the Bulls one of the most dominant teams of their era.
“People knew he (Scottie) was a pretty good sidekick to Michael, but all of a sudden, they were starting to recognize that he was a legitimate star in his own right who had really developed over the prior three to four years. He wasn’t just an active, defensive small forward anymore. He was a player who could excel at three, if not four, positions. He was a real force on our team in that regard and Michael recognized that,” affirmed Jackson to the NBA on 2010.
Scottie Pippen often gets overshadowed by Michael Jordan’s legendary presence on the Bulls’ roster. While Pippen never posted jaw-dropping stats, his versatility and impact on both ends of the floor were undeniable. Even so, his value remains underappreciated. Former NBA player Craig Hodges offered a bold perspective on Pippen’s role, going as far as to draw a surprising comparison to Jordan himself.
“I think he was better than MJ, just from a natural standpoint. You’re 6’7” with the same components, but not only is your right hand big, your left is that big too, you know what I’m saying? And you’re finishing with both equally like that… The difference was the level of confidence coming out. And so much, when we look at it, think about it: if you think about how many guys you played with, so much was given to them that it added to their confidence,” stated on All The Smoke podcast.