“I feel like the name might have hurt me more than it helped me sometimes,” said Scotty during a recent interview on Run It Back. “I feel like it was tough just because I feel like I wasn’t given fair treatment. People kind of just overlooked me because of my dad.”

Pippen Jr. went on to discuss how being the son of an NBA legend affected his personal journey in basketball. “I think it’s difficult just because people just put, you know, a perspective on you on how they think you move and how they think you act just because of your dad,” he said.

On the pressure tied to the family name, the Memphis player explained: “I think it’s hard. Everyone puts these expectations on you just because you’re someone’s son. So, I think you just kind of get used to it.”

When asked about others in similar cases, like Bronny James, Pippen Jr. was candid. “I feel like we’re seeing it with Deion Sanders and his son and then, you know, LeBron and Bronny… It’s unfair for us, but at the end of the day, I feel like we’re all doing well.”

Pippen Jr. addresses his father’s controversial takes

In recent months, Scottie Pippen has come under scrutiny for his controversial opinions on LeBron James and Michael Jordan. One of his latest claims was that neither player is the true NBA GOAT, naming Magic Johnson instead.

Asked about his reaction to his father’s comments, Scotty was honest. “I kind of just let him have it, because most of those debates are out of my hands,” said the 24-year-old guard. “I wasn’t really around and I never really seen my pops, I never really seen that era of play. So I don’t really have no say so on those arguments.”

Far from being upset about his father drawing attention—and criticism—for those remarks, Pippen Jr. said he takes it lightly. “When he’s saying stuff, I kind of just see that on social media and people usually send it to me, so I just laugh,” he said. As for whether he’s ever thought of asking his father to stop, the Memphis player admitted with a laugh: “Maybe in my head, I never said it out loud though.”

“I just, you know, embrace it,” Pippen Jr. said during an interview with Sloane Knows. When discussing the weight that comes with his name, he admitted: “I feel like the pressure has gone since the further I’ve went in my career cause I just don’t even care about it anymore.”

As he explained further, Scotty made it clear that, at a certain point, he had to put aside the weight of expectations in order to focus on his own journey in the NBA. “You know, it is what it is,” he said. “You kind of either embrace it, or you just let it, you know, eat you alive.”

Despite the challenges, the Memphis guard expressed gratitude for his father’s legacy and the lessons he’s learned along the way. “I think it’s been great to have had Dad played in the NBA,” he said. “It gave me back so much information and so much time, and help me to be always motivated. Just to make him proud, and make it to the NBA, and succeed in that.”

Pippen Jr. reveals the mystery of the name spelling

In the same conversation, the young guard was asked about the different spellings of his name compared to his father’s, with the younger Pippen being called “Scotty” and his father typically referred to as “Scottie.” The Memphis player was candid about the confusion. “To be honest, I’m still kind of confused on it too. It makes no sense, I don’t know why my parents did that,” he admitted with a smile.

“Basically my dad’s name is with a Y. But for some reason he writes it with IE on everything,” he continued. “He switches it up. Like, sometimes he’ll go somewhere and he’ll write it with a Y, and somewhere else he’ll write it with IE… It’s very confusing.”

He also shared that such confusion often extends into his professional career. “Even some of my coaches, like last year when I got here, in films sessions they would put it with IE and I’m like, ‘That’s not my name,’” Pippen Jr. revealed. “I’m so used to it that it doesn’t even matter.”

“Who is your dream NBA player to play against? Someone not currently in the league, maybe a guy who played a while ago and you’ve always wanted to play against?” Pippen Jr. was asked in a recent interview with Sloane Knows. “My dad,” Scotty replied without hesitation.

“OK. You and your dad, 1v1. First to 11, what would the score be?” the host proposed. “I’ll say probably 11-9, him,” the Grizzlies player considered. “I’ll give him 11-9. It’s gonna be close. It’s gonna be a hard-fought game, but I’ll say 11-9.” And when asked if his dad would ever let him win, he was clear: “Hell, no. My dad is too competitive, he’ll never let me win.”

Scotty also elaborated on the comparison between their on-court characteristics. “I feel his height gives him an advantage,” Pippen clarified. “I’m a little quicker, though. I feel, offensively, I’m better than him. I don’t know, I think you gotta put that on 2K and see what they do, I guess.”

Pippen Jr. is finding his place in the NBA

At 24, Scotty Pippen Jr. is having his most promising season in the NBA. He had limited opportunities during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers between 2022 and 2023, where he frequently alternated appearances with the G-League affiliate South Bay. Last season, he joined the Memphis Grizzlies and has steadily gained more prominence.

This campaign, Pippen Jr. has appeared in 64 of the Grizzlies’ 65 games, averaging 20.1 minutes per contest. In those appearances, Scotty has recorded 9.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. While he plays a secondary role on the team, he has contributed to the Grizzlies‘ strong performance, as the team is currently ranked fourth in the Western Conference with a 41-24 record.

Scottie Pippen’s legacy

While Scotty’s statistics this season demonstrate notable growth, they are still far from matching the numbers put up by his father. Scottie Pippen is widely regarded as one of the greatest small forwards in NBA history. He was a six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, whose No. 33 jersey was retired in honor of his contributions to the team, and is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

One of Pippen’s defining strengths throughout his career was his exceptional defense, which earned praise from legends like Isiah Thomas and Paul Pierce. Therefore, it’s no surprise that his son highlights offensive play as the area in which he feels he has surpassed his father. Over the course of his career, Scottie Pippen averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.

Bronny has split his time between the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. Critics have questioned whether his raw talent is translating to the professional level, as he has yet to make a significant impact in limited playing time.

Pippen Jr., now in his second NBA season, is thriving with the Grizzlies after debuting with the Lakers two years ago. While his first season was unremarkable—he appeared in just six games—this year, he is surpassing expectations.

Recently, Pippen Jr. notched a career-high 30 points in a game, helping Memphis secure their tenth win of the season. His performance underscores his potential to extend the legacy of his legendary father.

Pippen Jr. vs. Bronny: The numbers speak for themselves

Through 17 games this season, Pippen Jr. is averaging 12.6 points per game, including 1.3 made three-pointers on 3.2 attempts, 4.6 field goals on 9.6 attempts, and 2.1 made free throws on 2.6 attempts.

In stark contrast, Bronny has played in only six games, averaging a mere two minutes per appearance and scoring just four total points. The statistical disparity highlights the different trajectories of these two young players, both of whom carry the weight of their iconic family names.

Comparing the legends’ first seasons

For context, both Scottie Pippen and LeBron James had impactful rookie seasons. Scottie debuted with the Chicago Bulls in 1987-88, playing 79 games and averaging 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 20.9 minutes per game. He shot 3.3 of 7.1 field goals and 1.3 of 2.2 free throws per game.

LeBron’s rookie campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04 was nothing short of spectacular. He also played 79 games but did so as a starter, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 39.5 minutes per game. He converted 7.9 of 18.9 field goals, 0.8 of 2.7 three-pointers, and 4.4 of 5.8 free throws per game, immediately establishing himself as a generational talent.

While Bronny James has faced early struggles, the season is still young, and his development could take time. Meanwhile, Scotty Pippen Jr. is emerging as a promising player for the Grizzlies, solidifying his position in the NBA and building on his father’s storied legacy. The parallels between their fathers’ and their own careers add another layer of intrigue to their journeys, making the comparison one to watch as the season progresses.

Scotty Pippen Jr played his college years with Vanderbilt from 2019 to 2022, he was twice named First-team All-SEC (2021, 2022) and SEC All-Freshman Team (2020). His best college year was in the 2020-21 season with 20.8 PPG, 42.8% FG points and 85% free throw shots.

But the NBA draft is not the end of the world, other top players were undrafted, Kofi Cockburn was one of the top prospects who was not selected in the draft but his NBA future does not end there sincethere is still a lot he can do to play pro basketball.

Why Scotty Pippen Jr was not selected in the 2022 NBA Draft?

Scotty Pippen Jr was not selected directly in the 2022 NBA Draft due to several factors, one is that he is undersized and that is not good for a player who would probably play as a point guard in the NBA, but he could be a perfect bench player.

The good news is that after the 2022 NBA Draft the Lakers signed Scotty Pippen Jr with a two-way deal to play at the NBA G League. If Scotty performs well in the development league it is very likely that in a year he will be able to debut with the pros.

Despite the reports indicated that Pippen Jr impressedscouts at the NBA Combine, it wasn’t enough for Pippen Jr to get his name called at theBarclays Center in Brooklyn. However, he did some trainning sessions with the Los Angeles Lakers before the draft, as Shareef O’Neal did the same.

However, the LA franchisedidn’t use their pick to select the Vanderbilt player. Instead, they went for Max Christie from Michigan State. Although, it was known after the event that Pippen Jr got himself a dealto play in theNBA Summer League.

Scotty Pippen Jr to play for Lakers in the NBA Summer League

As mention before, Scotty Pippen Jr wasn’t selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. However, he got himself a two-way deal to play in the NBA Summer League for the Los Angeles Lakers. This means not only the son of Scottie Pippenwill play in the preseasonroster but he will have a good chance to make it to theactual roster for the 2022-23 NBA Season.

Whereas the son of Shaquille O’Neal, Shareef got also a deal with the LA franchise. However, his is different from Pippen Jr’s, because O’Neal will play only for the summer squad. In addition, the LakersacquiredCole Swider in a two-way deal and Vitto Brownfor the summer team, according to multiple media reports.

As a matter of fact, this players might have to work as twice as much as other players. Checking out the facts, on seven occasions in the last 35 years,a player whose father was also drafted into the NBA was selected among the top-five picks. However, only four of those seven players went on to become All-Stars.

However, in sports there aren’t guarantees of anything. Even prospects with the greatest family backgrounds have suffered injuries or problems of some sort that ends up in an NBAcareer that couldn’t keep up with the father’s legacy.

Shaq’s, Pippen’s and more NBA heirs to be selected

For example, Shareef O’Neal doesn’t have thefather’s physique and athleticism. Shaq was explosive in the paint thanks to his huge physique, while his son’s more reliable asset is his rebound skills. Because the only thing to be compared to his father is his bad free-throw percentage, which was 47% in the last season with LSU.So, he might not even get drafted.

Whereas Scotty Pipen Jr, son of the great Scottie Pippen, has more chances to make it. Pippen Jr is a 6-foot-3 tall with an average of 20 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds per game in the last 2021-22 NCAA season playing for Vanderbilt.

Finally, Ron Harper Jr who may be the best prospect among the three presented in this article. The son of the former Chicago Bulls player has an average of 15 points and6 rebounds with a 40% in three-point shots made in the last season with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Full list of prospect players with NBA inheritance in the 2022 NBA Draft

It is important to note that none of this players set to be selected among the top 10 picks overall in the 2022 NBA Draft on Thrusday. However, all of them might have one of their last chances to make a move to the NBA to continue with their father’s legacy.