Scottie Pippen’s Bold Take On Playing In The Modern NBA

The Chicago Bulls' Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen spoke out about his ability to play in today's game

Feb 15, 1996; Auburn Hills MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen (33) at the freethrow line against the Detroit Pistons at the Palace at Auburn Hills. The Bulls beat the Pistons 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls' dominant run in the 1990s is one of the best stretches of play in NBA history. When the Golden State Warriors were making their championship runs year in and year out, conversations among fans and media began to wonder if the Bulls could hold up in the modern game.

Now, the Bulls, who won six titles in the 1990s and were undefeated in the times they reached it, are being compared to different teams of different eras because of their elite level of play.

How #Bulls Scottie Pippen genuinely feels about Michael Jordan without all the drama.

Pippen: “MJ, thank you for being the best teammate. I will always cherish our relationship forever.” pic.twitter.com/RDv7nZUjnm

— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) May 29, 2023

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen remain two of the most iconic players in NBA history, leading the Bulls in their excellence over their playing days in Chicago.

Of course, Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time, next to LeBron James, but Pippen was a top-10 player in the league right next to Jordan throughout their run.

So the question remains: could Pippen and Jordan have dominated in the new era of basketball currently?

Pippen's Take on the Modern NBA

Jan. 20, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls former player Scottie Pippen prior to the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images | Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images

In a recent interview with El Pais, Pippen claimed he could do very well in today's NBA.

"I’d do very well. The game has changed, sure — it’s more up and down now — but my style fit that kind of play even in the ’80s and ’90s. I don’t think it would be a big challenge," Pippen exclaimed.

When asked if he would be the best player in the NBA today, he said, "Yes, I think so. There's no reason to think otherwise. If I worked as hard as I did back then, I believe I'd easily be among the best."

The claim by Pippen is a bit extreme because he is essentially saying that he'd be better than current superstars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and others.

Pippen, while great, was always considered the second option to Michael Jordan, even in his prime.

Could Pippen Thrive in Today's NBA?

Of course, with Pippen's strong and athletic frame, anything is possible, especially with the talent that he did have.

He was a 6-foot-8 point-forward before it was widely seen across the league, and today's positionless basketball would perfectly suit his ability to guard multiple positions while handling the ball.

Pippen was also arguably the best perimeter defender of his era, with 10 All-Defensive selections. In today's switch-heavy defenses, his ability to guard essentially every position would have been lethal, maybe even more than in the '90s.

Sure, he only averaged 16.1 points per game in his career, and superstars usually average 25 to 30 points per game, and his three-point shot was never an elite trait of his (32.6 percent in his career). But the modern emphasis on scoring and shooting would have led him to develop it more.

Pippen would absolutely be an All-NBA caliber player, perennial All-Star, and All-Defensive selection, but claiming he'd be the best player in the league is a stretch.

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