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"Love at First Sight" - How Jerry Krause traded for Scottie Pippen in the 1987 Draft
The greatest dynasty in NBA history was not just put together by luck but rather by the careful work of former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. In his unpublished memoir, Krause wrote that when he saw Pippen play, it was "love at first sight." Krause's vision was correct when we look at the end result.
Jerry's Vision
Before all the controversy about Scottie Pippen's contract and eventually breaking up Michael Jordan and the Bulls, Krause did many things the fans adored. The 1987 draft was one of his all-time masterpieces. Not only did he trade for Pippen, but with the 10th overall pick, he selected Horace Grant, who would also become instrumental in the first 3-peat with Chicago.
Before the draft, Pip became a standout performer to Krause, who hoped Pippen's team would lose and no one else would be able to see any more of him. However, his team won and continued to Hawaii, where Krause realized Scottie and Michael Jordan would become an incredible duo.
"The thought of this guy playing alongside Michael (Jordan) caused this scout's mind to work overtime," Krause wrote. "The quickest, longest-armed, most tremendous lateral quickness combination in the game . . . we had to get this guy."
Greatest Individual Workout Ever
After the invitationals, Krause and the Bulls invited Pippen for an individual workout. His intangibles were great, but his agility and endurance were what really impressed everyone.
"It was the best individual workout I'd ever seen," Krause wrote. "(Strength and conditioning coach) Al (Vermeil) had a drill which measures lateral quickness and pure desire called a three-ball drill. A player has 30 seconds to get as many balls in the basket, basically by moving from a box on one side of the lane, picking the ball up and dunking it or laying it in the basket and moving to the other side of the lane to do it again. Scottie stunned everyone by setting a record that would last for the next 11 years."
Krause was elated following the trade with the Seattle Supersonics, trading the 8th overall pick, Olden Polynice, for Pippen. The joy would continue with the six future championships that would come Chicago's way.
