Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen claimed that he would do well in the modern NBA after thinking about how his play style would translate.
During his basketball era, the Hall of Fame small forward dominated both ends of the court, effectively guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player while also creating his own shot off the dribble or initiating actions on the other end.
Pippen was overshadowed by his longtime teammate, fellow Hall of Fame wing Michael Jordan, who went on to become arguably the greatest player of all time. Jordan became an icon, and his legendary clutch moments live in infamy.
Pippen played as a Robin to Jordan’s Batman, taking on a secondary role on offense and often settling for off-ball looks.
A seven-time All-Star and six-time champion, Pippen is often labeled as one of the more underrated players in NBA history. He could have become a bigger name had he played on a team where he was the alpha dog, rather than the overlooked second option.
The small forward is known for his confidence in his game, and when asked how he would fit in the modern game, Pippen did not hesitate to tout his abilities.
‘I’d Do Very Well’
“I’d do very well,” the Hall of Famer said during an interview with Daniel Arribas of of El Pais. “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.”
“Yes, I think so,” Pippen said when asked if he’d still rank among the best players in the NBA as a modern player. “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.”
For his career, Pippen shot 32.6 percent from deep on an average of 2.5 attempts per game. Those numbers do not inspire confidence, but he played in an era that did not focus on the deep shot; instead, the priority was mid-range and rim finishing. Were he developing his offense today, he likely would have honed his marksmanship from beyond the 3-point arc more than he had to during his era.
Also, he was an elite defender, which increased his value to a team as he provides off-ball smarts and on-ball movement skills that can disrupt any great offensive player.
It is impossible to ever know for sure, but Pippen certainly has a strong case for his claim, especially since he flashed the skills needed to excel currently in the NBA.
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