Scottie Pippen has been trending throughout North America of late because of his feature episode in The Last Dance docuseries.
In particular his contract situation entering the 1998 season was one of fierce online debate. Was it his fault for accepting such a lengthy contract in 91? Should management have allowed a renegotiation considering the team’s success?
One key point that many have failed to consider was his Championship-winning steal to secure the 97 title against the Utah Jazz.
In this video we see the true worth of Pippen as he quarterbacks his club’s entire defensive situation, telling Steve Kerr and Toni Kukoc where to influence the pass and how to play the screens.
With all this in place Pippen reads the inbounds pass to secure the steal and the ’97 Championship.
As mentioned in earlier posts, clutch shouldn’t be defined as simply a made basket. A late-game steal and block is just as valuable as a go-ahead basket.
Pippen must have been on an all-time high entering this off-season knowing he had come up huge in the Bulls’ decisive game. This could have made him feel all the more alienated when the Bulls were reluctant to renegotiate or discuss the terms of a huge extension following the 97 season.
Nonetheless NBA fans in the 90s knew how valuable Pippen was to the franchise and Jordan’s success.
What did you guys think of the Pippen situation? Did he play himself in the end?
Like, Comment, Subscribe!
