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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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How many titles did MJ win without Scottie? By Ron Jumper During the days of summer where restricted free agents and summer leagues take up most of the discussion time, I thought I would bring up something different just to give your mind a break. The ongoing argument over how to build a championship has been tossed around and right now is when those moves are made to win championships. With all that said, I had a thought for the day. Would Jordan have won any titles without Pippen? *Note: Jordan is the best to ever play the game and this in no way discourages that. Scottie Pippen is one of the 50 greatest players ever. He was just as important to the success of the most dominant team in NBA history as MJ was. The media bothers me sometimes when it tries to create controversy when there is absolutely no reason to. The Chicago Bulls were something special and something that will never be seen again in the history of the NBA. Everyone loved watching the Bulls play. We loved them so much we would watch WGN to see the game. Now quick, name another show on WGN. I’m drawing a blank… Pippen was a great player and provided the perfect intangibles to play alongside MJ. I will not refer to him as “MJ’s sidekick” because he was not. Pippen was MJ’s “partner.” Pippen’s MVP performance in 1994 All-Star Game showed his ability to shine among the stars. He also kept the Bulls in the playoffs without Jordan that year. People say he didn’t win a title without Jordan, but how many titles did Jordan win without Pippen? For arguments sake, the results of the Bulls with Pippen and no Jordan are almost identical to the seasons with Jordan and no Pippen in Chicago. Jordan had made the playoffs every year prior to Pippen’s arrival but had no rings or finals appearances. Pippen made the playoffs in both seasons without Jordan. The facts leave me to believe that both were equally important to the success of the Chicago Bulls. Both were great enough to carry their team to the playoffs but needed each other to be champions. Pippen made a great observation about the way the media built Jordan up coming out of North Carolina and how Pippen was completely unheard of in college at the University of Central Arkansas. Painting the picture, now imagine if Pippen had gone to North Carolina and been the prized college player Jordan was coming into the league and then three years later Jordan comes in virtually unknown and plays alongside already established superstar Pippen. I can’t help but ponder what the outcome would have been. That’s not to say anything bad about Michael Jordan, who is still the best basketball player of all time. My point is just that you shouldn’t forget about what Pippen did during his amazing career. The numbers, the awards, and the rings certainly can stand equal to just about anyone. Just a thought… July 9, 2006 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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