For Bird, Pippen deserved credit for being such a great player throughout his entire career.
Back in the glory days of the NBA in the 80s, Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics rivaled the best teams in the league. In the process, “Larry Legend” faced off against some of the best lockdown defenders in the game. For Bird, former Chicago Bulls small forward Scottie Pippen was among those.
Through his defensive prowess and incredible athleticism, Pip always made sure Bird had to work twice as hard to pull off every play. That did not go unnoticed, as Larry declared Pippen as one of the toughest matchups of his legendary career.
“He was one of the best. He and Michael Cooper gave me the most problems,” Bird said via NBA.com.
Bird says MJ made Pippen even better
Pippen and Michael Jordan formed a formidable duo in Chicago. The two NBA superstars complemented each other’s strengths seamlessly, creating a synergy that dominated the game and dazzled fans.
However, while Larry acknowledges Pip’s repertoire as a player, he also once noted that the legendary forward was only at his best when paired with MJ. Without Jordan, “Larry Legend” thinks Pippen was not that much of a force to be reckoned with.
“I believe he (Michael Jordan) had the second-best player in the league right next to him in Scottie Pippen. You take Michael off that team, and Scottie moves down to fifth. But when Michael was out there with him, they were the best two in the league,” Bird once remarked.
Pip is a true Hall of Famer
Regardless of what Bird thought of Pippen as a Bulls player, he publicly acknowledged that Pip absolutely deserved his rightful place in the prestigious Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In fact, Larry was one of the many NBA legends who raved about Pippen’s Hall of Fame career by speaking highly of his raw talent and immense ability to evolve as a player.
“Scottie has been great for a long time,” Bird said. “I remember when he first came into the league. I played against him, and as time progressed, he got better and better. The Hall of Fame is a very deserving award for him.”
In conclusion, it’s safe to say that many would agree that Scottie Pippen is a name that commands respect and admiration. Despite being often overshadowed by Jordan for the better part of his career, Pippen’s greatness was undeniable, and his legacy goes far beyond being a mere sidekick.