MJ didn't start winning until Pippen came along, but it was also the point when he became a complete player. He stopped relying on his ability to drive to the basket with his athleticism and developed his fade-away and started elevating the game of people around him. Outside of Pippen they had the likes of Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, Luc Longley, etc. a veritable who's who of low cost players to catch the ball and pass it to one of the shooters. When Jordan left to play baseball, Pippen wasn't ****. As soon as MJ stepped back on the court, the Bulls were contenders again. A year later they were champs. When it reached that point of Jordan's dominance, the NBA Finals were just a formality that had to be dealt with before the Bulls could accept their trophy. Kobe will NEVER be the player that Jordan was. He should be content that some will attempt to compare...
In a Game 7 of an NBA playoff series with the Bulls down by a point or two everybody KNEW that MJ was going to make the winning shot or pass for the game winning assist like he did with that pass to John Paxson in the finals. With Kobe in the same situation you think he will probably come through but you don't KNOW it d'eep down to the marrow of your bones. Betting on Jordan with the game on he line was money in the bank. Betting on Kobe would be more like flipping a coin. Win some, lose some Nothing wrong with that. Kobe is still one of the all time greatest players. MJ is the GOAT
Right, I knew about Pippen but in Chicago...MJ was always the man. I'm not gonna count Kobe out but these are some really pivotal years right now in determining what Kobe's legacy will be now that he IS the man in LA. And like I said, if he wins two more in LA with him being the clear-cut finals MVP, then there is definitely a real argument as to who might be better.
...and SWERVE goes the thread! :hihi: Artest is a good ball player who gets too much attention for being a bad seed. Pippen was a good ball player who got too much credit as Jordan's caddie. The difference in the overrated argument is Artest would not stand a chance of being named to the Top 50 in NBA history, were that team honored again. Pippen would still get a lot of (undeserved) votes.
Are you kidding me:hihi: Pippen was a true trailblazer for the point forward concept in the game. The guy could pretty much do it all at his size and strenght, plus he had the smarts. The Bulls never needed a true point guard, most of their point guards were overhyped 3 point specialist and that was because of Pippen's ability to run the Triangle and defend any guard they faced. sit back and think about it.
I don't deny that Pippen was an All Star quality player, especially as a defender. But he totally spit the bit when MJ left and he was given the chance to be the centerpiece of the team. Definitely not Top 50 quality. JMO, though I've had this conversation with many people over the years and you're the first to disagree with me. And I can't sit back and think about it; I never trust these spring-loaded swiveling office chairs to hold my fat azz up! :lol:
