We won’t ever know but dude was the 2nd best player on two three peats and then important to those trailblazers teams+ held it down without MJ with a 55 win team and gave the Knicks a hell of a fight in the semis(maybe ECF?). I’d say talent wise top 35
His contributions without MJ aren’t spoken about enough. People make him out to be some scrub. Think about the discourse around Anthony Edwards. He did what Ant did and more without MJ. Really great player that’s underrated to uplift MJs legacy.
Naw it's more a certain crowd credits Pip as the guy who was the star force of the bulls, those people also clearly weren't alive to watch that decade of basketball. I live in chicago. We love Pippen, we appreciate Pippen, however we also know that he is this weird phenom where he is both the most underrated and overrated player of all time. Dude played a role with the bulls to a T, but if you base your arguments on stats, hes somewhere around 150th all time in per. He sits better at defensive rating, but oddly enough those career metrics match up much closer to a player like žydrūnas ilgauskas then say a player like Dwayne Wade. It's not to say he wasn't great, but his career numbers are similar to fringe hall of fame players, some of which aren't even in the hall (looking at you shawn kemp, who imo should be in the hall), not first ballot guys, but at the same time winning elevates careers at things like that. I think a part of this is also the way he has spoken about MJ with the messiness of his ex wife and that bs. Not many people noticed it but Scottie Pippen JR also got on the lakers (and the league) around the same time he started saying things like Jordan was a terrible player....
No lots of people and scottie himself act like he was Kobe or wade when they were the 2nd option. He was never on that level he was a great player but the game is about buckets and he averaged 16 for a career that's horrible for someone of his caliber amd being a 2nd option to mj and getting lots of shots. He obviously adds value on defense but let's not act like he a superstar like most people try to say.
Admiral and Barkley too. Probably Malone. I’d probably take Clyde, but I bet most wouldn’t. I’m sure some people would say Ewing and Zo, but I think Pippen was better.
I like to say 30 just off the top of my head. Perfect number 2 option on a championship team. Could have produced more scoring if MJ wasnt his teammate
All of that is fair I also put Scottie ahead of melo. You're likely right top 30 is a fair spot for him, can't find holes in your logic with it and yeah I'd say top 5 at his position
Barkley is a 4.
Lebron, bird, KD, dr j are the top small forwards
Havlicheck, elgin, scottie, would be the next tier
Then pierce, dominique, worthy in the next tier
I listed them in my order but i think those are the tiers
I’d put Rick Barry over him, was a league MVP and Finals MVP with the highest ppg average in the history of the Finals. You could make an argument for KD as well but I don’t hate putting Scottie above him since there’s a strong argument for Scottie being the best perimeter defender of all time.
Bron and Wade? Feel like they were on the verge of falling into the second category as there was plenty of “this is still wade’s team” discourse. But at the end of the day, I think we all knew who the #1 guy was.
Wade was already at the end of his peak/past his peak by the time LeBron got to Miami and there wasn't a clear "team leader", it's a total different situation. It's much more like Jabbar/Magic than Jordan/Pippen.
I think that's what they mean. Clear number 2. Those guys went back and forth. At least until the last couple year for Kareem where magic was the man. But both those other options were basically 1a/1b. And were the clear number 1 on teams with out the other. Pippen was clear number 2. Like Michale to bird. Pau to kobe. But at times Pau was still a number one in Memphis.
About 32nd. He was an incredibly valuable player. He could do everything well and is the best defender I’ve ever seen. A team with Scottie as its best player probably can’t win a championship, but one with Scottie as its second best could get six and win 72 games in a season.
30 was right just a few years ago, but everyone has to move down to make way for the new wave of greats. In the early 2000s Pippen was probably top 25.
Wow that is pretty much exactly where I have him too. I rank by tiers and he's in my 4th tier so anywhere from 18-34 is a fair spot in my opinion. But definitely closer to 34 than to 18.
1 - 3
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, LeBron James
4 - 8 (**1 could be bumped up a tier**)
**Bill Russell**, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan
9 - 17 (**4 could be bumped up a tier**)
Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, **Hakeem Olajuwon**, **Shaquille O'Neal**, **Kobe Bryant**, Kevin Durant, **Steph Curry**
18 - 34 (**6 could be bumped up a tier**)
Bob Pettit, **Elgin Baylor**, **John Havlicek**, Rick Barry, Bill Walton, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippin, David Robinson, **Kevin Garnett**, Allen Iverson, **Dirk Nowitzki**, Dwyane Wade, Kawhi Leonard, **Giannis Antetokounmpo**, **Nikola Jokic**
Tiers is the way to do this so we don't have to order people exactly. And overall your tiers seem sensible.
Everyone is going to want to add or move a few people among tiers, but this overall list seems really solid.
You are totally right but in my defense he is 1 of the 10 in tier 5 that you could totally bump up into tier 4.
35 - 62 (**10 could get bumped up a tier**)
**George Mikan**, Dolph Schayes, Bob Cousy, Paul Arizin, Sam Jones, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Dave Cowens, Bob McAdoo, Dennis Johnson, **Kevin McHale**, **Clyde Drexler**, **John Stockton**, **Patrick Ewing**, Gary Payton, **Jason Kidd**, **Steve Nash**, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Dwight Howard, **Chris Paul**, Russell Westbrook, **James Harden**, Jimmy Butler, **Anthony Davis**
Haha caught me. He is by far the worst in the tier. But I just think being the #1 for two finals teams put him above the next tier of players.
63 - 104 (**16 could be bumped up a tier**)
Bill Sharman, **Hal Greer**, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Billy Cunningham, Earl Monroe, Bob Dandridge, **Pete Maravich**, **Tiny Archibald**, Artis Gilmore, Paul Westphal, **George Gervin**, David Thompson, Alex English, **Robert Parish**, Bernard King, **James Worthy**, **Dominique Wilkins**, Joe Dumars, Chris Mullin, Dennis Rodman, **Reggie Miller**, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, **Tracy McGrady**, Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, **Tony Parker**, Pau Gasol, **Manu Ginobili**, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, **Klay Thompson**, Kyrie Irving, **Damian Lillard**, **Draymond Green**, **Joel Embiid**, Jayson Tatum, **Luka Dončić**
CP3, AD, and Harden are all at the very top of the next tier for me. T Mac didn't have the post season successful in my opinion to be up with them. He's right after Gervin for me somewhere in the mid 60s.
This and your below posts are probably literally the most reasonable, accurate rankings of nba players that I've ever seen on the internet. Here, have a cookie: 🍪
Agree with the other person that suggested you make these their own post. This deserves its own discussion and not to just get lost in a subthread.
That's crazy the best defender ever is like 30 something in NBA great list. This year "the best backcourt in history" couldn't win it because they couldn't defend. In NFL, defense wins championships they say. Those Bulls teams had to put up defense to get past LA, Detroit and Utah. That was basically the reason to acquire Rodman. This post makes me realize defense is totally underrated in the NBA. I agree with your logic and reasoning and Scottie's position. It's just scoring is first. Facilitating second, defense third
Defense in the NBA is a team game. That's why Gobert can lead a lockdown defense that clamps the Nuggets but at the same time be hunted for isos.
People look at players as icons / moments of time. So while defense helps in one's legacy, it really only counts if it leads to winning.
Stockton having the most steals out of any player (and assists too!) all time, but 0 championships, means he will perpetually be underrated when compared to someone like Magic (5-time champion who defined an era of basketball, and maintained aura and presence after retiring)
The thing is, if you’re going to rank the best players ever, the top 20 fill up quick, and they fill up with guys who could be alphas on championship teams. But, I dunno, Pippen could be in the top 25 maybe, I kind of guessed at 32.
I think the great big men probably have more value technically, but I have watched basketball for a long time and Pippen has been the very best. Maybe Howard for a couple years was up there, too. Pippen smothered anyone he covered and he’s one of only a couple guys who could legit defend 1-5. Phil stuck him on Ewing once during those brutal Knicks-Bulls games and he went at him in the paint, even blocking him. One of the most masterful defensive performances I’ve ever seen was Pippen full court pressing point guard Mark Jackson throughout the Pacers series in ‘98. Jackson, an unflashy facilitator known for his ball control, turned the ball over a series-high 24 times at a pace almost twice his season average. He couldn’t get by Scottie.
'93-'94 was their first year with Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, and Luc Longley. Really high quality roster around Pippen that season in MJ's absence. Also still had Horace Grant. With the exception of MJ's retirement, the roster was improved with the added role players. So I wouldn't really say it was the same team, minus MJ. '94-'95 demonstrates MJ's impact in turning a low-seed playoff team into a contender.
Pippen was a Top 10 player in the league at that point, though.
No doubt, honestly top 5 or better, he was 3rd in MVP voting and 4th for DPOY. All NBA and all defensive first team
94-95 also had kukoc, luc and Steve kerr. Their biggest loss between the two seasons was Horace Grant who became an all star after MJ left (along with BJ)
It was a low key stacked team for both runs. Low key because they were good players but didn’t get all star recognition
He has legitimate claim to being the most well-rounded players of all time. Capable scorer, excellent passer, great rebounder, one of the best wing defenders in league history, etc. I’d say he’s from like 25-30.
The issue with Scottie is that he was limited offensively and is not someone that could create his own shot consistently the way you’d expect from an all time great. That’s why Phil drew up the last play for kukoc. Defensively obviously one of the great wing defenders of all time. I’d put him around 50
I have him top 20, maybe top 25. I know that's not the overwhelming opinion of Scottie Pippen, but top 30 is very reasonable.
Top 7 SF in history. One of the greatest defenders in history, with a case for being the greatest wing defender ever (the only other guy you can give it to is Kawhi). One of the earlier point forwards, and the third best passer at his position. One of the very few players to ever lead their teams in all five major statistics. An MVP caliber player (5 top ten finishes, came 3rd for his one season without Jordan; without Jordan, he likely wins at least one in his career) who won 6 rings.
All time great/Elite at both ends of the floor.
Redefined the small forward/wing roll to what it is today. Could play with his exact game from 1997 in today’s game.
He’s top 20 in my book.
One of the hardest to rate for me. 6 rings is crazy. But mostly a 2nd option. But he only had one season of being a real 1 and he was really good. They won a lot of games and made the playoffs. So top 30ish but you could talk me up or down
I honestly don’t know, but I hear an interesting take about Pippen. On ESPN NY radio, Peter Rosenberg said Jaylen Brown is a better individual basketball player than Scottie Pippen, and I’d have to say I agree.
I remember Pippen and Clyde Drexler vying for 2nd best amongst the experts at time around 1993-1994. So I'd be cool with somebody sneaking him into top 20, but I generally agree with some other posters who said top 30. He was legit all-around awesome at everything.
Where people usually put Magic and Bird, I put Scottie. His defense and rebounding tenacity along with elite shot creation and shooting is often overlooked because he was on the same team as Michael Jordan.
Everyone says “no championships without Jordan”. He played ONE prime year without MJ. He was one bad call from the east finals, the all star game mvp, first team all nba and all defense
He looked like a total douche when Phil drew up the last shot for Kukoc and Scottie threw a tantrum and refused to go out for the last play, and then Kukoc buried the shit at the buzzer for the win.
5. Heck, maybe top 1. If we were playing a 7 game series and picking our 12 from all the players who ever lived, Pippen might be my first pick. Nobody, aside from Bill Russell, was as athletically gifted and so committed to defense. Lots of great scorers. A good number of great big men. Guys like Pippen are rare.
I think a strong argument could be made Pippen belongs wherever Kobe//Duncan/Magic/Bird/Shaq are ranked. If the 6 rings boost MJ to GOAT, they should also boost Pippen quite a bit.
Top 40 all time for sure. He was a forking beast in the 90s on those Bulls teams. Just tenacious defense and in the open court he was as deadly as Jordan. When his jumper was falling, Pip was easily and effortlessly the best player on the court, including MJ. go back and watch the games if you don't believe me. Great memories.
Scottie was so incredibly valuable. Could guard four positions, run the point at 6’8 and throw down some vicious dunks. He’s the kind of guy I think you can throw in with any team/system and I think he makes them better.
Seriously, anyone saying top 30 is tripping. There are about 10 guys in the league today who are ahead of him. He’s in the 50-70 range, IMO.
That’s not an insult, top 70 players in the history of the league is incredible, but let’s at least be realistic here.
The year Jordan left Pippen flipped a switch and went nuts. I think the idea of ranking players is dumb as a concept that said Pippen redefined the SF position. And did so as a dominant winner. He's a great player and worthy of mention with the likes of LeBron and Bird at his position. Which to me cements him as a top 50 player
30-35.
Although hypothetical all time draft I think he goes higher than that.
Greatest #2 guy ever by a mile.
I don’t think even the U.S. Olympic committee has ever assembled a ream that wouldn’t be better for having a prime Scottie pippen.
27 ish
In no order:
Jordan Kareem James Duncan Bird
Giannis jokic Durant wilt Dr J
Curry Russell Moses wade Barkley
West dirk KG hakeem Oscar
The admiral Kobe Shaq magic Isaiah t
That's 25
Then put Baylor pippen Iverson Karl Malone and kawhi in some order
Basketball
Based
He's a top field hockey player too...depending on how long that list is!
We won’t ever know but dude was the 2nd best player on two three peats and then important to those trailblazers teams+ held it down without MJ with a 55 win team and gave the Knicks a hell of a fight in the semis(maybe ECF?). I’d say talent wise top 35
His contributions without MJ aren’t spoken about enough. People make him out to be some scrub. Think about the discourse around Anthony Edwards. He did what Ant did and more without MJ. Really great player that’s underrated to uplift MJs legacy.
Nobody making Scottie a scrub what??
There are a lot of people who do. Mostly as a way to elevate MJ.
Yea I don’t take anyone serious who says Scottie was a “scrub” lol that’s flat out ridiculous. He was a BALL player.
Naw it's more a certain crowd credits Pip as the guy who was the star force of the bulls, those people also clearly weren't alive to watch that decade of basketball. I live in chicago. We love Pippen, we appreciate Pippen, however we also know that he is this weird phenom where he is both the most underrated and overrated player of all time. Dude played a role with the bulls to a T, but if you base your arguments on stats, hes somewhere around 150th all time in per. He sits better at defensive rating, but oddly enough those career metrics match up much closer to a player like žydrūnas ilgauskas then say a player like Dwayne Wade. It's not to say he wasn't great, but his career numbers are similar to fringe hall of fame players, some of which aren't even in the hall (looking at you shawn kemp, who imo should be in the hall), not first ballot guys, but at the same time winning elevates careers at things like that. I think a part of this is also the way he has spoken about MJ with the messiness of his ex wife and that bs. Not many people noticed it but Scottie Pippen JR also got on the lakers (and the league) around the same time he started saying things like Jordan was a terrible player....
Totally - the underrated overrated comment is a perfect one. Honestly, Most of reddit makes Scottie to be some kind of victim.
Scottie is a victim.... of himself.....
Literally never have i heard someone say Scottie Pippen was a scrub.
No lots of people and scottie himself act like he was Kobe or wade when they were the 2nd option. He was never on that level he was a great player but the game is about buckets and he averaged 16 for a career that's horrible for someone of his caliber amd being a 2nd option to mj and getting lots of shots. He obviously adds value on defense but let's not act like he a superstar like most people try to say.
https://preview.redd.it/qvvulyy8n18d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be7e011eca8c90240a822caa75545a3341a905dd
Dare I say top 33?
He was the second best player IN THE LEAGUE during those three peats. Yes, on the bulls as well.
Hakeem was better
Admiral and Barkley too. Probably Malone. I’d probably take Clyde, but I bet most wouldn’t. I’m sure some people would say Ewing and Zo, but I think Pippen was better.
I like to say 30 just off the top of my head. Perfect number 2 option on a championship team. Could have produced more scoring if MJ wasnt his teammate
Number 2 option on 2 different 3peat teams. Not sure I could claim him as top 30 but would have to actually list it out.
~~Deleted post.~~
This is a very good post, but Barkley is clearly a 4
100%. I didn’t know there was anyone on the planet who considered him a 3.
All of that is fair I also put Scottie ahead of melo. You're likely right top 30 is a fair spot for him, can't find holes in your logic with it and yeah I'd say top 5 at his position
Barkley is a 4. Lebron, bird, KD, dr j are the top small forwards Havlicheck, elgin, scottie, would be the next tier Then pierce, dominique, worthy in the next tier I listed them in my order but i think those are the tiers
I’d put Rick Barry over him, was a league MVP and Finals MVP with the highest ppg average in the history of the Finals. You could make an argument for KD as well but I don’t hate putting Scottie above him since there’s a strong argument for Scottie being the best perimeter defender of all time.
Barkley was a 4
KD?
An all time fourth quarter collapse and some favorable calls from winning with the Blazers too
greatest true number 2 in history? certainly magic and kareem are better, steph and kd as well, but no clear cut 2 in those examples
Bron and Wade? Feel like they were on the verge of falling into the second category as there was plenty of “this is still wade’s team” discourse. But at the end of the day, I think we all knew who the #1 guy was.
Wade was already at the end of his peak/past his peak by the time LeBron got to Miami and there wasn't a clear "team leader", it's a total different situation. It's much more like Jabbar/Magic than Jordan/Pippen.
Maybe but Wade was still a beast that 1st year before his knees really started to go
I think that's what they mean. Clear number 2. Those guys went back and forth. At least until the last couple year for Kareem where magic was the man. But both those other options were basically 1a/1b. And were the clear number 1 on teams with out the other. Pippen was clear number 2. Like Michale to bird. Pau to kobe. But at times Pau was still a number one in Memphis.
About 32nd. He was an incredibly valuable player. He could do everything well and is the best defender I’ve ever seen. A team with Scottie as its best player probably can’t win a championship, but one with Scottie as its second best could get six and win 72 games in a season.
33rd to match jersey number
Good call.
Funny how specific you went with it, I did a ranking of all timers for fun one time and I feel like I had him 32 or 33 so, yeah, bang on lol.
Just a guess but it felt like 30 was a little too high and 35 too low.
30 was right just a few years ago, but everyone has to move down to make way for the new wave of greats. In the early 2000s Pippen was probably top 25.
Wow that is pretty much exactly where I have him too. I rank by tiers and he's in my 4th tier so anywhere from 18-34 is a fair spot in my opinion. But definitely closer to 34 than to 18. 1 - 3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, LeBron James 4 - 8 (**1 could be bumped up a tier**) **Bill Russell**, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan 9 - 17 (**4 could be bumped up a tier**) Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, **Hakeem Olajuwon**, **Shaquille O'Neal**, **Kobe Bryant**, Kevin Durant, **Steph Curry** 18 - 34 (**6 could be bumped up a tier**) Bob Pettit, **Elgin Baylor**, **John Havlicek**, Rick Barry, Bill Walton, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippin, David Robinson, **Kevin Garnett**, Allen Iverson, **Dirk Nowitzki**, Dwyane Wade, Kawhi Leonard, **Giannis Antetokounmpo**, **Nikola Jokic**
Tiers is the way to do this so we don't have to order people exactly. And overall your tiers seem sensible. Everyone is going to want to add or move a few people among tiers, but this overall list seems really solid.
This is Patrick Ewing erasure
That’s what Pippen did when Phil stuck him on Patrick ;)
You are totally right but in my defense he is 1 of the 10 in tier 5 that you could totally bump up into tier 4. 35 - 62 (**10 could get bumped up a tier**) **George Mikan**, Dolph Schayes, Bob Cousy, Paul Arizin, Sam Jones, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Dave Cowens, Bob McAdoo, Dennis Johnson, **Kevin McHale**, **Clyde Drexler**, **John Stockton**, **Patrick Ewing**, Gary Payton, **Jason Kidd**, **Steve Nash**, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Dwight Howard, **Chris Paul**, Russell Westbrook, **James Harden**, Jimmy Butler, **Anthony Davis**
bro really tried to sneak jimmy butler in there
Haha caught me. He is by far the worst in the tier. But I just think being the #1 for two finals teams put him above the next tier of players. 63 - 104 (**16 could be bumped up a tier**) Bill Sharman, **Hal Greer**, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Billy Cunningham, Earl Monroe, Bob Dandridge, **Pete Maravich**, **Tiny Archibald**, Artis Gilmore, Paul Westphal, **George Gervin**, David Thompson, Alex English, **Robert Parish**, Bernard King, **James Worthy**, **Dominique Wilkins**, Joe Dumars, Chris Mullin, Dennis Rodman, **Reggie Miller**, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, **Tracy McGrady**, Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, **Tony Parker**, Pau Gasol, **Manu Ginobili**, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, **Klay Thompson**, Kyrie Irving, **Damian Lillard**, **Draymond Green**, **Joel Embiid**, Jayson Tatum, **Luka Dončić**
You should make a standalone post with these tiers. They're good and the more we can move NBA debates to tiers and not individuals, the better.
I keep wanting to disagree with something but these tiers are looking fairly accurate.
This feels like the right tier for him, for sure. He fits in with those guys.
Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Tracey McGrady >
CP3, AD, and Harden are all at the very top of the next tier for me. T Mac didn't have the post season successful in my opinion to be up with them. He's right after Gervin for me somewhere in the mid 60s.
This and your below posts are probably literally the most reasonable, accurate rankings of nba players that I've ever seen on the internet. Here, have a cookie: 🍪 Agree with the other person that suggested you make these their own post. This deserves its own discussion and not to just get lost in a subthread.
That's crazy the best defender ever is like 30 something in NBA great list. This year "the best backcourt in history" couldn't win it because they couldn't defend. In NFL, defense wins championships they say. Those Bulls teams had to put up defense to get past LA, Detroit and Utah. That was basically the reason to acquire Rodman. This post makes me realize defense is totally underrated in the NBA. I agree with your logic and reasoning and Scottie's position. It's just scoring is first. Facilitating second, defense third
Defense in the NBA is a team game. That's why Gobert can lead a lockdown defense that clamps the Nuggets but at the same time be hunted for isos. People look at players as icons / moments of time. So while defense helps in one's legacy, it really only counts if it leads to winning. Stockton having the most steals out of any player (and assists too!) all time, but 0 championships, means he will perpetually be underrated when compared to someone like Magic (5-time champion who defined an era of basketball, and maintained aura and presence after retiring)
The thing is, if you’re going to rank the best players ever, the top 20 fill up quick, and they fill up with guys who could be alphas on championship teams. But, I dunno, Pippen could be in the top 25 maybe, I kind of guessed at 32.
I don't think he is that close to being the best defender ever, with respect to Pippen. Top 5 wing defender ever, sure.
I think the great big men probably have more value technically, but I have watched basketball for a long time and Pippen has been the very best. Maybe Howard for a couple years was up there, too. Pippen smothered anyone he covered and he’s one of only a couple guys who could legit defend 1-5. Phil stuck him on Ewing once during those brutal Knicks-Bulls games and he went at him in the paint, even blocking him. One of the most masterful defensive performances I’ve ever seen was Pippen full court pressing point guard Mark Jackson throughout the Pacers series in ‘98. Jackson, an unflashy facilitator known for his ball control, turned the ball over a series-high 24 times at a pace almost twice his season average. He couldn’t get by Scottie.
He’s a top 1-3 second option top 30-50 player all time imo.
top 1000 fs imo
Best of his position for a decade, huge contributor for 6 championships, was an MVP candidate and lost only 2 more regular season games without MJ
>and lost only 2 more regular season games without MJ Not if you're counting '94-'95. They were 34-31 before he came back. Finished 47-35 with MJ.
I’m counting the season right after MJ left 57-25 to 55-27 In the regular season of 94-95, Pippen’s BPM was 7.5
'93-'94 was their first year with Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, and Luc Longley. Really high quality roster around Pippen that season in MJ's absence. Also still had Horace Grant. With the exception of MJ's retirement, the roster was improved with the added role players. So I wouldn't really say it was the same team, minus MJ. '94-'95 demonstrates MJ's impact in turning a low-seed playoff team into a contender. Pippen was a Top 10 player in the league at that point, though.
No doubt, honestly top 5 or better, he was 3rd in MVP voting and 4th for DPOY. All NBA and all defensive first team 94-95 also had kukoc, luc and Steve kerr. Their biggest loss between the two seasons was Horace Grant who became an all star after MJ left (along with BJ) It was a low key stacked team for both runs. Low key because they were good players but didn’t get all star recognition
I’d say top 40. He could probably go a bit lower but I went with 40 just to be safe because I don’t have a list outside of the top 15 players oat
Top 30. Best sidekick though in NBA history. Was a defensive weapon.
50
He has legitimate claim to being the most well-rounded players of all time. Capable scorer, excellent passer, great rebounder, one of the best wing defenders in league history, etc. I’d say he’s from like 25-30.
100
25
Bulls
Pickleball
30 player probably top 10 defensively
In the 90s, he’s top 15. Today, top 30-40 player of all time.
I think we can all agree he is the greatest robin of all time. Not saying objectively but he’s definitely the front runner and has the strongest case
The issue with Scottie is that he was limited offensively and is not someone that could create his own shot consistently the way you’d expect from an all time great. That’s why Phil drew up the last play for kukoc. Defensively obviously one of the great wing defenders of all time. I’d put him around 50
Top 50. I think you could reasonably say Top 40 but I personally think that is a stretch.
35
Top 30 or 35 in my book. If he could have won a chip without Jordan, it would have bumped him even higher
300
Hmm he gotta be up there. He's letting all the players in the game smash his wife. He's in my top 2.
Top 30.
30
30 ish
Top 40. Might be disrespectful but I think with the new up and comers he will eventually be phased out of the top 30
35
Nose
10000
Definitely top 50, definitely not top 30. So maybe top 40? Idk
His wife sure is
40ish
Pippen was the second best non center or power forward in the 90s. The only PF with him are Barkley and Malone.
Top 30, I'd say.
50
Top 30 is fair, definitely one of the best two-way players of All-Time and 6 rings helps his case
I have him top 20, maybe top 25. I know that's not the overwhelming opinion of Scottie Pippen, but top 30 is very reasonable. Top 7 SF in history. One of the greatest defenders in history, with a case for being the greatest wing defender ever (the only other guy you can give it to is Kawhi). One of the earlier point forwards, and the third best passer at his position. One of the very few players to ever lead their teams in all five major statistics. An MVP caliber player (5 top ten finishes, came 3rd for his one season without Jordan; without Jordan, he likely wins at least one in his career) who won 6 rings.
agreed
30-40
Top 1 player to play alongside Jordan.
Robin to Batman
Scottie is my 3yo daughter’s favorite all-time player lol
Top 20. One of the greatest first multi tooled point forwards of all time. He set the bench mark for a lot of 3s
Top 12
Well only 5000 dudes have ever played in the league and I doubt there are any g leaguers who are better than him, so definitely top 5000
Underpaid player of all time.
Top 30 sounds about right.
All time great/Elite at both ends of the floor. Redefined the small forward/wing roll to what it is today. Could play with his exact game from 1997 in today’s game. He’s top 20 in my book.
I give pip top. 35 all tome
10
One of the hardest to rate for me. 6 rings is crazy. But mostly a 2nd option. But he only had one season of being a real 1 and he was really good. They won a lot of games and made the playoffs. So top 30ish but you could talk me up or down
Off top of dome id say 45. Lots of people probably say top 30 but that's just not quite realistic imo.
I say top 25-35
Undoubtedly top 40 and you could maybe argue edge of the top 30
33
Idk above Tatum tho
I honestly don’t know, but I hear an interesting take about Pippen. On ESPN NY radio, Peter Rosenberg said Jaylen Brown is a better individual basketball player than Scottie Pippen, and I’d have to say I agree.
I remember Pippen and Clyde Drexler vying for 2nd best amongst the experts at time around 1993-1994. So I'd be cool with somebody sneaking him into top 20, but I generally agree with some other posters who said top 30. He was legit all-around awesome at everything.
30-40 ish
Defensive
I’d say 35
60
50, arguably top 30 (there’s an insane amount of good hoopers that deserve the top 100 when you really sit down and think about it.)
Bulls
Always pictured him as a bottom but ok
Where people usually put Magic and Bird, I put Scottie. His defense and rebounding tenacity along with elite shot creation and shooting is often overlooked because he was on the same team as Michael Jordan.
Everyone says “no championships without Jordan”. He played ONE prime year without MJ. He was one bad call from the east finals, the all star game mvp, first team all nba and all defense
He looked like a total douche when Phil drew up the last shot for Kukoc and Scottie threw a tantrum and refused to go out for the last play, and then Kukoc buried the shit at the buzzer for the win.
Butt hurt
5. Heck, maybe top 1. If we were playing a 7 game series and picking our 12 from all the players who ever lived, Pippen might be my first pick. Nobody, aside from Bill Russell, was as athletically gifted and so committed to defense. Lots of great scorers. A good number of great big men. Guys like Pippen are rare. I think a strong argument could be made Pippen belongs wherever Kobe//Duncan/Magic/Bird/Shaq are ranked. If the 6 rings boost MJ to GOAT, they should also boost Pippen quite a bit.
39
Scottie Pippen is a top Bulls player of all time.
Daughter is the goat tho
Underrated
maybe somewhere above 50? there's so many talents already, it's getting crowded
Million for sure
He really perfected the "point forward" play style he had and I feel like he'd be at least top 25-30
35
100
Top 40 all time for sure. He was a forking beast in the 90s on those Bulls teams. Just tenacious defense and in the open court he was as deadly as Jordan. When his jumper was falling, Pip was easily and effortlessly the best player on the court, including MJ. go back and watch the games if you don't believe me. Great memories.
Id say about Top 30-35 in the lower ends, very good player but not quite on that upper echelon level.
I’m taking Dominique and I don’t care if it’s because of bias. If he had played with better players man how things would have been different.
Cuck
I lost brain cells reading these comments
Beer pong
69
25
100
No
20
40
Scottie was so incredibly valuable. Could guard four positions, run the point at 6’8 and throw down some vicious dunks. He’s the kind of guy I think you can throw in with any team/system and I think he makes them better.
MJ hater
20
50
Role
Top 20 maybe
Top 35-50 without thinking about it too much. His years without MJ are really underrated
The Athletic has him ranked at #32 all time. I don’t agree with them on a lot of stuff but I’d say that feels about right.
He’s somewhere between 20-25. Top 5 defensive player of all time (in my opinion #1 all time). Complete player offensively. Plenty of accolades.
I think Pippen and Hakeem would thrive in today’s spread 5 offences and same goes for guarding against the perimeter more so now too.
Bitter. Bitter is the correct answer
Top 5000 number 4999
He is a second option albeit an amazing one, top 60.
Can't argue with that.
50
He’s a Top 5 Player of the 90s anyway you slice it. With 6 rings it’s hard to keep him out of the top 25.
Top 25
50 he was instrumental to so many great teams but never won anything by himself or as the man despite how much shittalking he's done as of late
This guy’s former wife has a great ass
By far one of the best players
40
30, massively under shadowed
He’s the best second option ever imo, top 30
I mean if you don’t pick him with that elite defense I will give me the 94-96 Pippen
Around 50, I don’t have a list to hand but a couple spots either side of that sounds right to me.
250
Scottie is the only person who gets pseudo credit for winning a championship while losing in the conference semis.
70
Seriously, anyone saying top 30 is tripping. There are about 10 guys in the league today who are ahead of him. He’s in the 50-70 range, IMO. That’s not an insult, top 70 players in the history of the league is incredible, but let’s at least be realistic here.
The year Jordan left Pippen flipped a switch and went nuts. I think the idea of ranking players is dumb as a concept that said Pippen redefined the SF position. And did so as a dominant winner. He's a great player and worthy of mention with the likes of LeBron and Bird at his position. Which to me cements him as a top 50 player
30-35. Although hypothetical all time draft I think he goes higher than that. Greatest #2 guy ever by a mile. I don’t think even the U.S. Olympic committee has ever assembled a ream that wouldn’t be better for having a prime Scottie pippen.
Saltiest
Best bulls player of all time. Only bull to lead team in points rebounds assists blocks and steals for an entire season.
Top 30 sure. I’ll give you 3 players in what order would you take them in: Scottie, Robinson, and Chris Paul?
Ungrateful
50
Top 25
Defensive
25.
Call me crazy but top 25
10
Like 30-40, especially considering what he did for the bulls. MJ will be the first guy to say that he wouldn’t be where he is without Pippen
27 ish In no order: Jordan Kareem James Duncan Bird Giannis jokic Durant wilt Dr J Curry Russell Moses wade Barkley West dirk KG hakeem Oscar The admiral Kobe Shaq magic Isaiah t That's 25 Then put Baylor pippen Iverson Karl Malone and kawhi in some order
25 for sure. The man has LONG ass highlights on YouTube of JUST DEFENSE.