Before my room was renovated and painted, I had two posters on my wall. One dedicated to His Airness, Michael Jordan and the another one with Scottie Pippen.
On Friday, Scottie Pippen was given the ultimate tribute an athlete can recieve (besides being on my wall) - his jersey was retired and hung up as a banner in the Chicago stadium where he spent the majority of his career. It also means that no other player can wear #33 on the Bulls. Pip will always be one of my favourite players of all time.
Unfortunately, he lived in the shadow of the greatest basketball player of all time - the guy that wore #23, Michael Jordan. However, I see it the other way around - it was fortunate that he played with Jordan. Because that helped shape him into the player that he became - Jordan gave him the drive, the motivation, being able to practice against him every day.
I think Pippen will be remebered as one of the greatest defenders - check his 8 NBA First Team selections. Coaches acknowledge that Pippen could shut down an entire wing of a basketball court. He was verstaile enough to be able to defend four positions on the court, play point guard, and must be considered one of the best all around players in the game. Pippen also sacrificed a lot by being MJ's sidekick, but honestly, I think he preferred it that way.
Unleash the Dobermans,
DJ Ho.
p.s. Question of the day: Who is the better defender - Ron Artest or Scottie Pippen in his prime?
4 comments:
wooo... tough... The ESPN video was sick.
pippen mate. Ron hasn't earn it yet by a long shot. He might be able to, but its still pip right now.
Pippen. Artest is a great on-ball defender and very good otherwise; Pippen was a great on-ball defender and perhaps the best off-ball defender of all time. I've read at least three people say that Pippen locks down an entire half of the court when he's on the court - that's impressive.
In ten years' time, we might look at this differently, but right now, the answer is most definitely Pippen.
Pippen
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