” The boys… “ Hermione Granger would say. Lullaby for a whole orange generation, the relationship between Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan seems to be at a standstill today. When these two no longer talk to each other, states around the world stop their talks, the dialogue is broken. Tear in the eye, we debrief.
No, Michael Jordan was not the ideal teammate. Yes, Scottie Pippen has had a hard time with certain evils that a shadow role inflicts. A dynasty is a bit like a nuclear power plant. On the surface, a lot of results that an alternative cannot offer, but under a few boxes, a three-eyed fish that speaks fluent Hungarian. The traces left by success are irreversible, in one direction as sometimes in the other. The six championship banners won by Chicago – all under the era of the pair Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen – float at the top of the United Center. They won’t move. The common sense attributed to the Bulls 90’s era overflows with nostalgia, as if the sporting victories had only given birth to good times. Twenty years later, the relationship between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen deconstructs this idea. Their recent disagreements over the narration of The Last Dance have completely broken this bond forged by success. Guest on the Bill Simmons Podcast, Charles Oakley shared the dressing room of the two men during the 1987-88 season. He is now very good friends with both of them. At the question “Do you think they’re still talking or not?” » asked by Bill Simmons, the former Bulls replied “No, I think it’s over”.
“No, I think it’s over. It wasn’t great from the start. – Charles Oakley, on the relationship between Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan
Charles Oakley with your 2022 MJ-Scottie friendship update. Spoiler: it’s not good.pic.twitter.com/OKM5UXdlpS
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 26, 2022
The only certainty in this case is that Pippen probably does not plan to integrate the front office Hornets, both in the short and the very long term. As Charles Oakley reveals, when this young post 3 landed in Illinois in the summer of 87, all was not rosy between him and Michael Jordan. Years later, the subject of contention is quite different. The story of The Last Dance – very centered on the character of Michael Jordan – did not please Scottie Pippen. A silly example, the documentary does not mention its punchline on Karl Malone during match 1 of the 97 Finals. “The postman does not come on Sundays” whispered in the ear of the one who will henceforth be called the Mailman. Destabilized – or maybe just clumsy, but the story is prettier that way – Karl Malone misses his two free throws (82-82). An indirect decisive pass for Michael Jordan who, on the next action, sends this famous buzzer starting on his left. This kind of anecdote is an integral part of the history of the franchise. Precious in the shadows, Scottie Pippen thought he was finally getting the recognition he was due with The Last Dance. It was – according to him – nothing. Throughout his interview with Bill Simmons, Charles Oakley mentions this altruistic dimension of Scottie.
“I asked Mike who Scottie or Magic Johnson was…He said he’ll win more rings with Scottie because Scottie can do more than Magic. And he always praised Scottie. Always. He never spoke badly of himself, but I don’t know what’s happened since The Last Dance. –Charles Oakley
Yes, since The Last Dance, Scottie threw a lot of small tackles in the legs of his majesty. Tackles remained unanswered. “At that time, he will just continue to do what he does: golf, go fishing, rest and smoke cigars” says Charles Oakley. Wash your dirty laundry in the press? This is actually not the type of Michael. Unless Scottie drops us a « The True Last Dance » therefore, the content and form of their disputes will remain silent. Simple war of egos, or in-depth subject of which we do not have the proponents? Like what, the beautiful stories are not all shaped in the euphoria way Adil Rami and the extinguisher. If a fire extinguisher arrives in this story, it will only be used to extinguish the match struck by Scottie at the bottom of Michael’s garden. Punishing vice shot for Jojo, who had sabotaged Pippen’s lawnmower the day before.
When you were born in the 60s, no blockages on Insta, you simply don’t talk to each other anymore. That said, it’s better than a mess that takes the monopoly of the press with a daily punch ‘on a background of alcohol. “Yeah I’m sure yeah, Michael would be running 14 points per game today. A Lonnie Walker bis. ». Take it easy, Scottie.
