Former Bulls Champion Talks About MJ vs Pippen Debate

One of the biggest knocks on Michael Jordan’s greatness is that he played alongside Scottie Pippen for so much of his career. Pippen, a top-50 player all-time in his own right, also may get overlooked a bit because he was almost always playing with MJ. 

Those two helped make one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. However, their greatness is fully tied to one another. Without Scottie, MJ may not have reached the heights he did. Without MJ, Scottie’s career would have looked completely different. 

Ron Harper, a former teammate of both MJ and Scottie, recently talked about the difference between MJ and Pippen. 

“Scottie Pippen is the best small forward to ever play the game of basketball. MJ is the best game day clutch player to ever play the ball game. You not going to lose with MJ, you could be down 10,2,18 he going to will you to win. Scottie has a lot of basketball skills, high IQ, understand the game, knows how to play the game. Pippen is a phenomenal talent he can shoot it, dribble it, can guard 1 through 5 and was a great teammate to have. But when you want to get over that hill. You going to have to go over there with 23 he will get you over the hill.”

Harper is recognizing Pippen's greatness, but he knows what sets Jordan apart. It has always been Jordan’s competitiveness and killer instinct that make him so special. This has always been the thing that makes Jordan a step above everyone else. He wouldn’t let his team lose.