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Pippen says he'll probably retire

April 15, 2004

 

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Scottie Pippen said Thursday he will probably retire following an injury-shortened season in his return to the Chicago Bulls.

 

But Michael Jordan's old sidekick also hedged a bit, as he has all season.

 

``This is probably it for me,'' Pippen said, the day after the Bulls completed a 23-59 season -- the first time in his 17-year career he has missed the playoffs. ``I'd rather not make a 100 percent commitment. But I'm quite sure that this is probably my last season.''

 

Pippen was brought back to give a young Bulls team leadership and experience, but he had knee surgery in December and played in only 23 games.

 

Pippen, who will turn 39 in September, was voted one of the NBA's 50 greatest players as the Bulls captured six championships in the 1990s.

 

He was traded to Houston in 1999, played one season with the Rockets and then spent four years in Portland. He signed a two-year, $10 million deal to return to Chicago in the offseason and averaged 5.9 points.

 

Asked to reflect on his career, Pippen told reporters: ``I don't want to reminisce about it right now. I may come back and play next year, you never know.''

 

Reminded that Jordan made two comebacks after retiring, Pippen said: ``He came back a few times. I guess I can come back once.''

No matter what happens. Pip has had an outstanding career. This season didn't go as hoped. But nobody will ever forget his contributions to those 6 championship teams.

I thought Pip said he was going to retire at the end of this season before the season was over?

I thought Pip said he was going to retire at the end of this season before the season was over?

Pippen is another Michael, he can't handle not playing.

Do we have to pay his ass next year?

Do we have to pay his ass next year?

I don't think we do if he decides to retire...

Means u guys can prob use the mid level exception again this offseason. Possible targets could be Manu Ginobli, Mark Blount and Quentin Richardson.

Sadly, I'll remember him more for:

The Migraine

The "I'm not getting the ball" Pout

Sadly, I'll remember him more for:

The Migraine

The "I'm not getting the ball" Pout

...and the coattail ridin'....

...and the legendary nickname, "No Tippin' Pippen"...

Sadly, I'll remember him more for:

The Migraine

The "I'm not getting the ball" Pout

If you're gonna remember him for all that, then remember him for the shut down defense he played against Magic in the 91 finals, The comeback he led in gm 6 of the 92 finals with 4 bench players. The way he killed the Knicks and Suns in 93. The way he single handedly took this team to 55 wins and gm 7 of the 2nd round with NO JORDAN. And we all know we would've won that series if not for Hue Hollins. U guys get the point. I'm not sayin Pip was perfect. He made some mistakes. But give him credit for the things he did right. It's one thing for Pip to get no love in other cities. But to be in CHICAGO and not realize that Jordan didn't do it BY HIMSELF is sad.

Pippen shouldn't be hated on. He was the 2nd best player on that team and will probably get into the Hall of Fame for the simple reason of what he did with the Bulls.

He'll probably be remembered as the 2nd greatest Bull in History, but no way Micheal and the Bulls could have won those 6 championships w/o him.

He'll probably be remembered as the 2nd greatest Bull in History, but no way Micheal and the Bulls could have won those 6 championships w/o him.

I agree he is a great player, a HoF player, and I have many memories of he and MJ shutting down teams with their D. I was always more impressed with the Bulls D during those runs then their offense. Pip has the longest arms I've ever seen on a court.

 

But to say that they wouldn't have one 6 without Pip? Maybe too far. We'll never know who would have been in that slot and the mix on the team.