The NBA is a very different league now than it was when Scottie Pippen was still playing. During his time, the former Chicago Bulls star and the rest of the association played a more physical brand of basketball. Few players were making more than five 3-point attempts every game, and the game was low-scoring. However, the violence was toned down in the contemporary scene, and even role players try a lot of shots from the ground.
It’s hard for fans not to compare the difference in how players, especially stars, performed. Even players from the past have pointed out the obvious contrast. The most recent former NBA player to discuss it was Pippen. He also gave his thoughts about how he’d perform in the modern league.
Given that he experienced the tough and physical play of the 1980s and 1990s, the six-time NBA champion expressed that he’d do well. According to him, his style of play fits well with how teams like to play a fast-paced system.
“I’d do very well. The game has changed, sure — it’s more up and down now — but my style fit that kind of play even in the ’80s and ’90s. I don’t think it would be a big challenge,” Pippen said in an interview with Daniel Arribas of “El Pais”.
The seven-time All-Star was asked if he thinks he’d be the best player in the modern league. Scottie Pippen did not hesitate and said this:
“Yes, I think so. There’s no reason to think otherwise. If I worked as hard as I did back then, I believe I’d easily be among the best.”
With the rule changes since Pippen was in his prime in the 90s, it’s interesting to see how he’d do against stars like Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Scottie Pippen has strong opinions about questions about Michael Jordan
Scottie Pippen found success in the league while playing alongside Michael Jordan with the Bulls. It’s been a while since the two have been on the court together, but the fans and the media don’t waste time and ask questions about each other when given a chance.
In the interview with Arribas, Pippen was asked to rate his level of fatigue based on a scale of 1 to 10 when questioned about his former co-star.
“Then I’d say probably a 12,” the Hall of Fame player said.
“Yes, definitely. I’ve been used to it since my first day in the NBA. Everything has always revolved around Michael Jordan. But you know, I’m happy I was able to leave my own legacy and not have to talk about him all the time.”
Due to their dominance in the 1990s, the two stars had a significant role in the Bulls’ history.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
