ESPN’s The Last Dance: Predictions for episodes 7 & 8

2. Pip becomes Scottie

Scottie Pippen had always been “Pip” before Jordan’s earth-rattling departure from the game. Pip, as in the sidekick, the ideal background singer that held down the fort for the illustrious lead star, i.e, the Gladys Knight that was responsible for running the show.

Knight in Chicago’s case was, of course, Michael Jordan.

But when Jordan grew weary of the group act and opted for a more standalone solo career, Pippen had no choice but to step up and embrace his newly appointed commander-in-chief’s role. It was a position he thrived in.

Pippen had always been capable of alpha stature based on the breadth of talent alone. He was wildly athletic, had a silky smooth stride and polished offensive game. The prowess of his defensive IQ and length were unmatched at the time. Most NBA teams would’ve utilized him as an undisputed leading two-way superstar.

But Jordan’s presence, in essence, stunted his full growth.

What most fans and analysts thought would be a short trip to the basement realms of the league for the Bulls without Jordan in the picture ironically couldn’t have served the team better.

None reaped the benefits more though than Pippen.

Just ask Dennis Rodman. In a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Rodman asserted unequivocally, “when Jordan left…Scottie Pippen was the best player in the world. He led the team in EVERY category.”

When you look at the numbers, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment.

Pippen showed up and showed out during those two seasons. He posted the best 3-point shooting numbers of his career up to that point while supplanting the 20-point mark for the first time his career.

He snatched a league-leading 2.9 steals per contest in ’94-95, also leading Chicago in all five major statistical categories — one of only five players to ever do so in history. He was named an All-Star for his efforts in both campaigns as well.

Jordan returned to the league late into the 1994-95 season. Once he was reunited with Scottie, who had earned his own newly acquired wings for takeoff during Jordan’s hiatus, the two formed a duo that exuded enough formidable intimidation on the rest of the league to make their previous incarnation crumble in comparison.