“I don’t think he wants to be a star” — Michael Jordan once shared why Scottie Pippen preferred to be a sidekick originally appeared on Basketball Network.
For all his successes as the Chicago Bulls’ superstar forward, Scottie Pippen was highly criticized for failing to transition into a legitimate superstar. Pippen was always regarded as Michael Jordan’s sidekick. Those six titles by the Bulls were seen as Jordan’s doing, with minor contributions from Pip.
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Much of the analysis was rooted in Pip’s inconsistency. He would sometimes score 15-20 points on a 50 percent clip, get at least 10 boards, seven assists, and five steals. The next game, he would suddenly produce numbers so measly you’d think he didn’t play. Meanwhile, his running mate, MJ, dropped 30 to 40 points every night and was constantly put on a pedestal as some basketball god.
Away from the spotlight
Jordan understood the criticisms hurled at Pippen. One of the most famous men on the planet in the 1990s, Mike dealt with intense scrutiny from inside and outside the basketball world. Scottie, who grew up in the small town of Hamburg in Arkansas, wasn’t keen on the fame and the flashing lights.
“I don’t think he wants to be a star because he can see some of the pressures that the stars must deal with–talking to you guys every day, the whole atmosphere of being a star, the expectations of being a star,” Jordan said in 1993, via the Los Angeles Times.
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While Air Jordan had no problems with Scottie’s apprehensions, he still firmly believed the Bulls small forward was a true superstar. The media can say whatever they want about Pip. But in Jordan, Phil Jackson, and the Bulls’ eyes, Pippen does so many things for the team that success would be light years away without him.
“He’s got a taste of it. He wants a little bit, but he’s going to have to take a lot because he’s a major emphasis on this team. And he is a star on this team,” Jordan pointed out.
“He’s got too many skills to be adequate or supporting cast. He can be a star. I mean, he’s got all the right tools. And I think everyone knows that. And I think that’s why you guys push him. That’s why we support him. That’s why he gets paid the type of money he gets.”
Hidden desire
Pippen ignored his haters, kept his mouth shut, and played hard every night. The numbers didn’t always show how good he was on the floor. He might have had only two points, but he deflected multiple passes, effectively contested shots, and boosted his team’s morale. He seemed pleased to be known as MJ’s sidekick and even wore it proudly. As long as the Bulls won, Pip had no problem with his legacy.
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But a lot can happen over the years. In Scottie’s 2021 autobiography, “Unguarded,” the Bulls legend revealed his hidden desire to be the brightest superstar in the NBA — a wish that came true when he won the 1994 All-Star Game.
“For once, it was nice to win something of my own instead of watching Michael walk off with another trophy,” wrote Pippen.
Pippen had 29 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and four steals in guiding the Eastern All-Stars to a victory. He was also 5-of-9 from 3-point country. The performance proved a lot of things. For one, Pip showed he had been working on his stroke, contrary to criticism. And two, when he puts his mind to it, and whenever Jordan is not around, he can be the best superstar in the world — even for just one night.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.