“He was the most popular teammate we had” – Horace Grant on why the Bulls loved Pippen more than Jordan originally appeared on Basketball Network.
While Michael Jordan was the face of the Chicago Bulls franchise for much of the 1990s, his teammates didn’t necessarily adore him. His tyrannical leadership crossed so many lines and caused tension in practices. Point guard Steve Kerr even got into a punching skirmish against MJ.
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The most beloved teammate crown went to ace forward Scottie Pippen. Known for his tenacious defense, Pip was approachable, funny, and compassionate. Horace Grant said Bulls players could practically talk about anything with Scottie, and the forward would listen and give helpful advice.
“He was the most popular teammate we had,” said Grant said in 2010 via NBA.com. “You could laugh with him and joke, and he wasn’t the kind of guy who got mad. He was a fun teammate, fun to be around and always cared about everyone. If you had a problem, you could always talk it out with him.”
On the hardcourt, Pippen’s personable aura also came through. He involved everyone in the offense and ensured everyone was doing all right.
“And he loved the game and the team,” Grant continued. “He was unselfish, but unselfish to a fault. We knew when he had the ball, he was going to make a play and score or find the open guy. We had some great times.”
Perfect complement
Perhaps this is why Bulls players stayed in Chicago despite MJ’s oppressive ruling style. After receiving a massive scolding from Jordan, players ran to Pippen for some guidance and clarity. The contrast in their leadership styles created the perfect mix of a team needed to succeed in the NBA.
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Another Bulls role player who could attest to that dynamic working was Steve Kerr.
“Michael was the harda—. He was the guy that was coming hard at you, and you had to be ready every single day for his criticism, his force, his intensity, and intimidation,” Kerr said.
“Scottie was the one who balanced everything out. He would put his arms around you and make sure you are ok with all the difficulty that you had to face being a member of that time. Scottie was beloved by everybody, including Michael, but he was a phenomenal basketball player,” he added.
A leader’s rise
Pippen’s leadership style was tested when Jordan retired after the 1992-93 NBA season. The championship roster was pretty much intact, and with Scottie taking over the mantle, he guided Chicago to a stellar 55-27 record.
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Though they failed to win the chip, Grant believes the season highlighted Pippen’s leadership abilities. While most analysts were surprised, Horace and the Bulls knew Scottie was a natural leader.
“That season showed his leadership and that he could carry a team,” Grant said. “He had to step into that role, and he did, and we were successful, more than anyone thought we ever could be. Everyone wrote us off, but we knew the kind of players we had, and we knew how good Scottie was. I wasn’t surprised at all.”
Pip finished third in MVP voting that season — a fact many fans have overlooked. He also made the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team.
The season was a testament to Scottie’s superior basketball skills. Without Jordan, Pippen proved he could carry his massive load and wear his shoes. Perhaps if he had been given one more full season to lead the Bulls, Pip would’ve brought them to the promised land.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.