Growing up in the rural area of Hamburg, a city located 90 miles from Little Rock, Arkansas, Chicago Bulls icon Scottie Pippen didn’t have access to many NBA games. However, the players he witnessed on television helped shape his game and evolution as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
In an interview, Pippen revealed that he admired three players in particular during his formative years: Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.
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Legends of the 1980s
As Pip began to realize that he could actually pursue an NBA career while playing at the University of Central Arkansas, he paid close attention to the games of the legendary players mentioned above, players who are largely credited with helping the league remain relevant during a tumultuous decade.
“Those are guys that had 7–8 years on me,” Pippen said in a talk with Arsenio Hall way back in 1991. “And growing up in high school and going through college, I always used to love those guys”.
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While Pip occasionally modeled his high-flying style after Dr. J, his game in the NBA resembled more of a combination of Magic and Larry’s all-around skills. While his defense was significantly better than that of the two legends, his versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways mirrored theirs.
Although he stood 6’8″, Pippen displayed steady ball-handling skills and elite court vision. He led the Bulls’ offense and often initiated their famed triangle offense.
It was ironic, though, that Pip’s tight defense on Magic decided the fate of the 1991 NBA Finals.
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“We knew that Magic was a little too big, a little too strong. And that, you know, MJ was not going to be as effective on him as we needed him to be to win the series,” Pip recalled in a separate interview.
Bulls big man Stacey King backed that notion.
“It was the defensive switch — switching you to Magic — that really kind of changed that whole series around for us to win that first championship,” he declared.
Although Magic still put up gaudy numbers, it was evident that Pip’s athleticism and long wingspan bothered him through Games 2 to 5, where he made only 39 percent of his shots.
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Humble beginnings
Pippen’s family grew up with meager resources. With 11 other siblings, purchasing a ticket to watch an NBA game was absolutely out of the question. When Hall asked Pippen about when he watched his first NBA game, the latter clarified that it was actually his debut in the league.
“I think that was the first one that I played in. That was definitely my first game,” he revealed. “One that I watched personally and was there in the arena, I was able to play in.”
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That game pitted the Bulls against the Philadelphia 76ers at the old Chicago Stadium. Pippen played 23 minutes in his rookie debut and had a good account of himself, compiling 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, a rebound, four assists and two steals. However, the rookie jitters were undoubtedly on full display as he turned the ball over four times.
With six NBA titles and a host of individual accolades highlighted by his seven selections to the All-NBA Team, Pippen etched his name in the league’s record books as one of its most versatile players. And he has Dr. J, Larry Legend and Magic to thank for it.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.