Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen was in Spain recently for an appearance as brand ambassador for the Sanitas Foundation. It marked Pippen’s return to the country where he and the original Dream Team stamped their class in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Scottie sat down with Spanish media outlet Marca and talked about how the landscape of the game of basketball has changed, including in the NBA, where the last seven MVP awards were won by players born outside the United States and only two American players have made the All-NBA First Team in the last three seasons.
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Two of the foreign players who are dominating today’s game are three-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic and five-time All-NBA first team selection Luka Doncic.
However, Pippen said that if Joker and Luka played in his era, they would not have been as superior.
The rules have changed
Pippen explained that today’s game is played under different rules, which are designed to promote offense and scoring. While this is good for the game, it also limits the ability of teams to play physical defense, which was the trademark of the ’80s and ’90s NBA.
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Jokic stands out in today’s game because, as a big man, he doesn’t just do what a traditional big man does; he can also shoot up to 3-point range and can pass the ball with the ease of a true point guard. Aside from those, he has good handles that allow him to bring the ball up the floor and be the playmaker for his team. But great as he is today, Scottie isn’t sure if he could do what he does with the defensive pressure of his era.
“I don’t know if they could dominate. In the 80s and 90s, we used to press all over the field. Could Jokic bring the ball up against such pressure? I don’t know. Sure, he can see the court and pass very well. But I don’t know if he would be comfortable bringing the ball up from the back with that pressure,”said Scottie.
Pippen doesn’t think Luka can lead the Lakers to a title
Meanwhile, Doncic will be entering his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Luka underwent a stunning physical transformation this summer and many think he will be a strong candidate to win his first NBA MVP award. Scottie had no comment on that, but as far as leading his new team to the promised land, Pippen doesn’t believe Doncic can get back to the NBA Finals.
“I don’t know. Their style of play got them (Dallas Mavericks) to the finals. But I’m not sure if that style will get them there again. It was a one-off feat, but when they got to the finals, they didn’t have much,” he added. “Basketball is a team sport. I don’t care what great individual you go and get. That doesn’t win a championship. It has to be a great team.”
Doncic was the Western Conference finals MVP in 2024 when he carried the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. But in the championship series, a more balanced and deeper Boston Celtics team defeated his Mavs. Obviously, Pip doesn’t think the Lakers are deep enough to help Luka win.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.