Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen formed one of the greatest duos in NBA history as they led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in the 1990s. The two are beefing now, however, and their former teammate Scott Williams was asked about the situation and if he thinks the relationship can be mended.
"I'm saddened by some of the things that I have heard from Scottie and Horace (Grant)," Williams said. "Even on the Last Dance or after that or in the rumor mill or talking to the guys in the inner circles of the NBA, some of the things that are being said because those teams were so special."
Williams, who won three NBA titles in his four seasons with the Bulls from 1990 to 1994, says he never saw any kind of tension between Jordan and Pippen when he was in that locker room.
"Maybe I was young and dumb and oblivious to some of the workings that were going on because I was an undrafted rookie just trying to fight to stay in the league, happy to have my spot on the bench," Williams continued. "But, I never saw that side of bitterness or bickering or jealousy. That was something new to me that came out during the Last Dance and thus thereafter."
Williams remembers everything being rather harmonious back then and believes Jordan might have felt he got stabbed in the back.
"We were like brothers and to have seen this family fractured the way that it is, it really makes me sad and breaks my heart," Williams added. "To answer your question will they ever mend this? Man, I know MJ and he feels probably a bit like they have stabbed him in the back for all the things that he helped us all accomplish and I don't know how much time would have to pass before he would finally say he is ready to — I don't ever see him forgetting or forgiving I'll be honest with you."
I completely agree with Williams. Jordan has shown over the years that he is not the kind to forgive and forget. Once he thinks you have crossed a line, there is no going back. Jordan hasn't spoken to Charles Barkley in over 10 years after Barkley criticized him for the way he was running the Charlotte franchise.
The two were best friends at one point and if Jordan can completely cut him off, he can do it to anyone else. Considering Pippen has said far worse things than Barkley, I would say the bridge has completely burned down.
Scottie Pippen Called Michael Jordan A Horrible Player
In 2023, Pippen said Jordan was a horrible player. He claimed it was horrible to play alongside him as all he did was play 1-on-1 and take bad shots. Pippen also stated that Jordan used the "Last Dance" documentary to gain relevance in the modern era.
The documentary was really what caused the relationship to fall apart, as Pippen was not happy with how he was portrayed. He has not been shy about expressing just how much he disliked it.
Williams spoke about the "No Bull Tour" in that clip too and it seemed like it might make the relationship between the former teammates even worse. Pippen, Grant, and Luc Longley were going to be on it, and they were to speak about Jordan and the Bulls. While many expected them to talk negatively about Jordan, they actually didn't.
Pippen also recently said Jordan is the GOAT, but I don't believe there is anything he can do now to fix the relationship.
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