Jalen Williams Draws Comparison to Bulls Legend During NBA Finals Run

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Svyato Rovenchuk | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:02 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder are two wins away from delivering the first Larry O'Brien Trophy to the city since relocating from Seattle in 2008. Despite not having hoisted the trophy just yet, the Thunder stars are already receiving lofty praise.

Jalen Williams had plenty of critics ahead of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. A lot of pundits questioned whether the Thunder star was a good enough second option next for Oklahoma City to feel good about their title chances.

So far, Williams was delivered respectable production. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has not been overburdened, as some had feared, in the process.

Williams is averaging 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 34.8 minutes per game during this playoff run. The versatility of the young Thunder star has been on display for everyone to see.

Versatility was similarly the calling card of one Chicago Bulls legend from the 1990s. That would be six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen.

Pippen has been viewed by many as the perfect running mate for Michael Jordan. The results really do speak for themselves in his case.

In his recent appearance on Get Up for ESPN, Brian Windhorst alluded to comparisons being drawn between Williams and the Bulls legend. The ESPN analyst delivered a major statement.

"There are people in this league who believe that Jalen Williams can have a Scottie Pippen-like career," Windhorst stated. "Jalen Williams was the guy who unlocked SGA throughout that whole [Game 4]. That one to maneuver could be a big thing, not just tonight, but for the next decade in the NBA."

The Thunder have had everyone's attention in recent years as the next dynasty candidate in the NBA. After a strong run of parity in the league, many believe Oklahoma City has a chance to end it. Williams would project as a large part of that.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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