Scottie Pippen wasn't annoyed to be called Michael Jordan's sidekick: 'I just wanted to let people know that I was as great a player as MJ'

When Scottie Pippen launched his book 'Unguarded' in 2021, many felt it was his reply to Michael Jordan's 2020 documentary 'The Last Dance'. Pippen felt slighted about his portrayal in the ESPN documentary, particularly when MJ called him selfish.

Jordan and Pippen were arguably the best duo in the history of the NBA. But as with any other duo, there is a Batman and a Robin. Scottie was always portrayed as the Robin to MJ's Batman. When Pippen went to MJ after the documentary, critics said Pippen got jealous and ended up straining his relationship with Mike because of that.

But during a 2021 interview with GQ Sports, Pippen denied that he was annoyed at being typecast as a sidekick.

"I don't think it got under my skin," said Pippen. "I just wanted to let people know that I was as great a player as Michael Jordan. Only one player can take home the MVP, and that's that. But beyond that, we were great teammates. We were great together. We supported each other, we won together. There's no need to think that I was selfish in any way along that journey."

Best one-two punch ever in the NBA

Immediately after joining the Bulls via the 1984 NBA Draft, Jordan established himself as a superstar and soon took the title of face of the league from Magic and Bird even while they were still playing. But before Scottie arrived, Mike was also just an incredible scorer who never won a playoff series.

When Pip came, he helped MJ win six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998. The rewards were reciprocal, though, as playing with MJ made Pippen one of the best players in the league as well, perhaps the next-best. However, because Michael was the bigger name, he also always got recognition.

Mike won 5 league MVP awards, was the Finals MVP in all of their six title runs, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The only trophy Pippen won in the NBA was the 1994 All-Star Game MVP award, which he won when Jordan retired to play baseball.

Pip blamed MJ for not winning a single DPOY award

Perhaps one of the biggest travesties of Pip's career was never winning the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. Scottie was named to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team eight straight times from 1992 to 1999. Two years ago, he blamed MJ for his inability to win the award.

"I think they were too busy watching Michael," said the six-time NBA champion on the 'Trashtalk Podcast'

There's no question that Pippen was one of the best players of all time. His being part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team is proof of that. However, it was hard playing alongside the NBA GOAT. Not only did Mike get all the recognition, but he also took home the awards. Was Pippen jealous? He claims he is not, but he does talk like he is, at times. It's hard to blame him, though.