Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are known for possibly being the most successful one-two punch in NBA history.
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are often considered the second best NBA duo of all time, behind only Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. And, frankly, there’s not much I can say against it either, as this is the duo to pull off two 3-pointers on two separate occasions, a feat most teams couldn’t even pull off once.
Yet for all his success, no star remained in Chicago for his entire career.
Michael Jordan had an unlucky spell with the Washington Wizards, a team he co-owned in the early 2000s.
Around the same time, Scottie Pippen enjoyed stints with the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers in an attempt to add to his 6 championship titles. And although he never got those rings, he enjoyed more success than Michael Jordan during this period. Heck, Scottie and the Blazers even made it to the Conference Finals in 2000.
Also Read: Michael Jordan Once Revealed He Would Pay $5 To Watch Scottie Pippen Play Outside Any NBA Player
It was during Scottie’s time in Portland in 2002 that the former star duo met for the first and last time in the NBA. The Wizards were a background team and Michael Jordan was in the latter stages of his career. Scottie and the Blazers were also on the decline, but they were still destined for the Playoffs.
It’s safe to say that the reunion was interesting in a completely different way than fans expected.
What happened in the only matchup between MJ and Pippen in NBA history?
Well, Scottie and the Blazers absolutely crushed Michael and his Wizards. The Wizards were in such bad shape that even with Michael Jordan on their books, they couldn’t get any points on the board.
Pippen finished the night a respectable 14-7-5 with 2 steals and a block in 27 minutes. Jordan scored as much as Pippen, but delivered a lackluster 14-5-1 stat on the contrary.
Here are the highlights of a 98-79 blowout for the Blazers.
This may not be the most memorable matchup in any of their careers. But, given the feud between the two today, Scottie Pippen is likely to laugh every time he remembers the beating he gave the GOAT.
How did the duo end their career after their meeting in 2002?
Michael Jordan was on his farewell tour in the NBA while his confrontation with Pippen was taking place, as he had made it clear that this season would be his last.
Scottie Pippen still had some wind in his sails as he completed the season with Portland even reaching the Playoffs. However, that’s where he ended the fairy tale, as the team made its exit in the first round.
Afterward, Pippen returned to his beloved Chicago Bulls for one last NBA dance.
The Bulls had been a struggling team and they hoped that regaining some of their own championship pedigree would spur their rebuild. It just didn’t happen, however, and Pippen retired at the end of his first season with the Bulls.
Pippen, 42, emulated his former teammate Jordan and returned from retirement. However, Scottie’s return was not to the NBA. No, Pippen decided to briefly represent Torpan Pojat and Sundsvall Dragons, two Scandinavian outfits, before retiring for good.
Still, while they may not have gone strong, the duo retain their status as NBA royalty and will forever be celebrated by disciples of the game.
Also read: 6’6 Michael Jordan would not return to Chicago if Jerry Krause traded Scottie Pippen for Shawn Kemp
