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Scottie Pippen knows a thing or two about winning, as the Basketball Hall of Famer captured six NBA titles as the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman on the ’90s Chicago Bulls’ teams, as well as snagging an Olympic gold medal with the Dream Team in 1992. So to question Pippen’s ability to dissect what it takes to build a championship team might be foolish.
However, that’s exactly what I’m doing today, because, for all that he’s accomplished, Scottie Pippen once again just poked an already motivated LeBron James by questioning if, at nearly 35 years old and entering his 17th NBA season, James can carry his Los Angeles Lakers to a title. C’mon, Pip, you should know better than that.
Talking to SLAM magazine, Pippen was asked which Los Angeles team, the Clippers or Lakers, has the edge now that both franchises have made power moves by acquiring superstars — with the Lakers landing Anthony Davis and the Clippers pairing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George together. Smartly, Pippen said the Clippers, which, on paper, seem to have the better roster. But then he gave his reasoning, and, sorry, but questioning the ability of LeBron James should never be a reason for picking another team.
Per Clutch Points, via SLAM:
“I would probably say the Clippers just because of where they were last year and the players that they have,” Pippen told Drew Ruiz of SLAM. “They already have the confidence and feel like last year they dominated the Lakers. Now, you give them the Finals MVP and one of the top defenders in the game in Paul George. That sends their confidence up through the roof. With the Lakers, I don’t think a guy going into his 17th season can really carry a team the way he needs to carry [it].
“I think LeBron will be competitive. Having Anthony Davis out there is going to give him a bit of an edge. I think they’re going to be a lot more in terms of when they face the Clippers because they have too many guys they can throw at LeBron. They already have thrown Beverly at him, so now you got Kawhi to throw at him, Paul George to throw at him. Anthony Davis is going to be a tough matchup night in and night out, but he’s only one player.
“LeBron James is not going to be a tough matchup. He’s going into his 17th year in the League. You’re talking about Kawhi who’s still in his 20s [and] Paul George is probably still in his 20s. It’s a changing of the guard and they’re probably going to have the pass the torch over and let the Clippers be the best team in Los Angeles.”
There are some things that just can’t be explained in life, and LeBron James’ basketball ability, no matter his age, is one of them. Sure, Scottie Pippen is entitled to his opinion, and he brings up some good points, but James is being talked about as the GOAT, and is built differently than most players before him; including Michael Jordan. He’ll run out of steam at some point, but he takes care of his body and mind, and, if given the opportunity in the playoffs, he’s still the guy most teams would want leading them in a do-or-die situation.
The rivalry between the Clippers and Lakers has never been this high. The games in L.A. have never been this highly anticipated. And, with James-Davis going against an experienced Clippers team led by Leonard-George, it’ll be must-see TV the entire season — and, like Scottie Pippen, everyone has their reason(s) for why one team is better than the other.